There are around 40 million personal injury cases in the U.S. every year requiring medical attention. These cases include a wide range of injury cases, from workplace and construction accidents to motor accidents and medical malpractices. In all of these cases, a personal injury lawyer is a common hope for the victims and their families.
For context, unintentional injuries are the most common cause of death in the U.S., which affects around 59 thousand people every year. And personal injury law is a branch of civil law that provides a legal framework for victims of negligence or intentional actions. However, the scope of personal injury law extends beyond road accidents.
In this article, we will discuss cases in which a personal injury lawyer can help victims get the justice they deserve.
1. Workplace Injuries
A recent study revealed that 90% of all workplace injuries are caused by the worker’s own mistake. However, hazardous working conditions or other negligence are responsible for the remaining 10%. The causes vary from slips and falls to overexertion and exposure to hazardous substances on the job.
These injuries can cause long-term disability, lost wages, and significant medical expenses. When faced with a workplace injury, it’s imperative to file a worker’s compensation claim to receive adequate financial support and medical care.
However, the claim process can be lengthy, complex, and time-consuming. It’s advisable to seek legal help to make the whole process much less cumbersome and navigate the legal landscape in your state effectively. According to TorHoerman Law, seeking legal help will allow the victims to focus on their recovery instead of the claim.
A personal injury lawyer specializing in workers’ compensation will be crucial to getting the help you deserve. The lawyer will ensure proper documentation, gather evidence of the negligence at the workplace, and negotiate with the insurance companies to maximize compensation.
2. Medical Malpractice
According to the latest data from National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), 10% of all deaths in the U.S. every year are caused by medical errors. For the uninitiated, medical malpractice occurs when an individual is injured because of a healthcare professional’s negligence.
Common medical malpractice cases include delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, medical errors, surgical errors, anesthesia errors, and childbirth injuries. In order to prove negligence in medical malpractice cases, victims need to prove that the healthcare professional breached their duty of care. And this breach caused injuries and damages to the victim.
The process involves seeking professional medical opinion to establish the standard of care required. And how the healthcare professional’s action in your case fell short of the standard care. A personal injury lawyer can help victims navigate legalities by investigating and analyzing medical reports, expert testimony, and other evidence.
3. Product Liability
Product liability refers to the legal liability of manufacturers and sellers when a defective product harms consumers. These defects can be in the product design, manufacturing, or marketing (false marketing or inadequate warnings). It could be any product, from consumables to medical devices.
According to data from 2013 to 2022, U.S. product liability cases increased from around 3,400 to 6,000 annually. Product liability laws determine whether the manufacturers should be held responsible and compensate the victims.
The critical principle of product liability is strict liability. This means that victims don’t need to prove negligence; they only need to prove that the product they purchased and consumed was defective, resulting in harm. A personal injury lawyer is crucial to investigating the defect, identifying the responsible parties, and building a case against them.
4. Premises Liability
Premises liability law covers injuries resulting from hazardous conditions or negligence on someone’s property. Owners of properties like malls, shopping complexes, restaurants, and other such commercial places have a legal liability to maintain safe premises. They are accountable for injuries caused by their failure to maintain safe premises.
These injuries could include slip and fall, dangerous conditions, or inadequate security. In fact, according to Injury Facts, close to 50,000 people lost their lives to falls in 2022. Seeking legal help from a personal injury lawyer will help victims scrutinize the incident, gather evidence of negligence, and build a strong case while focusing on recovery.
All of these cases are more commonplace than you might think. From a nasty fall at work to an allergy caused by a consumable that didn’t have adequate warning on the label, you can incur a personal injury at any time. A personal injury is crucial to help you navigate the complex legal process and get you the justice you deserve.