A personal injury is classified as a wound that a person suffers from that is either emotional, physical or a combination of both. A personal injury case is a lawsuit that is filed as a result of that negligence or reckless conduct. But what exactly are the situations that it includes? And how do you know when to make a claim?
Well … in this article, we’re going to take a look at ten of the most common types in detail.
Motor Vehicle Injuries
Motor vehicle crashes are the most common type of personal injury claim in the US, and with more than six million happening every year, you can see why. The causes for these accidents vary, but here are a few of the most common reasons:
- Running red lights/stop signs
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted driving (using a phone/mobile device)
- Animal crossings
- Speeding
- Driving in poor weather
- Fatigue
For example, if you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, personal injury lawyers can help; they are both reliable and professional.
Medical Negligence
Medical negligence occurs when a doctor — or another medical professional — does not provide adequate care to a patient. This could be something like making a surgical error (that is more than a mistake), giving incorrect medication, misreading or ignoring lab results, and prematurely discharging a patient.
If you believe that you or a family member has been treated with negligence, it’s crucial to speak to the right professionals and gather the necessary evidence. This type of claim can be challenging to prove, as mistakes do happen.
Public Slips and Falls
Slipping and falling may seem like a straightforward injury, but it can actually cause a lot of damage. From back and neck problems to brain injuries. Some individuals have had chronic pain for the remainder of their lives due to slipping on a wet floor. Alongside this, severe damage can put you out of work for quite a long time.
Dog Bites
Any domesticated animal bite can be a type of personal injury, but dogs are definitely the most common. Owners are responsible for their behavior and must ensure that they are trained and secure at all times. Some dog bites can be life-threatening, may put an individual out of work, and can even impact one’s mental health. At the end of the day, dog owners need to be prepared for their pets’ potential to attack.
Premises Liability
Premises claims are made when an individual is injured in an accident on another’s property. This could be due to unsafe swimming pools, stair/porch collapse, elevator defects, and in some cases, fires. Building owners are required by law to ensure that they are safe and maintained at all times. So if you have been affected, you may be able to make a claim.
Workplace Accidents
A workplace accident occurs when an employee gets injured on the job. This could be due to insufficient training, faulty equipment, or unsafe conditions in the workplace. By filing for a claim, you can make sure that you receive compensation for any medical expenses and missed income. Many laws surround the worker’s compensation policy, so if you have concerns, you should seek advice. If you are worried about protecting your career after a workplace accident, click here for more information.
Dangerous and Defective Products
When a business creates a new product, it must follow strict rules and manufacturing procedures. This includes thoroughly testing the product before it is released on the market. Failure to do this could mean that a defective item is purchased, resulting in injuries to the unsuspecting customer. Some examples of previous faulty products include:
- Toys with choking hazards
- Car tires that cause accidents
- Apparel with irritating fabric
- Cosmetics that cause harmful side effects
Food Poisoning
While food poisoning claims might not be talked about much, they certainly do happen. If a restaurant, caf, or supermarket causes you to be ill due to their negligence, you can file for compensation. However, this can be tricky to prove, especially since there could be other reasons for your illness. Evidence will need to be obtained through a medical diagnosis. In many cases, you will be more successful if others have had similar experiences.
Defamation
Defamation occurs when an individual suffers due to publicized slander. This results in personal humiliation, lost earnings, and disgrace. Here are a few examples to make things a little clearer:
- Accusing and falsely stating a restaurant served food with bugs, which then causes them to lose customers.
- Spreading rumors about an affair, which then damages an individual’s reputation.
- Falsely stating that a company participated in illegal activities, which results in losses.
- Hurting an individual’s reputation by claiming they stole something from your home.
In order to be successful with your claim, you need to prove that severe financial loss or hardship came from the defamation. However, sometimes the legal fees outway the compensation, and it may not be worth pursuing anything.
Assault
Last on the list, and one of the more serious personal injury claims is if you have been assaulted intentionally by a group or individual. This is not due to negligence but is a result of another’s persons poor decision. Many of these claims include other legal and criminal aspects due to their severity. However, they do still fall under the personal injury umbrella. This is because the injured may be seeking compensation for medical bills and lost work.
Final Thoughts
When taking a look at the different personal injury claims above, it is definitely apparent that most are the result of unforeseen circumstances. Many of them can happen to anyone at any time. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get assistance. When it doubt, speak to a legal professional, and they will be able to tell you if you will be able to put together a case.
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