Personal injury attorneys represent victims who have been injured due to the negligent action or inaction of another party. This type of lawyer can handle a wide variety of cases, from car accidents and slip and falls to nursing home neglect and wrongful death.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries due to the recklessness, negligence, or intentional actions of someone else, get help from a qualified local personal injury attorney.
What Is Personal Injury Law?
Personal injury law is the area of law that allows victims who suffer injuries because of someone else’s action or inaction to pursue a legal claim against the at-fault party. This body of law governs what constitutes a personal injury claim, who a victim can file a claim against, how to prove negligence, and what damages a victim is entitled to after a successful claim.
What Is a Personal Injury Attorney?
A personal injury attorney specializes in personal injury. This type of lawyer helps people who have been injured by another party’s negligence or misconduct to get compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering, or property damage.
Personal injury lawyers not only file personal injury lawsuits but also negotiate settlements, gather evidence, and represent victims in civil court, among other duties.
7 Types of Cases Personal Injury Lawyers Handle
Many different types of injury cases fall under personal injury law. If you are unsure whether your accident is considered a personal injury case, schedule a consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
1. Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are often caused by negligence, recklessness, errors, or even intentional violent acts. This type of personal injury case includes a variety of different accidents:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Scooter accidents
- Boating accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
Personal injury lawyers with a history of motor vehicle accident cases can help victims establish fault, calculate compensation, negotiate settlements, and—if needed—file a personal injury lawsuit.
2. Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when a patient is injured due to medical negligence. Not all medical mistakes fall under the category of medical negligence, but when doctors, nurses, hospitals, clinics, or other medical care providers act in a negligent or reckless manner that leaves a patient suffering injuries or harm or otherwise fail to provide an acceptable standard of care, it could constitute medical malpractice.
Types of medical malpractice include misdiagnosis, anesthesia errors, surgical mistakes, wrong drug prescriptions, and more.
This category of personal injury law tends to be extremely complex and require extensive technical evidence. Medical malpractice attorneys are specialized in this area and can help victims get compensation for their injuries.
3. Premises Liability
Premises liability cases involve injuries, accidents, or incidents that occur on another person’s property due to negligence by the property owner. Property owners, including landlords, and employers, have a legal responsibility to protect the safety of those lawfully entering their home, business, or land. If someone is injured because of a known, unsafe, hazardous, or dangerous condition, the victim may be able to pursue a premises liability lawsuit.
There are several types of personal injury cases that fall under the category of premises liability law:
- Slip and falls
- Swimming pool accidents
- Poisoning
- Fire accidents
- Elevator accidents
- Dog or animal bites
A personal injury attorney with experience in premises liability can help victims hold property owners accountable for injuries.
4. Nursing Home Neglect & Abuse
Nursing home residents are an extremely vulnerable population. Tragically, they can become victims of neglect or abuse as a result of negligence by a staff member or the nursing home itself. If nursing home neglect or abuse results in injury, the victim and their families may be able to hold the at-fault party accountable through a personal injury lawsuit.
5. Product Liability
Product liability is a category of personal injury law involving injuries caused by a defect in a product’s design, function, or use. If someone is injured while properly using a product, they may be able to pursue a product liability claim. Businesses that design, manufacture, or sell defective products can be held liable for a victim’s injuries.
Examples of product liability cases include those involving defective drugs, defective medical devices, or other defective products. More than one party may be potentially liable for the defective product, including the designer, manufacturer, or seller.
A personal injury lawyer with experience in product liability cases can help hold negligent businesses accountable for their defective products and seek compensation for a victim’s injuries.
6. Aviation Accidents
Aviation accidents, including incidents involving commercial airlines and those relating to privately owned jets or aircraft, are a specialized area of personal injury law.
These claims may be brought against the owner of the aircraft, the operator of the aircraft, the manufacturer of the aircraft, the manufacturer of aircraft parts, government entities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other parties—or multiple parties at the same time. A personal injury lawyer with aviation law experience can help victims injured in plane or helicopter accidents determine fault and seek compensation.
7. Wrongful Death
Wrongful death occurs when a victim dies as a result of another person’s negligence, inaction, recklessness, or intentional violence. The family or personal representative of the deceased may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party to help compensate for lost wages, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, medical costs, and more.
A personal injury attorney with wrongful death experience can help the decedent’s surviving loved ones seek compensatory justice.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer for My Case?
Accidents can be life-changing and traumatic. If your accident was caused by another person, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, suffering, and property damage. With the help of an established and trustworthy personal injury attorney, you can focus on healing while your lawyer handles your case for you—and with the resources and experience of a personal injury attorney on your side, you’ll have a better chance of successfully securing the compensation you deserve.
However, keep in mind that while some personal injury lawyers handle a wide range of personal injury cases, most specialize in one or two specific areas, such as commercial premises liability, motor vehicle accidents, and slip and falls. It’s in your best interest to look for a personal injury attorney with experience handling claims similar to yours.
Contact an Experienced Chicago Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Vasilatos Injury Law. We have represented hundreds of personal injury clients and obtained millions of dollars in awards for our clients in Chicago and across Illinois.
Our personal injury attorneys have experience in all aspects of personal injury law, and we are dedicated to helping our clients get the best possible compensation. Regardless of the nature of your case, you can rely on us to guide you toward a favorable outcome for you and your family.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
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