Every personal injury claim impacts an individual and a family in different ways. Many can be devastating, diminishing your income, interrupting your daily living, and taking away your joy and fun. Each claim is unique, but some types of personal injury claims are more common than others. If you’ve experienced any of the following, you might have a personal injury claim.
Auto Accidents
Auto accidents are the most common reason for personal injuries and personal injury claims. One moment you’re minding your own business out on the road, trying to get somewhere, and the next, you’ve been rear-ended or run off the road by another driver. Most of these accidents occur from careless drivers who weren’t paying attention or following the rules of the road. Your physical injuries might include the neck, back, and spine problems, broken bones, stitches, and more. Your personal injury claim may include physical injuries, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
You walk into an office or a store with slick floors. Water was spilled, and you’ve stepped in it. Now you’ve fallen and landed hard. You’re sure you’ll feel this one for a while, and you do. Property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their property as safe as possible to prevent injuries. Wet floor signs, safety precautions, and other measures aren’t just a nice-to-have thing. It’s what keeps people safe. Slip, trip, and fall claims can be complicated and the outcome of your case depends on a lot of variables.
Dog Bites
A dog rushes you as you walk by. You go to a neighbor’s house and the dog attacks. You’re told a dog is friendly but when you reach down to pet it, it’s teeth sink in. While some dog breeds are considered to be more prone to bite than others, any dog can be a biter. This is especially true when their owner is negligent and doesn’t train them, keep them on a leash, or keep them away from people. In Nevada, many cities and counties have leash laws. If an owner doesn’t follow them and their dog bites you, they may be liable for your medical and other expenses.
Medical Malpractice
We go to the doctor to help make us better, not to get sicker or injured in a new way. We expect them to take care of us when we need them. If a doctor or other health care professional fails to provide quality care and injures you, they may be liable for medical malpractice. It’s not always easy to tell if what you’ve experienced qualifies. But if you suspect the doctor, nurse, or other provider was at fault, you need to talk to a qualified personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Defamation
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” We all know that isn’t true, and some words hurt more than others. Defamation of your character through libel or slander isn’t just emotionally or mentally damaging. It can cost you money and hurt your business. Defamation occurs when you suffer an injury to your reputation because of false statements. For laypeople, if you can show the statement was untrue and it created a financial loss, you may have a personal injury claim. For public figures and celebrities, a personal injury claim is much more complicated.
Defective Products
How many recalls do we experience every day? Airbags, baby strollers, eggs, lettuce, toys, drugs -- any consumer product can be defective and cause harm. If you use something that was made with a defect or designed so that it’s unsafe to use, that’s a problem. If that product injures you, the manufacturer may be held responsible for your injuries. Because defective products encompass so many things, it’s important to discuss your specific situation with an attorney specializing in car accidents.