Have you ever been injured in an accident caused by someone else's negligence? If so, you're not alone. Every year, thousands of people file personal injury cases to recover damages for medical bills or lost wages caused by a preventable accident.
From auto accidents to medical malpractice, here are five of the most common types of personal injury claims and some key facts about them.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can be an unexpected and unpleasant part of life. While they are often taken lightly or joked about, they can lead to the very real potential for injuries, especially as we age.
In order to keep yourself safe, watch out for and how avoid some common causes of slips and falls.
When inside a commercial building, look out for wet floors or spilled liquids that may not have been marked yet. Slow down on stairs, especially in the dark or when carrying something, as it increases your chances of having an accident. Outside the home, uneven pavement or ice should be a sign that it's time to put caution first and anticipate the possibility of slipping. Taking care to wear suitable footwear outside is also crucial - consider winter boots with a good grip if frequent outings in cold weather are necessary.
By being mindful of the potential hazards around us, we can catch potential dangers before they catch us off-guard.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are an unfortunate reality for drivers around the world, and when one occurs, there is often a sense of confusion about who is responsible. The law varies from state to state regarding fault determination in car accidents, but generally speaking, it is based on the actions of each driver involved such as how they were driving or if any signals were properly used.
It’s very important to gather all relevant evidence at the scene and file a claim with your insurance company to get the help you need. When filing the claim make sure to use resources like police reports, photos of the scene, and other eyewitness accounts so you can build your case and determine liability.
Finally, always keep copies of all signed documents that are related to your claim just in case any disputes arise later. Taking these steps will help ensure that justice is served even after an accident has happened.
Medical Malpractice
Medical Malpractice occurs when a medical professional fails to provide the standard of care that a patient should reasonably expect and is then harmed as a direct result of their negligence.
This type of negligence encompasses mistakes or oversights made during a medical procedure or even failure to recognize symptoms correctly, which can lead to incorrect diagnoses, mistreatment, unnecessary treatments or surgery, and birth defects.
While most medical practitioners strive to provide safe and effective treatments, errors occur and they must be held responsible if they cause harm to patients. Victims of this type of negligence may be entitled to compensation which will vary depending on the extent of the injury and any associated costs that have been incurred due to it.
Product Liability
Product liability law provides safeguards for consumers from suffering harm caused by dangerous or defective products. When companies rush to bring products to the market or act negligently in producing, labeling, or marketing them, it can lead to serious injury for individuals who use their products.
To protect society and ensure people are held accountable for making unsafe goods, strict rules are enforced on companies concerning product safety and warnings. Individuals affected can seek compensation through product liability claims that can help cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering among other hardships caused by a faulty product and its consequences.
Workplace Accidents
When an employee is injured on the job, it's important to understand the employer's liability under the law. Depending on the circumstances, employers in the United States may have some liability for workplace accidents and injuries that happen to their employees. For example, if a worker was injured due to hazardous conditions or faulty equipment provided by the employer, or if a manager or supervisor was negligent in issuing explicit instructions for tasks that need to be done, there may be potential legal action available to the injured employee.
While workers' compensation covers medical care and other costs caused by work-related injuries regardless of fault, it can often be worth investigating whether a lawsuit against an employer is feasible in order to maximize financial compensation.
Employers should make sure they implement adequate safety protocols and provide appropriate training so that workplace accidents can be prevented as much as possible.
We Can Help Injury Victims
If you’ve sustained an injury as a result of negligence, you deserve justice. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our office right away to learn more about how we can help.
Call our skilled attorneys at (202) 589-1300 or contact us online to get in touch with a member of our team about the details of your case right away. We will fight to recover your full and fair compensation.