Common Types of Personal Injury Claims

No one starts their day thinking they will suffer a significant injury. With that said, the potential for injury exists in everyday life. Every time you get in your car, there is a chance you could get in an accident. Depending on the severity, the injuries could affect you for the rest of your life.

Most people don’t know how to handle a personal injury. This is especially true if they might need to file an insurance claim or seek legal compensation. In fact, many people are unaware of the many ways they might suffer a personal injury and need to file a claim.

Traffic Accidents

Car accidents happen to be one of the most common causes of personal injury claims. Thousands of people are injured in motor vehicle accidents every year in the US. With the forces involved in car crashes, the injuries are often quite severe. The individual may need months to recover. Their medical care can also be costly. These individuals often need the help of an attorney to recover damages. If the individual dies, their family might need to file a wrongful death claim.

Premises Liability

Premises liability is another common type of personal injury claim. These claims arise when a person is injured on the property of another person or a business. Slips, falls and trips are common causes of premises liability claims. They can also happen as the result of an object falling on a person in a store. The liability of the property owner can also vary depending on the condition that led to the injury. It can also depend on how the injured party came to be on the property. This is why it can help to work with a slip and fall lawyer for one of these claims.

Medical Malpractice

We need to trust the medical professionals who administer our healthcare. As much as we need to trust them, they can make mistakes or act negligently. When this occurs, it can lead to severe injuries for the victim. If you are injured through the course of medical care, you might need to file a medical malpractice claim. This type of claim can be very complicated. It requires a lawyer with some healthcare knowledge to ensure a fair outcome.

Assault

Most personal injury claims occur as a result of something someone did unintentionally. If the injury was caused by an assault, the opposite is true. One person attacks another, and it results in serious injury. In that event, the victim can file a lawsuit against the attacker for financial and emotional damages. One issue that can complicate these cases is that there might be a criminal component. The victim may also need to cooperate with law enforcement if charges are leveled against the perpetrator.

Dog Bites

Being attacked by an animal can lead to serious injuries. However, the most common type of animal attack involves dogs. Most dogs never attack anyone, but when they do, they can cause all sorts of injuries. Puncture wounds and lacerations are common in dog attacks. Dogs can even break bones when they bite a person. When injuries occur, the animal’s owner can be held liable. These cases can also be complicated. For example, the owner might not be liable if they can prove the person was provoking the dog before the attack.

Product Liability

The vast majority of products are safe for their intended purpose. With that said, new products are released all the time. Some of these products may have the potential to injure users. If a product is defective or not fit for its intended purpose, it is a risk to consumers. When these products injure people, it could lead to claims against multiple parties. For example, the victim might have claims against the manufacturer, distributors and sellers. A knowledgeable product liability lawyer will be able to find all the relevant parties in this type of case.

Workplace Injuries

People suffer injuries at work all the time. In some cases, the employer is not at fault. However, if working conditions are unsafe, it might be a reason to file a claim. For example, if the employer had employees using faulty equipment or working without the proper safety gear, it could lead to a lawsuit. Harmful substances could be another issue. If the working conditions expose people to chemicals or other substances that could compromise the worker’s health, it could be another reason for a claim.

There are so many ways a person can be injured. In most cases, personal injury claims arise as the result of things that happened accidentally. However, there are intentional injuries as well. There are also situations when a person should have known they were exposing others to risk.

If you are ever injured and believe it to be the fault of another person or a business, you need to consult an experienced attorney. Most of these claims are very complex. An attempt to deal with it on your own could result in you compromising your right to compensation.