Common Reasons for a Personal Injury Lawsuit
A personal injury lawsuit basically serves two purposes. The first (and most obvious) is compensating someone who was hurt due to the actions or neglect of someone else. However, these lawsuits are also a way to see justice served by forcing the guilty party to admit their fault and take responsibility for their actions.
Different Reasons to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
There are a number of reasons why someone might file a lawsuit, such as:
- Automobile Accidents: If the other driver caused the accident through carelessness, inattention, or failure to take reasonable care, the victim may file a personal injury lawsuit to obtain an award for damages. Even if the other driver doesn’t have insurance, the victim may still seek recourse through uninsured motorist coverage.
- Work-Related Accidents: Anyone who sustains an injury on the job may be entitled to Workers’ Compensation or (in some cases) disability benefits.
- Slip-and-Fall Accidents: Property owners are expected to make a reasonable effort to keep their premises safe. If someone slips and falls on a dangerous floor, a flight of stairs, or a rough patch of ground due to the negligence of the property owner, he or she may be entitled to compensation.
- Dog Bites: Dog owners must be in control of their dogs. Dog bites can have serious consequences for those who are bitten, especially if the dog is not current in its vaccinations.
- Boating Accidents: The laws governing waterways are just as valid as those for highways. Reckless boaters whose actions result in injury to others can be penalized and held accountable.
- Occupational Disease: Over the years, many companies have used materials (such as asbestos) or have engaged in practices that have endangered the health and well-being of their employees. In many cases, these diseases can take years to manifest. Unfortunately, once they do, they can linger for the rest of a person’s life, bringing untold suffering and expense.
- Accidental Death: There are a number of ways in which someone may be killed accidentally—drunken driving, poor work conditions, medical malpractice, or faulty equipment/products. The survivors of any victim killed due to neglect, indifference, incompetence, or other preventable cause often have legal recourse.
A person filing a personal injury lawsuit can expect to receive compensation for lost wages, injuries, replacement of property, suffering, immediate and long-term medical bills, and other needs. Filing a lawsuit should never be an act of spite or vengeance. The purpose of the lawsuit is to make sure the person (or persons) responsible for the injury are held accountable, and that they meet the obligations required by law.