What are the most common types of personal injury cases?
Being injured in an accident is not something you ever expect would happen to you. However, thousands of people get injured every day in accidents through no fault of their own. When that happens, the victim can be left dealing with long-term consequences such as chronic pain, lost wages, and a pile of medical bills. Talking to an injury lawyer can help you shed light on your legal options and understand what types of damages you are entitled to recover after being injured in an accident. Read on to learn more about the most common types of personal injury cases.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the main culprits when it comes to causing injuries that will call for extensive medical treatment. They can also be responsible for you not being able to go to work and losing wages. Car accidents also result in damage to your personal property like your car and other valuables that you may have had within it.
Slip and Fall Accidents
The owner or manager of a property has a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors and guests. They must ensure that there are no hazardous or dangerous conditions present when others are around. However, when they fail to uphold their legal duty and someone is injured on their property, they may be found liable for the incident. If you slip and fall and injure yourself, you should let the owner or manager know and call the police to file a report. A personal injury attorney can help you file a claim and get the compensation you deserve.
Accidents in the Workplace
Although employers have to carry workers’ compensation to protect their employees in case of workplace injuries, benefits tend to be denied for a variety of reasons. Still, the laws related to workers’ compensation are complicated, and working with a personal injury attorney may be your best bet to get you the benefits you deserve.
Product Liability
Businesses are supposed to market products that have been tested and found to be safe. Yet, defective products seem to make their way into consumers’ hands. You may be injured by a product that malfunctions but also by something you eat or drink, by a medication that does not do what it is supposed to do, by being exposed to chemicals in a product that was not supposed to contain them, and for many other reasons. The consequences of being injured by a defective product can be with you for a long time and, in some cases, may become permanent. Companies that design and sell defective products can be held liable when their products cause harm.
Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are those that carry long-term, life-altering consequences. Many of them can lead to a permanent disability, and this may be accompanied by the need to receive ongoing medical care. The financial burden to victims who sustain catastrophic injuries is also relatively high, which is not helped by the fact that a catastrophic injury prevents the victim from going to work and making a living.
Catastrophic injuries include:
- Amputations
- Animal attacks and dog bites
- Brain injuries
- Burns
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- PTSD
In order to assess how the injury has impacted your life and livelihood, as well as how these costs will affect your life in the future, a personal injury attorney can help you evaluate and document your injuries and fight to get you the compensation you need. Your claim may also include damages for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, the impact of your injuries on your personal and professional life, and even punitive damages in some cases. Working with a lawyer is the best way for you to be able to concentrate on recovering your health while they take care of the legal side.
