Did you or someone you love get injured because of someone else’s negligence? Because of that injury, you may have to pay for medical expenses and may not be able to work for a certain period of time. In such cases, it’s advisable to hire a Delray Beach personal injury attorney to help you get fair compensation and claim damages for the injuries you suffered. If you need legal advice, our team of attorneys at Diamond & Diamond is here to help.
What Constitutes a Personal Injury Case in Delray Beach?
Personal injury is a legal term for an injury to the body, mind or emotions. Personal injury law can apply to an injury that a person or entity causes another person, as long as that injury was caused by negligent, intentional, or reckless conduct .
Personal injury law applies when any of the following occurs:
Physical, Mental or Reputational Injury
A person is injured physically, mentally, and/or in his/her reputation, which is usually a suit for defamation.
Wrongfully Caused
The injury is wrongfully caused by another person or by an entity. When you’re injured, the law asks whether the person who caused the injury took all reasonable steps to make sure that you did not get injured.
Negligence
The law asks whether the person who injured you was negligent. In other words, was the person careless in the sense that he did not use ordinary care that is expected of the reasonable person.
Recklessness
The law asks if the person acted “recklessly” in causing the injury (i.e., did they act in utter disregard of your safety?)
Intentional Injurious Acts
Is the act intentional? For example, if someone punches you on purpose and without justification, breaking your nose in the process, then it is an injury that the person has intentionally caused. While this could lead to criminal proceedings, a personal injury lawsuit can also be brought to claim damages.
Defective Products
There are injuries caused by products that are manufactured improperly or are defective. For example, if a can of aerosol does not have a sign indicating that it is flammable when kept in sunlight, and you keep the can in direct sunlight on your window frame and it explodes and injures you, then it is a defective product, for which the manufacturer can be held liable.
Compensable Damage
An injured person may recover a dollar amount for damages suffered (medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages) by suing the person or entity that wrongfully caused the injury.
Common Types of Personal Injury Claims
Birth Injuries
When a birth injury occurs, it’s possible that the physician and/or assisting healthcare professionals who delivered the baby acted with negligence. You can file a case if you believe that they failed in providing the necessary care during the procedure.
Brain Injuries
If you’ve suffered an injury to the brain because of someone’s negligence, you may have grounds to file a case against them. A brain injury usually results when the head strikes a hard object. The mild signs of a head injury include dizziness, headaches, and insomnia, while the more severe symptoms include paralysis, speech difficulties, and memory loss.
Car Accidents
Someone’s negligent or reckless behavior on the road could lead to car accidents. These accidents can cause paralyzing or fatal injuries. Working with a Delray Beach personal injury attorney can help you receive compensation that you can use for the medical treatment of your injuries. Your lawyer can also help with insurance claims as well.
Catastrophic Accidents
A catastrophic injury is one that has caused permanent total disability. This type of injury may severely limit a person’s physical abilities. Catastrophic injury victims suffer one or more of the following:
- Severe or traumatic brain injuries
- Significant spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputation or loss of limbs
- Severe burns
- Blindness
- Loss of/injuries to reproductive organs that prevent a person from becoming a natural parent
- Loss of other organs
Dog Bites
Pet owners are accountable for their dog’s actions. Victims of dog bites can claim compensation for their medical costs, treatments, surgery costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
Long-Term Disability (LTD)
A long-term disability (LTD) may prevent you from going to work and performing your duties. Conditions that qualify as a long-term disability include paralysis, multiple sclerosis, sciatica, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s, Bell’s palsy, and Guillian-Barre syndrome. Long-term disability insurance may cover both economic and non-economic damages.
Slip and Fall
Slip and fall injuries are caused by obstructions in walkways, uneven or wet surfaces, poor housekeeping, poor lighting, and trailing cables. Damages may be claimed if, for example, the property owner failed to provide reasonably safe premises or failed to warn visitors of a wet floor. Some of the injuries associated with slip and fall injuries are broken bones, chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can be sustained from car crashes, slips and falls, and sports injuries. If you sustain such an injury, it could be both expensive and life-changing. Consult a personal injury attorney in Delray Beach to learn more on how to get maximum compensation for medical expenses, therapy, and lost wages.
Work-Related Injuries
Every year, work-related injuries happen to thousands of employees in Florida. While most of these occur in the construction and manufacturing industries, people who work in an office shouldn’t be too complacent. If you’ve suffered a work-related injury, it’s best to consult a personal injury attorney in Delray Beach.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney in Delray Beach Help You?
A personal injury attorney Delray Beach, FL can:
- Assist in the investigation of claims
- Assist in gathering evidence
- Assist in negotiating with insurance companies
- Assist in sending demand letters
- Help in preparing pleadings
- Assist in conducting discovery
- Help you get faster compensation
- Assist in representing clients at trial
| Common Causes for Filing a Personal Injury Case | |
| Slip and Fall | Sometimes, property owners fail to ensure that their premises are relatively safe. Wet floors, obstructions in walkways, poor lighting, etc. can lead to slip and fall injuries. |
| Auto Accidents | These accidents can be due to reckless driving, speeding, drunk driving, or using a cell phone while driving. |
| Medical Malpractice | Negligence or incompetence of a medical professional could lead to misdiagnosis, surgical errors, incorrect prescriptions, and childbirth injuries. |
| Product Liability | Burns, poisoning, falls, and drownings can result from defective products. |
| Assault and Battery | These cases can have an added aspect of a criminal case. When one person physically attacks another, he/she may face criminal charges. In addition, victims can file a personal injury lawsuit and demand compensation for the injuries resulting from the attack. |
The process of handling a personal injury claim can be difficult. Diamond & Diamond Law Miami offers the chance to avoid the stress of dealing with legal documents and talking to other parties. Get in touch today with personal injury attorneys serving Delray Beach by calling 1-800-567-HURT.
Pro Tip
In a personal injury case, winning means getting a fair settlement for your injuries and losses. For this, you need an accurate picture of your damages.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Delray Beach
If you’ve sustained an injury in Delray Beach and want to seek compensation for your case, Diamond & Diamond personal injury attorneys can help. To know more about our services, or to set up a free consultation, contact us today and let’s talk.