What do personal injury lawyers in Norfolk do? Can I hire an attorney to help me win my case? These are just a few of the many questions the average person has. The general-purpose answer is that Norfolk injury attorneys take cases in which a person suffered injuries and economic damages due to another person’s negligence. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common types of cases that personal injury law firms will accept.
Unfortunately, people can suffer severe injuries and significant financial losses in many ways because someone acted with negligence or gross negligence. Such a serious accident can happen anywhere: on the road, at the workplace, on someone’s property, or in a hospital. In most cases, the accident victim suffers serious injuries. In the worst case scenario, the victim dies and a personal injury law firm will assist the bereaved family in preparing a wrongful death claim. In all instances, however, Norfolk personal injury lawyers aim to win the maximum compensation allowed by Virginia law on behalf of the injured person.
What Are the Types of Cases Personal Injury Attorneys Typically Take?
There is a wide variety of instances when a negligent party causes a terrible accident resulting in injuries to an innocent victim. Norfolk personal injury law firms will typically have experienced injury attorneys specializing in one or more of the following case types:
1. Auto Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents represent the most frequent cases brought before injury lawyers. There are many instances of such accidents:
- collisions between passenger vehicles
- truck accidents
- bus accidents
- motorcycle accidents
Automobile accidents cause severe types of injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. Accident victims accumulate medical expenses, while they are no longer getting their wages. At the same time, the negligent driver’s insurance carrier will do everything to deny the victim’s injury claim or minimize the financial compensation they have to pay.
Norfolk injury attorneys with extensive legal experience can win the most difficult cases and deflect all tricks insurance companies may try in order to compromise their client’s case, such as delaying the decision until the statute of limitations expires.
2. Workplace Accidents
Injured workers have the right to receive compensation benefits if their accident was caused by their employer’s negligence. Such negligence usually covers:
- failure to maintain heavy machinery in good working condition
- failure to signal dangerous areas at the workplace properly
- failure to mitigate the risk of electrical shock or chemical burns
Workplace injuries can be just as severe as those caused by a car crash, leaving some victims with a permanent injury or disability and the inability to earn future wages. An experienced workplace accident compensation lawyer will make sure that your employer pays the workers’ comp benefits to the fullest extent.
Workplace accident cases can be complicated, and not all injury law firms practice this area of law. If you were injured while on the job, try searching specifically for a workers’ compensation attorney.
3. Medical Malpractice
Going to the doctor should be the safest thing you have ever done. Hospitals and clinics exist to help people recover from injuries and illnesses. However, many patients suffer more severe injuries as a result of healthcare professionals’ negligence or defective medical devices.
Medical malpractice cases range from birth injuries to diagnosis errors or medication errors. People find out too late that they suffer from a life-threatening condition or develop even more severe symptoms as a result of inadequate medication or diagnosis.
Unfortunately, medical malpractice claims are among the most difficult personal injury cases to win, so you need a law firm that specializes in medical malpractice claims.
4. Premises Liability
The most common types of premises liability claims are those resulting from slip and fall accidents and from dog bites. The law says that any property owner or administrator has a duty of care towards all the persons who have a legitimate interest to be present at their property.
Moreover, according to the attractive nuisance doctrine, a property owner is liable if a child was trespassing on their property, if the property has a dangerous feature that would be attractive to children (for instance, an uncovered swimming pool).
In any instance, a Norfolk personal injury lawyer will work to secure compensation for each client, even if the responsible party is a big supermarket chain or a government authority.
5. Defective Products
A personal injury claim can be filed against a producer, distributor, or reseller if your injuries were caused by a product with a design or manufacturing defect making it unsafe to use. In several instances, there have even been car accidents caused by defective tires or brakes.
In this instance, the main liable party becomes the legal entity responsible for having a defective part equipped on the vehicle. However, this is just an example. Many everyday products can cause severe injuries, such as electrical shocks or burns, if they are defective.
Are You Searching for Norfolk Injury Attorneys?
It is very difficult to prepare, file, and negotiate a personal injury claim on your own. Insurance companies are ruthless with accident victims – they will use the pure contributory negligence principle (stating that you have to be 0% at fault for your accident in order to have a case) to deny your claim. How can you prove otherwise, while you are still recovering from your severe injuries?
A Norfolk personal injury attorney will investigate your accident, whatever its nature may be, and determine exactly what happened. Using various pieces of evidence (accident reports, medical reports, photos, videos, witness statements), the lawyer will be able to prove that you were not responsible for causing the accident resulting in your injuries.
Moreover, a Norfolk personal injury lawyer has experience in estimating the economic damages and non-economic damages you are entitled to receive. Also, if the responsible party acted with gross negligence, you may even collect punitive damages at the end of a personal injury lawsuit.
At Virginia Injury Law, we are dedicated to justice and to our client’s cause. We believe that everyone deserves fair compensation for their financial losses, pain and suffering. Do not let too much time pass after your accident – schedule a free case review with us as soon as possible: (804) 332-6561!
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