Personal injury cases have continued to increase over the past several years, with most lawsuits related to one type of physical injury or the other. A personal injury relates to any physical, emotional or mental injury, harm or distress that is experienced by an individual as a result of the negligent, inadvertent or even intentional act of another person, which often results in temporary or permanent injury and/or lifestyle changes.
The impact of a personal injury can have different effects, ranging from short-term or mild injuries to long term life-altering disabilities. One of the fundamental elements to making a successful claim after a personal injury is the proof of occurrence and the damages caused, and to this end, it is often highly advisable that you seek the advice and guidance of a personal injury attorney to help you file such a claim.
While there are many different types of personal injuries, there however seems to be a preponderance of some over others.
Here are some common types of personal injury cases.
- Car Accident Injuries
As major cities across the world continue to grow and the number of cars on the roads continue to increase, often at an alarming rate, it’s no surprise that injuries from car accidents are among the most common types of personal injury cases. Flouting of traffic rules, poorly maintained cars, poorly designed road networks (in rare cases), driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, over speeding, reckless driving and other forms of negligent or dangerous driving behavior are often the causes of many road traffic accidents.
As with other types of personal injuries, taking swift action with regards filing a car accident claim with your insurance company, preferably with the help of a car accident attorney is highly advisable if one is to have a higher chance of a successful claim. In cases where gross or even criminal negligence was a causative factor in the accident the individual might also face prosecution.
- Occupational injuries
Occupational injuries often stem from a work environment that is potentially hazardous or one in which severals aspects of the environment are unfriendly, thereby leading to the injury of one or more people who work there. These injuries can take different forms, depending on the type of work that goes on there and the environment. So office bound individuals who spend a lot of time in front of a computer while sitting at a desk, could for instance develop some type of ergonomic related injury
- Medical Negligence Injuries
Injuries related to medical malpractice or negligence are another common type of personal injury. They occur when a healthcare professional or worker erroneously gives wrong prescription, performs a surgical procedure incorrectly or otherwise gives a standard of care that is not commensurate with what is expected of that healthcare worker and the oath they have taken. These negligent acts can often result in complications of varying types, and in extreme cases can lead to a fatality if not quickly and properly corrected or treated.
Faulty equipment, expired or incorrect medication or treatment are some of the things that are commonly associated with medical malpractice or negligence. Other examples of medical personal injuries include exposing a patient to an allergen, prescribing the wrong treatment option such as amputating a rather healthy limb or not consulting a patient to get their consent before embarking on a surgery with potentially serious side effects.
People who have suffered a medical malpractice will often need a medical malpractice attorney to help them file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
- Assault and Battery
An assault is the threat of violence made against an individual with the intention to harm them, even if no physical contact was made. Battery on the other hand involves actual physical harm inflicted on the individual. In a society with ever increasing levels of violence across the board, the crime of assault and/or battery has shown a worrying upward trend with reported estimates of gunshot wounds, for example, causing around 38,000 gun-related deaths in the United States in 2016.
- Defamation of character
Although a character defamation case may not result in a physical injury, according to the law, it can still result in a ”personal injury” and damage, and at such, an individual who has suffered such injury is liable to file a lawsuit against the defendant as such injury may lead to character assassination and bad public perception.
- Slips and Falls
Slips and falls can occur at home, in the workplace or in any other public space, and are another common type of personal injury. Generally, facility owners are legally bound to provide a safe and harm-free environment to any and all residents or users entering and occupying such a facility. And in situations where such harm-free environment is lacking, the owner and/or manager of such a facility can be held liable. A slip and fall lawyer would usually be the person to help institute this lawsuit, should the victim decide to file one.
It should be pointed out that the exact legal obligation of a landlord or homeowner in a sip and fall case, as with most types of personal injury cases, varies widely depending on the state of residence and/or the situation that results in the injury. Consequently, not all injuries on properties can lead to the liability of the homeowner.
- Animal/Pet Injuries
Animals, especially domestic animals have long been a vital part of many people’s homes and lives. Sadly, so has the occurrence of pet-related injuries. Perhaps the most common culprit of these pet-related injuries are dogs. While dogs are kept for a number of reasons including companionship, security and even for health purposes, the one potentially negative thing about dogs is the fact that they can bite, bites which can cause serious injuries, and sadly in some cases, death. Unfortunately for the owner of such a dog, he or she can be held legally liable should any of these things happen. This liability lawsuit will usually be brought about by the victim of the dog bite, or in extreme cases of death, by the family of the victim, very likely on the advice of and/or with the help of a dog bite attorney.
Although not exhaustive, the list above are some of the most commonly reported types of personal injury cases in many countries. There may be slight changes in predominant occurrences depending on the location and extent of economic activity. For example, reports of dog related injuries are more likely in be found in rural areas, in contrast to robust urban city centres where car accident injuries are a common bane.
Whatever type of personal injury one is facing, especially if involves a physical injury, the first and most important thing thing the victim should do is to seek immediate and proper medical assistance. Only once that has been done and the individual is of a sound enough mind to do so, then they should likely speak to a personal injury lawyer to get advice on what chance they might have in securing whatever commensurate financial compensation for whatever damage and suffering they have endured as a result of the injury.