Personal injury law addresses the physical and emotional harm caused by one or more acts of negligence that are committed by another party. The primary goal of a personal injury claim is for the victim to receive compensation for diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating one or more injuries, as well as cover the costs associated with property damages and lost wages.
Each state has passed laws that define how to assign blame for personal injury incidents. Some states assign blame based on a percentage of fault, while other states operate as strict liability states. The underlying principle of personal injury cases is to present enough convincing evidence that proves fault.
What Cases Qualify as Personal Injury?
Personal injury law breaks down into five broad categories of incidents.
Car Accidents
From another driver running a red light to someone texting while driving, proving negligence for auto accident cases requires the submission of persuasive evidence. Distracted driving represents one of the most common causes of car accidents.
Slip and Fall Accident
Slip and fall accidents occur mostly because of the negligence of a business. For example, if you slip and fall at the grocery store because an employee did not mop up a spill in time, you might be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries.
Workplace Injuries
The workplace represents a danger zone for many reasons. Although workers’ compensation covers many types of workplace accidents, when negligence is involved, the victim has the right to seek monetary damages by filing a civil lawsuit.
Product Liability
Defective products that cause harm to consumers are the cornerstone of product liability law. Examples of well-publicized product liability lawsuits include Monsanto’s Roundup, Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder, and the infamous class action lawsuit against cigarette manufacturer Phillip Morris.
Premises Liability
While slip and fall incidents primarily happen at businesses, premises liability incidents mostly unfold on private property. As an example of a premise liability lawsuit, you grabbed a railing in a neighbor’s home and the railing broke free from the wall. The injuries caused by your fall might qualify you for just compensation.
Types of Monetary Damages
Your personal injury attorney’s most important job is to get you the compensation you deserve after a personal injury incident. Compensation pays for medical bills, such as the running of diagnostic tests and participation in treatment programs. You also can file a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages for the costs associated with physical therapy sessions, prescription medications, and the use of an assistive device.
Each personal injury case introduces different factors that determine the outcome of raking legal action.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
Hiring a personal injury lawyer can help you gather and organize enough persuasive evidence for a judge to issue a favorable judgment. Your legal counsel also prepares your case for trial, if the other party refuses to negotiate a settlement. Schedule a free case evaluation to learn more about the personal injury legal process.
