This question is the most searched question on the internet according to some publications and I have to assume it is because there are so many television commercials and other advertisements related to these cases. So, what is a personal injury case?
DEFINING A PERSONAL INJURY CASE:
In Georgia and Alabama, a personal injury case is a dispute that arises when one person suffers harm or injury due to the actions of another person or company and seeks compensation. The harm or injury can be physical, emotional, or both, and it usually is both.
Personal injury cases can include car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and product liability cases. They also include dog bites, boat crashes, falling merchandise – any event which should NOT have happened if someone was doing things correctly which causes someone else an injury.
To file a personal injury claim, the injured person (the plaintiff) must prove that the other party (the defendant) was negligent or acted intentionally to cause harm.
Negligence is defined as a failure to take reasonable care to prevent harm. More technically, in order to prove negligence, the plaintiff (injured person bringing the case) must show that the defendant had a duty to act reasonably, breached that duty, and that breach caused the plaintiff’s injuries If the plaintiff is successful in proving negligence, they may be entitled to compensation for their damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In some cases, the plaintiff may also be entitled to punitive damages, which are meant to punish the defendant for their reckless or intentional behavior. Personal injury cases can be settled out of court or go to trial, depending on the circumstances of the case.
WHAT DOES ALL THAT MEAN TO YOU?
In other words, a personal injury case is the way a dispute about compensation for harm done by one to another gets resolved. No one goes to jail in a personal injury case, and the damages are usually paid by an insurance company, even if the insurance company is not identified in the case. (This is a topic to be discussed in another blog, but the bottom line is it should not matter HOW the damages are paid – the question for the fact finder is what is the case “worth” – or how much should the plaintiff be awarded to make them whole.)
Click here to see Gary Bruce discuss this issue on an episode of Legal Break aired by WTVM in Columbus, Georgia every Wednesday morning during the 5:30a.m., 6:30a.m. and noon news shows. https://www.garybrucelaw.com/video/wtvm-legal-break-personal-injury-case/
WHEN YOU NEED A LAWYER FOR A PERSONAL INJURY CASE
It’s important to work with an experienced personal injury attorney to navigate the legal system and protect your rights if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence. Dealing with insurance companies and their lawyers is not something most people do every day. Lawyers with experience in this area improve results and alleviate the anxiety that comes with trying to deal with it alone. We do it by knowing how to prove damages, making sure your side is presented in the best and most thorough means possible and getting the maximum value for the situation. Being able to tell your story in a meaningful way to an insurance company or its lawyers makes a huge difference.
If you have a personal injury case, the Law Offices of Gary Bruce are happy to discuss the facts, liability, potential defendants – even an offer you have received – to make sure you have the information you need.
Our firm has handled 1000’s of cases over the years and work to make sure you have aggressive representation focused on the facts of your case to make sure you receive the best results possible.
Call today to speak to our legal team for a no obligation evaluation of your options and rights.