The personal injury industry was worth $57.7 billion in 2022. This figure is also set to grow in the coming years as more and more people become aware of their rights when they suffer harm due to the intentional, negligent, or reckless behavior of others.
But what are the most common personal injury claims? If you aren’t aware of the types of incidents that could lead to you being eligible for compensation, you could miss out on a significant financial settlement.
To help you determine if you might have a valid claim, we’re going to take a closer look at 10 of the most typical causes of personal injuries.
Keep reading for more details.
Auto Accidents
Auto accidents are a leading cause of personal injuries, and the harm caused can range from minor to catastrophic. There can be physical injuries such as bruises, broken bones, or brain damage. It’s also possible an innocent party could suffer from mental flashbacks and emotional trauma related to the collision.
However, while you may be convinced a third party is responsible for your injuries, this is not always easy to prove. This is only one of the many reasons why it can be crucial to get a personal injury attorney who can fight your case on your behalf. Not only can an experienced lawyer help you win your claim, but they can also argue that you should receive the maximum amount of compensation.
Workplace Injuries
You should always be safe when working for your employer, and there are stringent health and safety laws to ensure this is the case. But, the reality is that not every business takes the necessary steps to look after its employees.
For example, they may not provide workers with personal protective equipment (PPE), or they might ask staff to work in dangerous conditions. This could put employees at risk, resulting in them suffering an injury.
Should your employer have been careless or reckless with your health and safety, this could mean you have grounds to make a claim.
Defective Product Claims
This may not be a type of personal injury case that you often hear about, but defective products can cause considerable damage. This may be because of a defective design that led to a product being released onto the market without having appropriate safety features.
It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure their products are safe for use, and they may be liable should you be the victim of a defect in their goods. Rather than accepting you were hurt when using a product without seeking recourse, you may want to consult a lawyer who can advise if you could make a personal injury claim.
Slip and Fall Claims
There are many reasons that cause a person to slip and fall, and not all of them are someone else’s fault. However, there are occasions when a third party has been negligent and created circumstances where a slip or fall accident is more likely.
Should you notice a floor is wet in an office or store, this is a hazard that could lead to you landing heavily on the ground. You may also find there are no handrails on a staircase, making it more difficult to keep your balance.
If you were to slip or fall because of these issues, you could fracture bones or suffer a severe head injury. These can be life-changing events and lead to you requiring care, possibly for the rest of your life. In these scenarios, making a personal injury claim can help you get the financial assistance you’ll need for your care.
Dog Bite Claims
Even dogs that are usually friendly and harmless can bite at times. This could be because the dog feels distressed, or they think that a stranger is intruding on their territory. There are also some dogs that may be generally aggressive and dangerous.
If a dog was to bite you, you could suffer deep wounds, disfigurement, or even contract a disease that could be life-threatening. Memories of the attack may also trigger feelings of anxiety that affect you when you least expect it.
The laws on proving responsibility for a dog bite can vary from state to state, so it’s not always easy to win a personal injury case. In some locations, you may need to prove that an owner knew their dog was dangerous, while in others, the fact that you were bitten could be sufficient to make a claim.
A personal injury lawyer will be able to help you understand the relevant laws in your state and establish if you could be entitled to financial restitution.
Assault Claims
While many personal injury claims come down to the negligent or reckless behavior of a third party, assaults tend to be deliberate acts. A person could assault someone following a frivolous argument that became overheated, or they may plan the violence in advance.
Assaults can be terrifying and leave the victim in fear. There could also be serious injuries as a consequence of an assault which may require a lengthy rehabilitation period. A victim may need to undergo surgery and receive counseling to help with the trauma.
By making a claim, the injured party could receive the money they need to assist with their recovery.
Defamation of Character
There doesn’t always have to be a physical element to a personal injury claim. If someone was to defame your character, this could cause you reputational harm and emotional pain. The damage can be even worse if the lies about your character are publicized.
With the internet, and social media in particular, this kind of harm can now happen in a matter of seconds. For example, someone could falsely post on a social media platform that you committed a crime. Or, they might write comments claiming that you hold views most people would consider abhorrent.
Even if you were to deny these claims, it may be difficult for your reputation to recover. This could hurt you personally and affect your ability to get a job or bring on new clients for your business. Should a third party unfairly attack your character, you may want to ask a lawyer if you’re entitled to make a personal injury claim.
Medical Malpractice
Patients place their trust in medical staff, but sometimes these professionals can make mistakes. This could include a surgeon being careless and damaging a patient’s organs during surgery, or a physician making a misdiagnosis. A pharmacist could also give a patient the wrong prescription, impacting their health.
These errors can have serious consequences, and medical professionals should have insurance coverage in place to cover the cost of your personal injury claim.
Premises Liability Claims
Another time when hiring a lawyer can be prudent is if you suffer an injury on a third party’s premises. This can happen if you were to come to harm when at a store, in a bar, or at a restaurant.
However, these types of claims don’t only relate to commercial premises. You might find yourself on a neighbor’s property and get hurt because they didn’t take proper precautions. This may be because they left sharp objects on their lawn, or their roof was in disrepair and a tile fell and caused you injury.
Food Poisoning Claims
When you pay for a nice meal, you don’t expect to get sick. But, if a restaurant has been negligent and not followed food safety standards, you may become ill. For example, if the restaurant doesn’t have robust pest control procedures in place, your food could contain rodent feces or hairs.
This could place your health in jeopardy and leave you needing medical assistance. While you may be tempted to consider your sickness after a meal as simply unfortunate, there is also the possibility you could make a personal injury claim.
Hire a Professional Attorney to Handle Your Personal Injury Claims
There are many incidents that can give rise to personal injury claims. Whether you’ve been hurt in an auto accident, been bitten by a dog, or been the victim of medical negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. You may also be eligible for financial restitution if a third party has physically assaulted you or caused you emotional distress.
Should you decide to make a claim, a personal injury attorney can help you get the maximum settlement.
If this post has helped you understand the common types of personal injury claims, check out more of our excellent blog posts.
