It is hard to suffer the consequences of negligence, but it is harder to see a beloved family member in pain due to another person’s imprudent action. Injury victims and their families find themselves between a rock and a hard place, unable to get back to their normal lives and forget what happened. They also sometimes see impunity in full action, as the people responsible for their family’s suffering get away with it. However, injury victims can still get a fair compensation if they fully understand their rights. In some cases, their families can even be entitled to compensation as well.
So if you have suffered from an injury or seen a family member stuck in this awful situation, you must act quickly to ensure that justice gets served by understanding the next few points.
Types of Personal Injuries
There are many varying types of personal injuries; however, in most cases, the catastrophic consequences are the same. Whether they are physical, financial, or even psychological, you need to keep in mind that hiring a lawyer is crucial, as it helps you get a fair compensation. Although you can opt to represent yourself, it is hard for victims or family members to handle the case themselves when they are busy trying to get back on their feet. Statistically, 67% of victims who had lawyers received their compensation in full, while only 29% who did not have a lawyer reached a reasonable settlement. Thus, in any case, it is better to have a lawyer by your side.
You are eligible for a personal claim if you went through any of the following:
- A car accident that led to any kinds of injuries due to another person’s irresponsible driving.
- Slip and fall injuries because of the hazardous environment of a property, as the owner can be held accountable for neglect.
- Medical malpractice in case a doctor gives you inadequate treatment, thus leading to injuries.
- A workplace injury if you are not eligible for workers’ compensation.
- Dog bites, if the owner knew that their dog was aggressive and did not take any preventive measures to ensure the safety of others.
- Trucking accidents.
- Purposeful physical assault or battery.
The Kinds of Compensation You Can Get
Now that you know the forms of injuries that personal injury claims cover, you need to know the compensations you are expected to receive.
1. Medical Expenses
You can get compensation for the medical treatment you had to pay for yourself in addition to any medical care you might further need due to your injuries.
2. Income Loss
The party at fault is required to compensate you for any income loss you might have suffered or might suffer in the future because of the impact of the injuries on your ability to work.
3. Property Damage
If you were involved in a car accident and your car was destroyed, you have the right to get a fair compensation to fix it. This also includes other items like clothes that might have been damaged in the accident.
4. Pain and Suffering
Although no one can put a price tag on the pain you might have experienced due to your injuries, you are entitled to get compensation for your discomfort and psychological trauma.
5. Loss of Consortium
This kind of compensation is given directly to the affected family member. Sometimes your injury might negatively impact your personal relationship with your spouse physically and emotionally or even affect your relationship with your children. The victim’s loved ones may feel the keen loss of companionship or affection. So, in this case, the affected family member can file this claim themselves.
6. Loss of Enjoyment
You might have lost your ability to see life in a positive light or enjoy hobbies or interests you had before the accident. However, you should not bear the brunt of such grave injustice, as you have the right to get a fair compensation for not being able to lead a normal life anymore.
Although injuries can turn your life upside down and negatively impact your loved ones as well, rest assured that your suffering is not in vain. You or your family can still get handsomely compensated for such injuries if you act quickly enough. If you were injured, you need to seek medical treatment and file for a claim immediately. The same applies if you are a family member seeking to file a loss of consortium claim. Just be sure to hire an attorney to help you settle the case before it even goes to trial. Remember, professionals can aid you in this difficult time while you focus on getting your life back to normal