Types of Personal Injury Lawsuits
No matter how hard we try, every circumstance in life cannot be under our control. Other factors come into play that makes our experiences unpredictable, whether that includes nature, freak accidents, or other people. Unfortunately, personal safety can never be guaranteed as we move about our days.
However, the law is designed to help keep us safe as much as possible. Sometimes, though the law cannot prevent accidents from happening, it can hold those responsible for the incident accountable for their actions. When you get injured because of another party’s negligence, that is when you might have grounds for a personal injury claim.
Personal injury claims allow injured victims or their relatives to pursue compensation that will cover damages that resulted from the incident. Damages can include medical bills from the recovery period, lost wages from missed time at work, property damage, funeral costs, and even noneconomic damages like pain and suffering. Let’s take a look at a few examples of personal injury lawsuits that can occur.
Medical Malpractice
If you are under the care of a medical professional and their negligence leads to injury, you might have a case for a medical malpractice claim. Maybe you were scheduled for surgery and a mistake was made during the procedure that led to a longer recovery period and you missed out on potential income. A healthcare practitioner could also administer the wrong medication. In these types of scenarios, the person’s negligence led to your injury and damages occurred, in which case you might be able to pursue compensation to cover those losses.
Motor Vehicle Accident
One of the most common personal injury lawsuits is a motor vehicle accident claim. Driving comes with many dangers, from heavy machines moving at high speeds to busy roads and intersections. Accidents are often the result of one or more drivers behaving recklessly or not paying attention. For example, the driver of a sedan could fail to check their blind spot before switching lanes and end up hitting a motorcyclist that they didn’t see. If the rider can prove negligence with the help of a motorcycle accident lawyer, then they could win a settlement to cover medical bills, emotional trauma damages, and more. If you have been in a vehicle accident that was someone else’s fault, consider reaching out to an attorney who specializes in collisions.
Workplace Injuries
If you are an employee, then you may have heard or read about worker’s compensation for workplace injuries. In some industries, like construction, workplace accidents lead to bodily harm all the time. When this happens, workers are allowed to claim compensation while they recover from their injuries. However, if the company or another employee is at fault, then personal injury is on the table. Workers would then have the right to file a claim against the at-fault party to receive additional compensation to cover damages. This is very beneficial for injured victims when worker’s compensation does not cover all the necessary expenses. If negligence is involved, then a personal injury lawsuit could be successful in addition to worker’s compensation.
Dog Bite
That’s right, even man’s best friend can become involved in a personal injury lawsuit. If an owner fails to restrain their pet and the dog attacks you and causes injury, it is possible to file a claim against the owner. As long as you can prove that you did not antagonize the animal and invade the property on which the dog resided, then you will have a strong case for winning this personal injury lawsuit.
Product Liability
Defective products are another cause of some injury cases. If you are using a product as it is intended to be used, but some malfunction or defect causes you to be injured, then this would fall under the product liability umbrella. Consumers have a right to expect safe products when they purchase from a brand, and this lawsuit helps to protect consumers from dangerous situations. It also helps to hold companies responsible that may not have perfect quality assurance practices in place. When you hear about product recalls, they often start with victims filing a product liability claim successfully.
Other Cases
There are plenty of other examples of personal injury lawsuits that you may encounter in the future. Cars and motorcycles are not the only vehicles out there, and getting into an accident involving trucks, boats, and pedestrians could also result in a personal injury case. Furthermore, there are claims that fall under the premises liability category. In this scenario, a property owner is at fault for putting other people in danger, either due to hazardous conditions that cause a slip and fall or substandard safety protocols. In the most extreme circumstances, at-fault parties could be part of a wrongful death claim if negligence led to a loss of life.
Understanding your rights is crucial when navigating these circumstances. In many cases, victims will accept initial offers from insurance companies or other entities, even if that amount does not cover the total losses. It is always wise to seek out legal representation to represent your interests in these matters.