Life is full of surprises. Some may be positive, but others, not so much. Take, for instance, a visit to your local doctor that turns into a harrowing ordeal due to a medication error.
It’s an unwelcome and counterintuitive surprise. You went there seeking help for your ailment, and now, you have something else to worry about. The pain and despair welling inside of you threaten to push you into anxiety.
Don’t fret. Pennsylvania law offers justice in the way of a personal injury lawsuit. But you may ask yourself this: which situations fall under the purview of personal injury? Can I handle them myself? Should I call an attorney?
Car Accidents
As more and more Pennsylvanians buy cars, we see more and more accidents on the roads. Some may be due to unavoidable circumstances like weather and road conditions. But for most, it’s another reason entirely: negligence.
If you are a victim of a road accident that is no fault of yours, compensation through a personal injury lawsuit is within your rights. Sure enough, you can pursue the case alone. But how will you determine what evidence holds merit? Which witnesses to hire? How do we interview them?
Unless you are a personal injury lawyer, you can’t. And as they say, a doctor can’t treat their sickness. Regardless of who you are, it would help if you had assistance from a knowledgeable Pennsylvania personal injury attorney.
Workplace injury
A typical day at work can quickly turn sour if you sustain injury in an accident. It’s unfair. You work to earn, yet you sustain an injury that may render you unable to earn a living.
If the injuries are mild, you will only need a short recovery period. But if they are severe, you may be unable to work for the rest of your life. Fortunately, in Pennsylvania, employers are legally required to maintain a worker’s compensation insurance coverage to compensate employees in case of injury.
Medical Malpractice
Your doctor owes you a professional standard of care. If they fail to adhere to this standard and cause injury or death to you or your loved one, they must be held responsible. You can report them to the relevant body and launch a personal injury claim with assistance from a medical malpractice attorney.
Situations that fall under this field of personal injury include:
- Misdiagnosis
- Childbirth injuries
- Medication errors
- Anesthesia injuries
- Surgical errors
Slip and Falls
That sudden trip at the grocery store sends you falling to the ground. You may feel silly, but the slip may not have been your fault in the first place. It may be due to a slippery surface, uneven flooring, poor lighting, or even obstacles in the walking path. If it’s another party’s fault, you can sue them in a personal injury lawsuit with aid from a personal injury attorney.
Animal Bites
If you are bitten by an animal like a dog, you can file a personal injury claim against the person responsible for the animal at the time of the incident. The case outcome will depend on several factors, such as whether the animal has a history of aggression or whether the person responsible was negligent.
Product Liability
The products you purchase from the stores, be they your blending or vacuum machine, go through a complex supply chain. Every party on this chain, like the manufacturer, packager, distributor, or retailer, owes a duty of care to the consumer. If they fail to honor their duty by making a defective product, you can sue them in a product liability personal injury lawsuit.
“We are seeing an increase of people coming through our doors after suffering injury due to defective products. In such cases, we map out the supply chain to identify the at-fault party, which may be the manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or any other party involved in the supply chain,” says Personal Injury Attorney Rich Godshall of Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers.
Conclusion
There you have it. A rundown of some situations that qualify as personal injury and warrant assistance from an attorney. If you have yet to notice by now, these cases are governed by the concept of negligence.
Your attorney will analyze your case and collect evidence to determine whether the other party was negligent. They will then calculate the compensation you are owed and build a solid case to ensure you get justice.
When looking for a lawyer, go for one with whom you strike a good rapport, giving you a good gut feeling. It is helpful if a reputable law firm supports them and they have a background in handling cases like yours.
