What do you know about the field of personal injury law? Unless you have been involved in a claim or an accident that falls under this category, you probably do not know too much. It is the kind of subject that becomes relevant very suddenly and is ideally never encountered in the first place. Unfortunately, we cannot control everything in the world around us, so injuries caused by others can happen at any time.
Personal injuries occur when people are physically hurt due to the negligence of another party. The victim experiences injuries that result in damages. Such as lost wages, medical bills, and emotional suffering. Then, the victim can file a claim against the at-fault party to receive compensation that covers those damages. They will need to prove that the defendant was at least partially responsible for the injuries and subsequent damages.
You may be wondering what types of injuries would make you eligible for a claim. Here are some of the most common types of personal injuries that you could file a claim for.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
One of the most common personal injury categories is motor vehicle collisions. This does not just refer to cars. It can also involve commercial trucks, motorcycles, and even boats. Victims could be the drivers of other vehicles, passengers, or even pedestrians. Vehicle accidents occur in the thousands every day across the country, and when people are injured because of another driver’s negligence. They have the right to file a personal injury claim for compensation.
Dog Bites
Did you know that if you get bit by another person’s dog? You could file a claim against the owner to cover the damages. If certain circumstances are met. Then you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, or non-economic damages. For example, if the dog was improperly restrained in public, or you were legally invited onto the owner’s property and attacked. Then the owner could be held liable for the incident.
Medical Malpractice
When healthcare professionals do not perform the expected standard of care, patients are injured as a result. They may have a medical malpractice claim on their hands. These individuals are responsible for providing a certain duty of care. So when they fail to uphold or meet that standard, they open themselves up to lawsuits. Common medical malpractice suits involve anesthesia errors, surgical errors, and incorrect diagnoses.
Nursing Home Abuse
Long-term care facilities for seniors are supposed to meet their increased physical needs to improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, abuse and neglect can occur from both staff and other residents. Nursing home medication errors, bed sores, physical abuse, and negligence, among other circumstances, can all lead to claims by the affected victims that have been injured as a result.
Premises Liability
If you are a property owner, then you have a responsibility to maintain safe premises. Anyone who gets injured from either a temporary or permanent hazard could file a personal injury claim against you if they can prove you had knowledge of the hazard and failed to take action to rectify it. However, victims could also be at fault for ignoring warning signs. Determining who is at fault for premises liability cases is often the most complex step in the process for this type of personal injury.
Defective Products
When a company creates a physical product, consumers should expect to be safe when using it. Unfortunately, manufacturing defects, design flaws, and insufficient warning labels can cause customers to be injured when using certain products. Injured victims must be able to prove that user error was not the cause of the incident and that a defect or flaw in the production of the item was the cause.
Birth Injuries
Often, birth injuries can fall under the medical malpractice umbrella, but they are common enough to mention separately. The process of giving birth is always dangerous for both the mother and the baby, and any mistakes by healthcare professionals could yield severe consequences. Parents of children or mothers who suffered from birth injuries because of the actions of medical staff can file claims against the individual or the hospital responsible.
When in Doubt, Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer
This list does not include every circumstance that may qualify a victim for a personal injury claim. Most people do not have law degrees, so it may be hard to know whether or not you could file a compensation claim. If there is any doubt about your legal rights, contact an experienced injury attorney who can help you figure out the next steps.
If they advise you on filing a claim, you can work with them to build a strong case and pursue full compensation. Remember that you do not have to go through this process alone and you deserve to get back on your feet financially. Seek out legal counsel and initiate a claim to hold the negligent party responsible when you get injured.
