Every year, more than 39 million people seek medical attention due to personal injury.
What’s even more alarming is that medical errors are the third leading cause of accidental injuries and death in the United States. What this means is that unintentional injuries impact millions of people each year. While some decide to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation, others may not. You have rights if you are injured due to a personal injury in West Palm Beach.
It’s smart to contact a West Palm Beach injury lawyer to help with your claim. It’s also helpful to learn some of the most common personal injury cases in the area.
1. Car Accident Claims
The most common personal injury claim filed in the U.S. is for car accidents. Each year, millions of people experience injuries due to a car accident. Most people in this situation decide to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation.
Sometimes, the cause of these accidents is a driver under the influence, or a careless driver distracted by their phones, passengers, or someone else. The accident may involve pedestrians, cars, buses, motorbikes, or trucks. In some situations, it’s challenging to determine who is at fault. In these cases, you need to hire reputable legal representation. This will make getting a settlement much easier.
In most personal injury lawsuits, the drivers will be found liable for the accidents they cause. If this is the case, they must take responsibility for the injuries they cause.
2. Slip and Fall Accidents
Many people don’t realize it but slip and fall accidents can be extremely dangerous. They can cause injuries to the shoulders, legs, head, arms, back, and neck. In fact, falls are the top cause of hip fractures and brain injuries.
In many cases, victims of these injuries must stay out of work for long periods. Some even sustain permanent injuries that impact every part of their lives. In these cases, filing a personal injury claim is essential.
3. Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice or negligence by medical professionals can result in serious patient injuries. Usually, these claims occur when a healthcare professional doesn’t provide competent patient care.
In some situations, it is a situation where healthcare practitioners are making mistakes, even if they are unintentional. No matter why they occur, they leave the patient with serious injuries that can have a negative impact on their lives. These are complicated cases and require the help of an experienced West Palm Beach injury lawyer. Some of the most common medical malpractice cases include improper treatment, pharmacy errors, misdiagnosis, birth injuries, and surgical mistakes.
4. Assault
Unfortunately, society is getting more violent with each passing day. Gun-related assault injuries are at the top of the list regarding assault personal injury claims. Unlike other types of personal injury claims, these cases aren’t usually resulting from negligence.
Assault injuries occur when someone decides they will hurt someone else. In most cases, assault personal injury claims involve additional criminal charges against the person who committed the assault.
5. Injuries at Work
A workplace personal injury case is something that can be filed by an employee who is injured while on the job. The injuries may occur due to unsafe working conditions, insufficient training, or malfunctioning equipment. This is one of the most common types of personal injuries that result in a personal injury claim.
A workplace injury falls under the U.S. workers’ compensation policy. After an injured employee files for a personal injury lawsuit, they can recover compensation for medical costs, missed income, and other expenses. Some jobs with the most workplace injuries include nursing assistants, laborers, trailer drivers, and material movers.
Based on the laws in place, employers are required to provide benefits to injured employees and provide them with a lump-sum benefit if partial or permanent disability occurs. In these situations, hiring an experienced West Palm Beach injury lawyer is recommended. This will ensure that an injured worker can receive a fair settlement.
6. Premises Liability Cases
Premises liability claims may not be the most common claims that are filed, but they happen often enough to make the list. These types of incidents occur on someone else’s property – either a private home or commercial property. They are usually caused by dangerous or defective conditions that someone is not aware of. These types of incidents can happen virtually anywhere, from gas stations to a neighbor’s property and almost anywhere else.
7. Product Liability Claims
Modern businesses have rules in place that dictate what must happen when products are manufactured. Reputable businesses usually take time to test new products before launching them to consumers. Even though this is the case, and the production of safe products is required, there are some that are still defective and make it onto the shelves.
If you purchase a defective product and it injures you, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer or distributor of the product.
Understanding Your Rights When Injured by the Fault or Wrongful Act of Another Party
Unfortunately, personal injury claims are more common than many people realize. If you happen to become a victim of this situation, it’s smart to contact a West Palm Beach injury lawyer for assistance. They can review the facts and evidence of your case to determine if you have a viable claim.
If your attorney determines your claim is worthwhile, they can file a lawsuit against the liable party on your behalf. The attorney you hire will also take time to negotiate with the at-fault party to help you recover a fair amount of compensation. While you can pursue a legal claim on your own, this isn’t recommended since the law can be complex. With the help of a reputable West Palm Beach injury lawyer, you will have a much higher chance of recovering the damages and compensation you deserve.