More times than not, filing a law suit against the company or individual who has caused you injury is unavoidable because the injured party is left with accrued medical bills and has lost wages due to time taken off from work. If you have questions about who is responsible for paying the medical fees, the mounting household debt, and other issues that have arisen as a result of another’s negligence, your best option is to consult a reputable personal injury attorney who can answer your questions and possibly help you file a claim. Here are some of the most common types of personal injury claims that are filed along with information about your legal rights.
Car Accidents
Millions of road and traffic injuries are caused each year by careless drivers who may or may not carry insurance on their vehicles. A driver who has caused a car accident can be held legally responsible for property damages and physical injuries even if that person carries “no fault” insurance. According to Kitchen Simeson Belliveau Llp, personal injury lawyers in Whitby, you should do the following until you can consult with a personal injury attorney: seek medical attention to document your injuries, do not speak with the opposing insurance company or provide a “recorded statement,” take pictures of the accident scene and your vehicle, and only provide general information to the responding officer.
Dog Bites
In most circumstances, a dog owner can be held legally responsible for bites and other injuries caused by his or her dog. Along with the circumstances that caused the dog bite or attack, there are two primary laws that influence the outcome of a dog bite claim. Strict liability laws state that a dog owner is responsible for any injuries caused by the dog; the “one bite” rule states that a dog owner is only liable if the dog has previously bitten someone. The exact laws vary from state to state.
Medical Malpractice
When a doctor makes a mistake that results in a patient’s injury or death, a medical malpractice claim can be filed to recover monetary damages. Patients may also file a medical malpractice claim if the doctor misdiagnoses or neglects to diagnose a medical condition. There are statutes of limitations on the amount of time a patient has to file a malpractice claim.
Assault and Battery
According to the Bureau of Justice, an average of 2 million simple assault cases occurs every year. If a person physically attacks another, the attacker can face criminal charges and be sued in civil court for any physical injuries and emotional distress caused to the victim. Domestic violence and alcohol are the primary causes of the majority of assault and battery cases.
Work-Related Injury Cases
Many times people are forced to file work-related injury cases outside of workers’ compensation benefits because the insurance benefits are barely enough to cover the medical expenses associated with the accident. Work-related injuries can be caused by, industrial pollution, anyone in the workplace, and even the injured party. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that approximately 3 million non-fatal work-related accidents occur every year.
If you decide to protect your legal rights and pursue punitive or compensatory damages after you sustain an injury caused by someone else, you should contact a personal injury lawyer in your state today. Many attorneys will provide a free consultation to explain your options and help you regain some normalcy and peace of mind.