LAW

What Sorts of Cases are Handled By Personal Injury Attorneys?

The broad legal field of personal injury covers physical, psychological, and reputational damages. It covers everything from auto accidents to assaults.

A lawyer with experience in personal injury law can help you recover compensation for your injuries and losses. These damages include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Auto Accidents

You might be entitled to financial compensation if a negligent driver caused an accident that injured you or a loved one. Florida Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers can help you determine whether you have a case, how much your claim is likely worth and how to proceed with the claims process.

You can receive two main types of compensation in an auto accident case. The first type covers monetary losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.

The second category of damages, known as noneconomic damages, makes up for intangible losses like mental suffering, physical pain, a loss of enjoyment of life, scarring, or disfigurement.

You could also win punitive damages if the other driver’s actions were reckless or wanton. These damages are awarded when a defendant intentionally violated the law, was reckless or showed a complete disregard for your safety.

Intentional Injuries

When someone intentionally causes harm to another person, it can lead to both a criminal case and a civil lawsuit with the help of personal injury attorneys like New Jersey Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers. The standard of proof in a civil suit is much lower than in criminal prosecution.

Intentional injuries often occur due to various risk factors and determinants, including alcohol or drug use, bullying, sexual abuse, poverty, economic or gender inequality, unemployment, inadequate supervision of children and other societal influences. In many cases, these risks are exacerbated when people have access to firearms or different types of violence.

Population surveys were done with students in Pohnpei (n = 1495), Vanuatu (n = 4474), and Tonga (n = 2808) aged 11 to 17 to investigate the intention of injury. The surveys looked at the prevalence of intentional injuries from any source, the sources of self-reported injury, and various behavioral, psychological, educational, and social variables. The results suggested that bullying, being excluded or ignored by other students at least once a week, and smoking were associated with increased odds of intentional injury in all three societies.

Medical Malpractice

Doctors, nurses, dentists, anesthesiologists, physical therapists, pharmacists, and diagnostic imaging technicians can commit medical malpractice if they deviate from the accepted standards of care in their field. This can result in patients receiving substandard care, leading to various consequences, including death.

A significant part of a medical malpractice lawsuit is examining and depositing a physician’s witnesses under oath by a patient’s attorney. This testimony is usually taken before a trial so that all parties can meet at a convenient time and place to gather facts.

In New York, doctors must have a “certificate of merit” before any malpractice lawsuit can be filed against them. This requirement is designed to prevent frivolous or unfounded lawsuits from being brought forward in the first place.

Wrongful Death

If your loved one was killed because of another person’s negligence, you and your family might have legal rights. A wrongful death lawsuit can help you receive closure and financial compensation for losing your loved one.

While no money can fully compensate for your losses, it can give you some measure of peace. In addition, a wrongful death lawsuit can allow you to hold those responsible accountable and prevent future injuries or deaths.

Damages awarded in a wrongful death lawsuit typically include economic damages (known as “pecuniary”) and noneconomic damages. Monetary damages include funeral expenses, medical bills, and lost wages.

Noneconomic damages can be more challenging to determine, including pain and suffering, loss of companionship, emotional distress, and more. However, some states limit the maximum amount awarded for these damages. Whether you can recover these damages depends on how the case is presented and what type of evidence you have.