The term “personal injury” seems like it should apply to any damage that happens after an accident. However, in legal speak, “personal injury” refers to pain and suffering that is the result of someone else’s negligence. Believe it or not, but there are many different types of personal injury accidents that you may be able to claim.
What Can I Claim as a Personal Injury?
If you are asking this question, then you’ve more than likely been hurt and believe that someone else is at fault and should compensate you for your injuries. The list below will give you some ideas of what can be claimed as a personal injury, but for further insight, it’s in your best interest to talk to a personal injury lawyer in Myrtle Beach.
- Vehicle Accidents
Probably the most common type of personal injury claim is one that involves vehicle accidents. No matter what type of vehicle was involved, if someone else’s negligence resulted in you being injured in any way, you may be entitled to compensation.
- Accidents at Work
Another incredibly common personal injury is those that happen at work. In some cases, you should be able to apply for worker’s compensation to cover any medical expenses that might accrue, but sometimes you can’t. If that’s the case, then working with a personal injury attorney may be necessary to make sure you get the money you need to take care of your expenses.
- Medical Malpractice
When you go to the doctor’s office or hospital to be treated for an injury or illness (whether caused by another person or not), you have faith that the care you are provided will help you feel better. In general, this is what occurs, but there are times when the doctor or medical facility causes more harm than good. It is estimated that more than 200,000 people die each year from medical malpractice, whether it’s due to being given the wrong dosage of medication or errors that occur during surgery. Only a small percentage of these cases have personal injury claims brought against them, but they are classified as personal injuries and you could potentially seek compensation for damages.
- Slips and Falls
Slips and falls can occur in a variety of different places and be caused by different hazards. If you are at the store and the floor is wet from mopping, but there is no sign to warn you of the danger and you fall and hurt yourself, this could be considered a personal injury case. If you happen to be at a friend or family member’s house and they haven’t shoveled or salted their driveway after a snowstorm and you slip, this could be considered a personal injury case. There are a lot of factors that go into slips and falls, so if you’re uncertain whether or not your particular incident falls under this category, you might consider talking to a lawyer.
- Bites from Animals
The most common animal bite is a dog bite, but it’s not the only one that can result in personal injury. Every state has different laws when it comes to personal injuries and animal bites, so if you’ve been damaged by an animal that wasn’t yours, talking to a lawyer to determine if you have a case is a good idea.
6. Assault
When it comes to the definition of “assault,” you’ll have to defer to what the state says. There may be cases where you don’t have to incur bodily injury to file a personal injury claim against your assailant. The threat may be enough to get you compensation. Again, knowing what your rights are may require talking to a lawyer.
Personal Claims and Professionals
When it comes to filing a personal injury claim, working with a lawyer is beneficial.
They have the skills and expertise to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for what you’ve been through.
Author:
With a law degree under his belt, Mark Scott understood very early that law communication was a relatively neglected area. He decided to help people by “translating” the language and offering information and advice in a clear, useful, and actionable manner. For this reason, instead of finding him in court, you will most likely find his name online, where he is very active and thriving as a legal columnist. His part of making the world a better place is to make the law a less convoluted maze. He aims to make it easier for people to understand when and how to seek legal counsel, how to proceed in a significant number of legal matters, and to find the proper resources so they can stand up for their rights.
