Personal injury lawsuits are a complicated and often emotional legal process. When an individual is injured due to the negligence or intentional actions of another person, they may be entitled to compensation for their damages. In Philadelphia, there are several common types of personal injury suits, including slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, car accidents, product liability, and wrongful death. It is essential to work with experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorneys or law firms to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Most Common Types of Personal Injuries You Can Claim
Below are common ways victims are injured through others’ negligence.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners have the responsibility to keep visitors to their property safe by removing any hazards on the property. Generally, these hazards put visitors at risk of slips and falls, but they can also be items or conditions that put visitors at risk of being burned, electrocuted, or injured from a falling or projectile object. Examples of common premises hazards include:
- Broken stairs and handrails;
- Frayed electrical cords;
- Unsecured carpets;
- Broken sidewalks;
- Sinkholes; and
- Open flames.
Medical Malpractice
We trust doctors and other healthcare providers to work diligently and warn us of potential complications and risks associated with our health conditions and treatments. When a healthcare provider does not uphold his or her responsibility to explain medical risks to patients, test them thoroughly to obtain accurate diagnoses and create appropriate treatment plans, or to obtain each patient’s consent before performing medical procedures, he or she may be held liable for the patient’s damages related to an act of medical malpractice. A few examples of healthcare provider negligence include:
- Diagnosing a condition incorrectly;
- Giving a patient the wrong type of medicine for his or her condition or an incorrect dosage;
- Failing to warn a patient of the risks associated with his or her treatment before performing the treatment; and
- Failing to perform medical treatments with sterile equipment or in a sterile environment, putting the patient at risk of developing an infection.
Car Accidents
Most of us drive our cars every day. When you are a driver or passenger in the car, you share the road with other cars and passenger vehicles, motorcycles, commercial trucks, buses, and pedestrians and bicyclists. When any other party on the road breaks the posted traffic laws or acts recklessly, you and other motorists can be injured. A few examples of reckless behavior on the road include:
- Driving drunk or under the influence of another drug;
- Using a cell phone while driving;
- Driving tired; and
- Driving in an aggressive manner.
Many different injuries can result from a car accident, like broken bones, burns, traumatic brain injuries, and cuts.
Product Liability
Product liability refers to the legal responsibility of manufacturers, distributors, and sellers for the safety of their products. If a product is designed, manufactured, or labeled incorrectly and causes injury or harm to a person, the manufacturer or seller may be held liable for damages. Product liability suits can be complicated and require an in-depth understanding of product design, manufacturing, and marketing practices. If you have been injured by a defective product, you should seek the advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer or law firm.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death occurs when an individual’s death is the result of another person’s negligence or intentional actions. Medical malpractice, car accidents, and other types of personal injury are examples of this. If you have lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your loss. A personal injury lawyer or law firm can help you navigate the legal system and get the compensation you deserve.
Seeking Compensation For Damages Following a Personal Injury
With any personal injury claim, the claimant needs to prove the following:
- Another party had the duty to protect the victim from harm, even if that duty simply meant following the posted traffic signs;
- Because of the negligent party’s actions, the victim suffered an injury; and
- Because of his or her injury suffered in the accident, the victim suffered specific economic damages.
You can prove these facts through evidence. Photographs of the accident, your medical record, the official police report for the accident, your pay stubs showing time out of work, and testimonies from witnesses to the accident are all pieces of evidence you can use to support your claim. Your lawyer can help you obtain the evidence you need and use it effectively.
Work With an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured in any type of accident caused by another party’s negligence, you could be entitled to recover monetary compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. To learn more, set up your initial consultation with a member of our team of experienced personal injury lawyers at Philadelphia Injury Lawyers Law Firm. We are here to answer your questions and advocate for you as you proceed with your personal injury claim.
