Personal injury claims occur every day in a variety of ways. Accident victims may not realize they are eligible for compensation until someone mentions that they should sue. Or, the thought might linger in the back of your mind, knowing that something is not right, but you may not make the correlation between your accident/incident and a resulting injury or trauma. Common personal injury claims result after various types of incidents including:

• Car Accidents – Anyone involved in a car accident should call 911, speak to a police officer, and seek medical attention. The police report, in most cases, assigns blame. When one driver or motorist is guilty of causing an accident, they can face a lawsuit. These accidents extend to pedestrians struck by cars, or motorcyclists or bicyclists involved in a crash.
• Car/Vehicle Product Malfunctions – If a vehicle malfunctions, the owner or leasing agency may be responsible for any resulting damages. Automotive manufacturers can face litigation if their vehicles are defective, and mechanics can be sued if they do not ensure vehicles are safe to drive.
• Slip and Fall Accidents – Slip and fall accidents are as simple as they sound, but can result in devastating injuries and long-term medical care. A slip and fall attorney must look into where the accident occurred, who manages that property, and who violated the duty of care.
• Homeowners and property owners are responsible for maintaining their walkways, stairs, and landscaping. Facility managers are responsible for slips and falls even if they are not the owner as they are contractually obligated to prevent accidents or injuries.
• Premises Liability Accidents – Closely related to slips, trips, and falls (but broader in scope), premises liability claims involve injuries caused by a lack of maintenance or care. The victim might be injured by scalding water from an under-serviced water heater, fall during a deck collapse, or suffer head injuries if the ceiling collapses. Amusement parks may be liable when a ride malfunctions, and business owners are liable when victims are injured on their property.
• Medical Malpractice – Medical malpractice claims can be brought against any medical professional who does not perform duties appropriately. Counselors that do not properly diagnose patients may be liable if those patients hurt themselves. Pharmacists are liable for improperly filled prescriptions, and doctors or nurses are responsible for missed diagnoses, improper treatment, or writing improper prescriptions.
• Work-Related Accidents – Work-related accidents can occur anywhere from an office to a construction site. Irrespective of the circumstances of the accident, non-exempt employees may file a workers’ compensation claim. Independent contractors or freelance employees may sue their employer for negligently maintaining the office or sending the victim into a dangerous situation.
• Product Liability – Product liability claims point to the manufacturer of any product. From a tool to a toy, the manufacturer must build the product correctly and be aware of any issues that could cause a malfunction. Something as simple as a child’s toy with small pieces could cause a child to choke, and manufacturers that do not warn parents or do not prevent small pieces from breaking can be held liable for damages.
• Dog Attacks – Dog owners must keep their dogs restrained in public and enclosed on their property. While dog attacks seem like freak accidents, the owner must know if they can take their dog in public, how to de-escalate tense situations, and how to restrain them.
• Defamation – While defamation does not involve physical injury, it injures the reputation of the victim. Verbal defamation is also known as slander, and written defamation constitutes libel. Reach out to an attorney to discuss the facts of your case, as defamation can be more difficult to prove than physical injuries.