Understanding the Different Types of Personal Injury Cases

If you have been injured, it’s advisable to seek the help of a skilled personal injury attorney to increase your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve. Your lawyer will liaise with the insurance company to ensure that all matters are handled appropriately and that you are not accepting an inadequate settlement.

Most personal injury cases arise from someone else’s misconduct, ranging from negligence to more serious recklessness. Some examples include:

Car Accidents

Collisions between motor vehicles account for the majority of car accident-related injuries, and they can lead to severe physical pain and financial hardship. For example, medical bills can quickly add up, and you may go days, weeks, or even months without receiving a paycheck if your injury keeps you from working.

Suppose you are injured in a car accident. In that case, the party who caused your crash must compensate you for the costs related to your injuries, including property damages, medical expenses, and lost wages. A Bakersfield personal injury attorney can help you collect the evidence to prove your losses and pursue appropriate compensation. These lawyers routinely handle car accident cases and understand the full extent of victims’ injuries.

Slip-and-Fall Accidents

A slip-and-fall accident is a personal injury case that involves someone falling in a dangerous condition. This could include a wet floor in a grocery store or an icy sidewalk. It falls under a legal category called premises liability.

This means the property owner may be responsible for the victim’s injuries. The property owner could be a private person, business, or government entity.

If the injured person reports the incident to the highest-ranking individual on the property, this can help the case. Also, getting medical treatment immediately helps as well.

If your injury is permanent, it might increase compensation to cover future expenses such as pain and suffering. Also, if you reside in a state that follows pure or modified comparative negligence, your compensation will be reduced depending on the percentage of fault you hold for the accident.

Birth Injuries

Medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, and delivery can lead to birth injuries. These can be physical or neurological and cause lifelong disabilities like cerebral palsy.

These types of injuries often stem from medical malpractice, such as failure to recognize fetal distress, excessive use of delivery instruments, and improper medication management during pregnancy. They can also be caused by long and complicated labor, obstructed labor, and premature birth.

A successful birth injury settlement can help pay for treatment, medications, and therapy. It can also cover future costs and lost wages. A reputable lawyer can handle the legal proceedings while parents focus on their child’s care. If needed, the incident will be investigated thoroughly, and evidence will be gathered to determine the best course of action. If a lawsuit is necessary, negotiations and litigation will be pursued to resolve the matter.

Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries can devastate a person’s physical health and ability to earn a living. In some cases, these injuries may even lead to death, which would qualify as a wrongful death lawsuit.

A personal injury case involving a workplace accident can involve claims based on negligence, fault, and strict liability. It can also include third-party claims if the injured person was caused harm by a dangerous condition on someone else’s property, such as a poorly maintained sidewalk or building.

Many people are required to file workers’ compensation claims when they are hurt on the job. However, victims can still pursue a personal injury case to recover compensation for damages outside the limits set by their workers’ compensation claim, such as medical expenses, future loss of income, and pain and suffering.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death cases are a type of personal injury lawsuit filed by surviving family members after the death of a loved one due to another person’s negligent or reckless actions. In many cases, additional damages are incurred beyond the typical monetary compensation provided in a personal injury lawsuit. These may include expenses related to the funeral and burial of the deceased, compensation for the pain and suffering they endured before passing away, and intangible benefits such as companionship.

Unlike general damages, these special and non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify. Law courts may consider some factors in determining the appropriate amount of compensation, including the deceased’s income history, potential future income, the extent to which the victim depended on the deceased, and more. Depending on state law, punitive damages are sometimes available in wrongful death claims.