Understanding Personal Injury
A comprehensive guide to personal injury law, the most common types of claims, and your rights to compensation.
What Constitutes a Personal Injury?
"Personal injury" is a legal term referring to an injury to the body, mind, or emotions, as opposed to an injury to property. Personal injury lawsuits are filed against the person, company, or entity that caused the harm through negligence, gross negligence, reckless conduct, or intentional misconduct. The primary goal of personal injury law is to make the injured party "whole" again by providing financial compensation for the losses suffered.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
Motor Vehicle Accidents
This is the most frequent type of personal injury case. When accidents happen because a driver violates traffic rules or isn't driving carefully, they can be held financially responsible for injuries resulting from the crash.
Slip and Fall Incidents
Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. If an owner neglects hazards like wet floors or broken stairs, leading to an injury, a premises liability claim may be viable.
Medical Malpractice
These claims arise when a doctor or healthcare professional provides treatment that falls below the accepted medical standard of care, causing injury or worsening a patient's condition.
Workplace Accidents
When employees are injured on the job, they are typically entitled to workers' compensation. Additionally, a third-party claim can sometimes be brought against someone other than the employer who contributed to the injury.
What Compensation Can Be Claimed?
If you win or settle a personal injury case, you are awarded money known as "damages." The amount depends on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life. Damages usually cover:
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Medical Bills: Compensation for emergency room visits, hospital stays, doctor appointments, therapy, and estimated future medical care.
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Lost Wages: Compensation for the time missed from work due to the accident, as well as loss of future earning capacity.
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Pain and Suffering: Financial recovery for the physical pain and significant discomfort suffered during and after the accident.
Not Sure If You Have a Case?
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