Personal injury law definition can be challenging to interpret because there are several types of cases, and each one has its own laws. However, one thing is clear for each of these cases: a personal injury occurs when a person has suffered some form of injury (physical or psychological), as a result of an accident.
The main purpose of personal injury law definition is to compensate the injured person. Most personal injuries cases fall under the category of a tort. In Latin, the term tort means wrong or harm. However, it is important to point out that these cases differ from criminal ones because in personal injury cases we are talking about someone’s results out of negligence actions.
Common personal injury cases
As previously mentioned in the personal injury law definition, there are different types of injuries, which have their own rules and procedures. …show more content…
To get a better picture of what your case is all about, you should talk to a lawyer who will analyze all your documents and guide you towards the necessary steps.
Because in personal injury cases, a plaintiff usually seeks for compensation, here are the categories that are compensated by law: medical expenses, loss of wages and/or your capacity to work, noneconomic damages (pain, suffering, loss of consortium).
Road accidents
Road accidents are the most common type of personal injury cases. In this category enter accidents caused by car, motorcycle, trucks, and even bicycles. If you have been a victim of any of these means of locomotion, you are entitled to compensation.
Another key thing to remember is that if an individual has been the victim of any kind of automobile, he/she should immediately seek medical care, and then legal advice. Note that, depending on the type of accident, and according to the personal injury law definition, one has a limited period from the date of the accident to file a claim.
Slip and Fall
Slip and fall injuries are also quite common. According to the personal injury law definition, all property owners have a legal duty to keep floors and walkways safe for them and others. Owners are held responsible for slips, falls, and trips on the following circumstances: they knew about the surface condition and did nothing, or they created the surface condition that led to the accident.
However, every individual has an obligation to walk with caution and to watch out for their own safety.
Medical Malpractice
There are two types of medical malpractice: commission and omission. Medical malpractice by commission is when your doctor did something to you which resulted in your injury. For example, your doctor operated the wrong hand. As for medical malpractice by omission, is when a doctor did not perform the correct medical procedures. For example, he/she failed to diagnose your real condition. Having said that, remember that not all unfavorable results during your medical care fall under medical malpractice. Luckily, personal injury lawyers have medical knowledge and are able to establish if you have a case or not.
Other types of personal injury cases are assault and battery, and dog bites. If you have been a victim of any of the examples mentioned above or are still unsure if you have a case, contact a lawyer as soon as possible and let he/she explain in detail what personal injury law definition is all about and establish if you have a
case.