Over 400,000 personal injury cases are filed in the U.S. every year. Personal injury law is designed to help victims of negligence or intentional harm get compensation for their injuries. Unlike criminal law, which aims to punish the offender, personal injury law seeks reimbursement for the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of an injury.
Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers deal with a wide range of cases that fall under this umbrella. From car accidents to medical mistakes, this area of law covers a variety of incidents. Here are some of the most common types of personal injury cases.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car crashes make up a large portion of personal injury claims. Around 6 million motor vehicle accidents are reported in the country annually. Whether you are a driver, passenger, or cyclist, you can file a claim if someone else’s negligence caused the accident. For example, a distracted driver ended up causing a T-bone collision that left the victim with serious injuries.
Driving under the influence, speeding, ignoring traffic rules, and distracted driving are some of the most common causes of accidents. Injuries can range from minor cuts to life-altering trauma like spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injuries. Compensation can cover everything from medical bills to lost income and pain and suffering.
Medical Malpractice
We trust medical professionals with our lives, but unfortunately, mistakes happen. Medical malpractice happens when a doctor, nurse, or hospital fails to give a victim the standard of care they expect. Nearly 20,000 medical malpractice cases are filed in the U.S. every year. According to the American Medical Association, there are around 11 claims per 100 doctors under 40.
Examples of medical malpractice include:
- Misdiagnosis
- Surgical errors
- Prescribing the wrong medication
Medical malpractice cases are complex since they require an expert to show that a practitioner’s mistake caused the harm. For victims, such a mishap can even cost them their lives.
Slip and Fall Cases
Slip and falls are under premises liability cases. These accidents can happen anywhere from grocery stores to hallways in an apartment building. Another instance is if a property owner does not maintain safe conditions or warn visitors about hazards, and they end up getting hurt.
Slips and falls might seem minor, but they pose the risk of serious injuries like fractures, concussions, and chronic back problems, especially among the elderly.
Product Liability
When a product turns out to be dangerous and defective, you may have a product liability case. This applies to things like faulty car parts, unsafe toys, electronics, or dangerous medications.
These injuries can happen because of poor design, manufacturing defects, or a company’s failure to give proper warning. Product liability cases target multiple parties, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
Conclusion
Other cases that fall under personal injury law include wrongful death, dog bite injuries, assault and battery, construction accidents, and nursing home abuse. Whether you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one, the law is designed to give a victim justice. Speak to a lawyer who will guide you through the process and help you understand your options.