Unintentional injuries lead to 39.5 million physician office visits each year. Another 24.5 million people have to visit an emergency room for their injuries.
If you were recently in an accident someone else’s negligence caused, you may want to consider hiring a personal injury lawyer.
Are you asking yourself, “Do I need a personal injury lawyer?” “What types of personal injury cases do attorneys work on?” Keep reading to find out!
After reading this guide, you can determine if your situation falls under personal injury law. Then, you can hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to take your case. With their help, you can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Winning compensation from your lawsuit will allow you to pay off your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more. You can read more to discover seven different kinds of personal injury cases.
1. Medical Malpractice
When you visit a doctor, you expect them to uphold a certain standard of care. Unfortunately, doctors can make mistakes that could have costly repercussions. These instances happen more often than you might think.
In fact, medical errors are the third-leading cause of death. They’re ranked behind heart disease and cancer.
If you were injured due to a doctor’s negligence, consider requesting personal injury legal services. Your personal injury lawyer can help if you experienced:
• Improper treatment
• Medication errors
• Pharmacy errors
• Misdiagnosis
• Surgical errors
• Failure to diagnose
• Birth injuries
What does a personal injury lawyer do in these instances? They’ll likely hire a medical expert to work on your case. A medical expert can prove that the physician failed to uphold the standard of care.
You’ll need to prove you had a patient/doctor relationship with the professional who caused your injuries. Then, you’ll need to prove negligence. You’ll need to indicate how the injury led to damages, too.
Your personal injury lawyer can walk you through the entire process. With their help, you can prove the physician’s negligence caused your injuries. The compensation you receive can cover your medical bills, medications, and other losses.
2. Product Liability
Despite vigorous testing, dangerous or defective products can still end up available for consumer purchase. These products could lead to serious injuries. For example, you might use an item at home or operate machinery at work.
If you were injured after using a defective product, consider hiring a personal injury lawyer.
Different items fall under the category of “defective” products, including:
• Vehicle parts
• Drugs/medications
• Medical devices
• Consumer products
• Foods
• Children’s toys
• Toxic materials and chemicals
First, make sure to find a personal injury lawyer who has years of experience in the industry. They’ll have a better understanding of the laws and procedures relevant to your case.
As you review these different types of personal injury cases, try to find a lawyer who specializes in your type of case. Determine how many similar cases they’ve won in the past few years, too.
Your personal injury lawyer will help you determine your legal options. In a product liability case, you can hold the individual or business responsible. You might want to consider who manufactured, designed, marketed, and sold the item.
Your lawyer will help you fight for the compensation you need to cover your injuries.
3. Auto Accidents
Car crashes occur every day, leading to serious injuries and property damages. If you were recently in a crash, don’t wait to call a personal injury lawyer.
Your personal injury lawyer can request the officer’s police report. They’ll review your medical records as well. They might also call on witnesses when building your case.
The evidence they gather can prove the other driver’s negligence caused the crash. Then, you can receive a payout to cover repairs to your car and medical bills.
Make sure to find a personal injury lawyer who covers crashes similar to your circumstances. For example, did your crash involve a bike or motorcycle? Perhaps you were in a rideshare vehicle.
Their previous experience would help strengthen your case.
4. Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Do you have a loved one who is currently staying in a nursing home or senior care facility? It’s important to make sure they’re receiving proper care. Otherwise, there’s a chance the staff is neglecting your loved one.
Nursing home neglect means your loved one isn’t receiving proper care. They could develop bed sores or fail to receive the medications they need.
About 95% of nursing home residents have experienced or witnessed neglect. If your loved one isn’t receiving proper care, call a personal injury lawyer. They’ll prove the nursing home put your loved one’s health at risk.
5. Premises Liability
Were you recently hurt on someone else’s premises? Ask yourself, “Do I need a personal injury lawyer?” If you sustained serious injuries, the answer is likely yes.
Perhaps you tripped over uneven flooring or a loose cable. If you were injured at a store, restaurant, or mall, call a lawyer. They can prove there were defective or dangerous conditions that caused your accident.
6. Workplace Accidents
Accidents can happen at work, too. What does a personal injury lawyer do in these cases? They’ll file a claim under the Workers’ Compensation Act.
Your lawyer will ensure you have the funds necessary to cover your medical treatment or temporary disability.
These laws can vary based on the state you’re in, though. Make sure to find a lawyer with experience practicing in the state in which the injury occurred.
7. Wrongful Death
Many of these situations can lead to a wrongful death case. Perhaps you lost a loved one due to an accident. Make sure to call a personal injury lawyer who can fight at your side.
They’ll ensure you receive compensation for your loss, as well as your pain and suffering.
Make Your Case and Call a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you were recently hurt, it helps to know you’re not alone. Call a lawyer if these types of personal injury cases sound familiar. They’ll ensure you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.