6 Types of Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury law allows an injured person to receive compensation when someone else’s negligent or intentional behavior causes harm to the persons.

Many different situations can cause personal injury, but not all will lead to a case. The following are different types of personal injury cases.

1. Car Accident Cases

Car accidents cause the most personal injury cases in the United States. When an accident occurs, usually it’s because a person is not following the rules of the road or driving as cautiously as they should be.

A careless driver can (usually) be held financially responsible for injuries stemming from a car accident.

2. Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice claims happen when a doctor or health care professional fails to provide competent and reasonably skilled care, and a patient suffers an injury or death.

These types of cases are some of the most difficult types of personal injury cases.

3. Slip and Fall Cases

Slip and fall accidents are another common type of personal injury. Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe and free of hazards, so people who are on the property do not become injured.

Not all injuries that occur on the property will lead to liability. The nature of a property’s legal duty will vary depending on the situation of the accident.

4. Defamation: Libel and Slander

Defamation of character in the form of libel and slander refers to the fact that a person can suffer an injury to their reputation as a result of false statements.

The exact nature of what a defamation person must prove will vary depending on who the person is, and the forum where the statement was made.

An average person usually just needs to prove that a false negative statement was made and that actual harm (financial loss) came from it.

Celebrities or public figures are different because usually, they need to prove “actual malice.” This means they need to prove the false statement was made with intent or with reckless disregard for the truth of the statement.

5. Dog Bites

The owners of a dog are responsible for bites and other injuries caused by the dog.

Strict liability rules exist, and the dog owner is going to be liable for dog bites damages even if the dog has never been aggressive or has bitten someone in the past.

6. Assault, Battery and Other Intentional Torts

Unlike most other types of personal injury cases, intentional torts are not based on accidents caused by negligence or thoughtlessness but rather when a person harms or causes injury to a person with intent.

These cases almost always involve the added aspect of a criminal case against the person. For example, when a person physical attacks another, they will most likely face criminal charges.

Also, the victim can file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court and demand restitution for the injuries.

If you or someone you know is injured in any of these types of personal injury, contact us! Please feel free to contact our office and mention this blog for a free consultation.