When you’re injured, you may not know where to turn. You could go the traditional route and see a doctor, or you could try to take care of things yourself. If your injury is serious, though, you may need to seek legal help. That’s where personal injury lawyers come in.
But what kind of cases do personal injury lawyers handle? The answer is: pretty much any type of case that involves an injury. Personal injury lawyers can help with car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and more. They have the experience and knowledge necessary to get you the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured and are looking for legal help, contact a personal injury lawyer today. They’ll be able to review your case and give you the best possible advice. Don’t try to handle things on your own – let a professional take care of it for you.
9 Types of Cases Personal Injury Lawyers Handle
No one likes to think about how their life could change in a moment. Someone else hits your motorcycle; your child is run over by a school bus; someone else’s negligence causes you serious injury. Unfortunately, personal injury lawyers assist people whose lives have been changed because of the carelessness of another person.
1) Auto accident
The most common type of personal injury case that happens every day in America involves an automobile accident.
Whether it’s a head-on collision with two cars and multiple injuries or a rear-ender involving whiplash and other soft tissue damage, car accidents can result in extensive medical bills and permanent disabilities for clients throughout the United States.
Lawsuits stemming from car crashes seek compensation for pain and suffering as well as reimbursement for property damage, lost wages, and medical expenses.
2) Slip and fall
Slip and fall accidents are also quite common. They can happen on public or private property, whether it’s a grocery store, an amusement park, or someone’s home.
These accidents typically involve a person slipping on water, grease, or some other substance that has been spilled on the ground and then suffering injuries as a result.
Property owners can be held liable for slip and fall accidents on their premises if they do not take reasonable measures to correct the hazardous condition or warn people of its presence.
3) Medical malpractice
Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are supposed to help patients recover from illness or injury, but sometimes they make mistakes that have devastating consequences.
Medical malpractice cases involve situations in which a healthcare provider breaches the standard of care owed to a patient, resulting in serious injury or death. Victims and their families can seek financial compensation for the damages they have suffered through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
4) Product liability
When people are injured by defective products, they may have grounds to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer or distributor. These lawsuits arise when a product is found to be unsafe because of a design flaw, manufacturing defect, or inadequate warning label.
In order to win a product liability case, the plaintiff must typically prove that the product was defective and that this defect caused their injuries.
5) Nursing home abuse
The elderly and those who are disabled are often entrusted to the care of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Unfortunately, not all of these caregivers take their responsibility seriously, and some patients are subjected to physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
Nursing home abuse cases can be difficult to prosecute, but with the help of a personal injury lawyer, victims and their families may be able to get the justice they deserve.
6) Wrongful death
When someone dies as a result of the negligence or intentional act of another person, their family may file a wrongful death lawsuit.
These cases can involve car accidents, medical malpractice, or any other type of incident in which someone is killed due to the recklessness or wrongdoing of another.
A wrongful death lawsuit seeks damages for the losses suffered by the victim’s loved ones, including funeral expenses, medical bills, and lost income.
7) Assault and battery
Assault and battery is the intentional act of causing someone else harm, either through physical violence or the threat of violence.
These cases often arise in the context of a criminal prosecution, but they can also be the basis for a civil lawsuit seeking damages from the person who caused the injury.
In order to win an assault and battery case, the plaintiff must typically show that they were injured as a result of the defendant’s actions and that this injury was caused intentionally.
8) Dog bites
Many people are bitten by dogs every year, and in many cases, the dog’s owner is liable for the injuries sustained.
A dog bite victim can file a personal injury claim against the dog owner (or the owner’s insurance company) for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and psychological counseling.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in this country.
9) Slip or trip and fall accidents
Slip or trip and fall accidents happen more often than most people realize, whether it’s an oil spill in a parking lot or uneven pavement at someone’s house.
Victims of slip or trip and fall injuries may be entitled to compensation for their losses if they can prove that the property owner was negligent in allowing them to occur. A person who slips ice while entering their home could file a lawsuit against their homeowner’s insurance company, for example.
Conclusion
If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, it is important to speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. These attorneys can help you understand your rights and determine if you have a case worth pursuing.
A personal injury lawyer can also increase the likelihood of a positive outcome by helping you gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies and file your case in court if necessary.