If you have sustained injuries to your body or mind due to another party’s negligent or deliberate acts, you have the right to file a personal injury case. The goal of personal injury lawsuits are to ensure that injured parties are properly compensated for the damages that they sustained. Here are five common kinds of personal injury cases.
Auto Accidents
It is estimated that almost 6.6 million cars were involved in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2019. Car accidents are a common cause of severe personal injury in the country. They can result in internal injuries, broken bones, persistent neck and back injuries, disfiguration and burns, loss of limbs, paralysis, and traumatic brain injury.
Vehicular accidents are usually attributed to distraction, recklessness, or driving under the influence. The circumstances surrounding every car accident are unique and laws can vary between states. Police reports can help to establish fault but having an attorney with experience in your type of accident is integral to make sure that you receive proper compensation.
Premises Liability
Property owners are legally obligated to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. Property owners can be found negligent if they do not take measures to address a safety hazard or prevent a risky situation. Therefore, should you have suffered an injury due to an unsafe condition on someone else’s property, you can hold them accountable.
Slip and fall claims are some of the most common personal injury cases. These cases can cover a variety of incidents, including slipping on a wet store floor, tripping over uneven paving stones, falling in a poorly-lit place, or not having adequate handholds on a flight of stairs. The failure to post proper signage warning users of hazards can also be considered negligence.
Dog bites can be covered under premises liability as well. If you were bitten by a dog on another person’s property, the property owner can be liable for the injuries caused by the animal. Laws regarding dog bites vary according to state. Some states require proof that the dog had a history of aggression, while other states are extremely strict in favor of the complainant.
Medical Malpractice, Drugs, and Devices
We trust our healthcare professionals to provide a standard of care and look after us to the best of their training and abilities. However, there have been incidences where medical practitioners end up causing a patient more harm than good. Medical malpractice claims can be made against healthcare professionals for misdiagnosis, concealing or fabricating information, altering test results, and prescribing dangerous medication.
In addition, there are thousands of injury and wrongful death incidents that occur in the U.S. due to dangerous drugs and defective medical devices. It can be scary to think that some over-the-counter and prescription drugs can cause damage. Sadly, defective drugs do exist. When these medications result in injury or death, you can hold drug manufacturers responsible.
Similarly, devices such as metal-on-metal hip implants and defective hernia mesh have resulted in severe harm. Companies who manufacture these protects can be liable for producing defective equipment, failing to perform adequate safety testing, and failing to warn of potential risks. Companies who market these products can also be found negligent if they knowingly promote and sell dangerous medical devices.
Intentional Assault
Intentional harm is slightly different from other personal injury cases because the harm sustained was deliberate and not due to negligence or an accident. The perpetrators of such acts will usually face criminal charges. Nonetheless, the victim should also file a civil personal injury case to receive compensation for their emotional and physical injuries.
Civil suits are particularly helpful for victims of sexual assault or abuse. Numerous high-profile cases as such those against the Catholic Church and academic institutions have been pursued. Unlike criminal court, where defendants must be found guilty of a crime beyond any doubt, civil cases only need to determine if the accused is liable for the injuries sustained by the complainant.
Workplace Injuries
People get injured on the job every day. Generally, when you get injured in the workplace, you will be told to file a workers’ compensation claim. However, you can often also pursue a case against the person or company liable for your injuries. Some companies require voluntary resignations to receive workers’ compensation so an additional payout can contribute to your financial security while you recover.
Your employers have a duty of care to ensure that your workplace is safe. If your injury occurs due to a preventable hazard like a slippery floor or harmful working environment like poor ventilation, they can be found accountable. Additionally, if you were injured by a piece of machinery, the manufacturer of the machinery could be held responsible as well.
Personal injury litigation is a large and varied field. Hence, it is essential to engage experienced firms such as Chaffin Luhana LLP Injury Lawyers to champion your case. These plaintiffs-only law firms are focused on helping victims find justice, however complex the case. If you have a personal injury grievance, contact a competent attorney today and exercise your right to a fair compensation.