There were 45,523 personal injury cases filed in 2020. Experiencing an injury due to someone else's negligence or wrongdoing can be extremely difficult. Not only are you faced with physical pain and emotional trauma, but you also have to deal with medical bills, lost income, and other expenses that the injury may cause.
In some situations, hiring a personal injury lawyer is crucial in order to protect your rights and receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
In this article, Bill Winters, a recognized personal injury lawyer in Tampa, Florida, shares 8 situations where consulting with a personal injury attorney is highly recommended:
1. Premises Liability
Property owners are responsible for maintaining safe conditions on their premises. If you've slipped and fallen, tripped over an unsafe condition, or been injured on someone else's property, you may have a premises liability claim. 39% of cases settle with compensation, so speak with a lawyer.
2. Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injury, with 5.2 million motor vehicle injuries reported in 2022. Even minor collisions can result in long-term health issues like whiplash or back pain. If you've been injured in an auto accident, a personal injury lawyer can help build your case and fight to recover compensation for medical bills, vehicle damage, lost wages, and other losses.
3. Medical Malpractice
An infamous BMJ article claimed 251k Americans die each year due to medical errors. Doctors and other healthcare providers have a duty to provide proper treatment and meet the standard of care. If you or a loved one has been injured by a medical mistake, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
4. Defective Products
Product-related injuries increased by 6.8% in 2021. When a defective product injures you, the manufacturer or distributor may be held legally responsible. A product liability lawyer can build a claim around a design defect, manufacturing defect, or failure to provide adequate warning labels on dangerous products.
5. Workplace Injuries
There were 5,486 fatal workplace injuries in 2022. If you are injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. However, these benefits are often limited, especially if your injury resulted from employer negligence. A personal injury lawyer can help you file a lawsuit to recover additional damages in a workplace accident case.
6. Dog Bites
4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Dog bite injuries cause physical and emotional trauma along with potential scarring, infections, or nerve damage. The dog owner may be held liable, especially if they knew the dog had a history of aggression.
7. Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing Home Abuse Justice receives reports of 5 million cases of elder abuse every year. Nursing home residents are vulnerable to neglect, physical abuse, and other forms of mistreatment. A nursing home injury lawyer can investigate the case, deal with state agencies, and file a lawsuit against responsible parties to obtain justice and compensation for victims.
8. Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one is painful enough without having to deal with financial burdens and loss of support. In cases of wrongful death due to negligence or intentional harm, a personal injury attorney can file a lawsuit seeking damages on behalf of grieving family members. This compensation can help cover funeral costs, lost future income and benefits, and loss of companionship.
Consulting an attorney is highly advised to protect your rights and receive full and fair compensation if you’ve sustained a personal injury.
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