Accidents that cause injuries occur regularly. However, if somebody else is to blame for your injury, you might be owed compensation. The most common personal injury claims include road scrapes and workplace tumbles, but dog bites and medical malpractice also lead to thousands of lawsuits every year. So, what can be considered different types of personal injury claims? Do you deserve compensation?
Table of Contents
10 Different Types of Personal Injury Claims
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Car Accidents
One of the most common types of personal injury claims revolves around car accidents. Car accidents are the leading cause of personal injury claims in the USA. Millions of people get into collisions every year, often sustaining injuries due to careless or intoxicated drivers. Many vehicle accidents have a lifetime impact. If you’ve sustained an injury from a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you should hire a car accident attorney to fight your case. Negligent drivers are usually held liable in personal injury lawsuits, and a lawyer can help you win the compensation you deserve.
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Slip and Falls
Slip and falls are the most common causes of hip fractures and brain injuries, but accidents involving the back, neck, legs, arms, and shoulders are far from rare. If somebody’s negligence caused your accident, you should claim compensation with legal assistance from a slip and fall injury lawyer. Therefore, they fall under the category of one of the types of personal injury claims.
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Assault
Sadly, assault does fall into one of the common types of personal injury claims. Unfortunately, assault-related crimes are on the rise, with gun-related injuries being the most common type of assault personal injury claim. Moreover, many people suffer unacceptable sexual assault or sexual harassment at the workplace, home, or in public. You can fight to hold the perpetrator accountable for their actions and recover compensation for your physical and emotional injuries with legal assistance from a sexual harassment attorney.
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Medical Malpractice
Many people wouldn’t put medical malpractice into one of the common types of personal injury claims. However, medical professionals, such as doctors and nurses, must provide a high level of care. Negligence can lead to injuries and worse. Other medical malpractice claims can include birth injuries, surgical mistakes, and misdiagnosis, even if they were unintentional. Consult a lawyer to find out whether you have a case.
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Workplace Accidents
Workplace accidents are easily one of the types of personal injury claims that we see on a regular basis. Workplace accident claims are usually filed by employees who sustain injuries at work due to malfunctioning equipment, unsafe conditions, or insufficient training. The most high-risk jobs include trailer driver, material mover, construction worker, nursing assistant, and laborer. According to the law, employers must compensate injured employees for their losses that occur at work.
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Product Liability
Most businesses comply with strict quality and safety standards during the manufacturing process, but faulty goods can slip through the cracks. In 2014, automaker giants Ford, General Motors (GM), and Honda installed defective and dangerous Takata airbags in over 40 million cars. Takata was ordered to pay around $1 billion in compensation to injured drivers and the automakers.
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Defamation
Not all personal injuries involve physical damage. Sometimes, certain acts that take a toll on your wellbeing can be personal injuries. For example, if misleading or false statements affect your reputation or put you at risk, you might have a valid claim and be entitled to damages.
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Dog Bites
Dog bites are responsible for thousands of hospital visits every year which is why they are a leader when it comes to the types of personal injury claims that a person can file. In many states, including California, owners are usually liable for any damages their dog causes, which cover personal injuries. A dog bite lawyer can tell you more about your rights and the law.
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Construction
While the construction industry is becoming increasingly safe, accidents remain far from rare. Most construction work is physically demanding, and work environments present several hazards. Employers must comply with stringent rules to make sites as safe as possible for workers and visitors. If you sustain an injury at work, find out how a personal injury lawyer can help.
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Premises Liability
If you suffer an injury due to dangerous or defective conditions on somebody’s property, whether it’s a mall, swimming pool, gas station, restaurant, or a neighbor’s house, you might be able to make a premises liability claim. At HHJ Trial Attorneys, we’ve recovered millions of dollars in compensation for a broad range of personal injury claims. If somebody else’s negligence results in your injury, we hope to hear from you.
What is a Personal Injury Claim and Why Do you Need to Know the Types of Personal Injury Claims?
You can file a personal injury claim when you suffer a severe injury in an accident. It’s the process to recover financial compensation for injuries and more. This claim allows you to get your life back on track. You can file the claim either through your own insurance company or the insurer of a negligent party. Once you file the claim, the insurance company will investigate it before approving your compensation.
First, the insurance company must determine how the accident occurred and who’s at fault. They’ll also calculate the financial damages that you’re owed. Their investigation requires them to review police reports, medical records, and other evidence. They may also request that you submit a statement on the accident.
It’s always wise to consult with an attorney before you speak with an insurance company directly. Remember, the adjusters don’t have your best interests at heart – their job is to pay the minimum amount for your claim. You’re always better off having your attorney negotiate a settlement on your behalf.
Examples of Personal Injury Damages
When filing a personal injury claim, you can recover economic damages and non-economic damages. What’s the difference? Economic damages deal with quantifiable losses that occur because of the accident. Some examples include:
- Medical bills and healthcare expenses that could incur later on
- Loss of past and future earnings
- Repair bills and damages to private property
- Household services
Non-economic damages deal with the mental and emotional suffering that the accident causes. Keep in mind that these particular damages aren’t as easy to calculate. The examples include:
- Pain and psychological trauma
- Diminished quality of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Depending on the severity of the accident, you can also pursue punitive damages against the at-fault party. They’re mainly necessary to deter someone from engaging in future negligent behavior that could harm others. Punitive damages typically involve medical malpractice or product liability cases.
What is the Difference Between a Minor and Major Personal Injury Claim?
The degree of physical harm to the injured party determines the difference between minor and major personal injury claims. Minor claims are typically limited to “soft tissue” injuries in which a full recovery can be expected. Some examples of this include strains involving muscles, ligaments, or tendons.
Major personal injury claims involve accidents where the outcome results in dismemberment, disability, loss of bodily function, or death. In other words, major claims deal with injuries where a full medical recovery is either uncertain or impossible. Keep in mind that minor personal injury claims are more common than major personal injury claims.
When an accident occurs, you should immediately seek medical attention. In many cases, the injuries aren’t apparent immediately. They can worsen over time, and the pain can become more severe in the days or weeks following the accident. Even if you don’t think it’s necessary to visit the hospital, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
What are the Common Injuries Associated With a Personal Injury Claim?
A wide range of injuries can occur because of an accident. However, the truth is that some injuries are more common than others. Personal injury claims typically involve the following physical afflictions:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Back and Neck Injuries
- Severe Burns and Lacerations
- Broken or Fractured Bones
These injuries can occur because of several unsafe conditions. They include cars traveling at high speeds, fire hazards, medical malpractice, faulty mechanical equipment, and more. Furthermore, you can file a premises liability claim if you suffer an injury on someone else’s property.
Contact our award-winning personal injury lawyers to book a free, no-obligation consultation.
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