A personal injury lawyer provides legal services to those who claim to have been injured, physically or psychologically, as a result of the negligence of another person, company, government agency, or any entity. Personal injury lawyers tend to practice primarily in the area of law known as tort law.
The word “tort” comes from a Latin term meaning twist, wrong, or harm. In contrast to criminal law, a tort action does not involve the government prosecuting the wrongdoer. Rather, these cases involve a private plaintiff seeking compensation (usually money) for the harm caused by the defendant’s actions.
A tort case can become formalized through civil court proceedings that seek to find others legally at fault through a court judgment or, as is much more common, such disputes may be resolved through informal settlement before any lawsuit is filed.
5 Incidents That Require a Personal Injury Attorney
1. Wrongful Death
A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil lawsuit that seeks to recover damages from the responsible party for the loss of life and related expenses. The victim’s family members may be able to file a wrongful death suit when:
- The defendant was negligent or reckless and this negligence caused the victim’s death
- The defendant acted intentionally and the victim died as a result
- The defendant acted negligently but could have anticipated injury to others (such as in a drunk driving accident)
In some cases, criminal charges may also be filed against the person who committed the act that resulted in the victim’s death. A wrongful death suit and criminal charges are separate matters; families may be awarded damages in a civil suit even if no criminal charges are filed, and vice versa.
2. Healthcare Liability
When a patient visits a doctor or healthcare provider, they expect to receive the highest standard of care. In most cases, providers are well-trained and give patients the treatment they need to recover from an injury or illness. But not every medical situation is the same, and some doctors make errors that can be devastating for their patients.
If this happens, a personal injury attorney can help hold negligent providers accountable. An attorney can help you determine whether your case has merit based on the facts of your situation.
If there are grounds to proceed with a lawsuit, your lawyer can file the claim on your behalf, gather evidence and witnesses, and help you navigate the legal process along the way.
3. Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings by force, fraud, and coercion for sexual exploitation or forced labor. This crime affects millions of people around the world including thousands in the United States. The victims of human trafficking include men, women, children, and undocumented immigrants.
If you’ve been a victim of human trafficking, you can seek monetary compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible for your injuries. The damages you may be able to recover include current medical expenses related to your injuries as well as medical costs projected into the future.
4. Daycare Injury
Many daycare owners and employees take great care to provide a safe, healthy environment for children, but accidents can happen. From falls to allergic reactions to medication errors, anything that causes an injury to a child while they are at daycare may be grounds for legal action.
A personal injury attorney can help you sort through your options if you believe negligence caused or contributed to your child’s injuries. They will work with you to identify whether negligence was involved, determine who the negligent parties were, assess what your losses were, and help you get compensated for those losses.
5. Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is unfortunately common. There are many types of sexual abuse, including sexual assault, rape, child molestation, and human trafficking to name a few. These types of acts can happen anywhere: at home, at school or work, or even in public.
Knowing what to do if you have been a victim of sexual abuse can be confusing and emotional. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to know that there are resources out there to help you. A personal injury attorney can help protect you from further damage while holding the perpetrator responsible for their actions.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct, you may be eligible to receive compensation. You can then use this money towards your medical expenses, household bills, and more.
As with any legal matter, it’s best to hire a personal injury attorney when going through this process. These professionals understand the laws surrounding your claim and will work on your behalf. They can also advise you on whether you should make a claim or not.
