A personal injury attorney is an attorney who provides legal representation to those who claim to be injured, mentally or physically, as a result of the negligence of someone else, organization, government agency, or any other entity. Personal injury lawyers practice primarily in the area of civil law known as tort law. Tort law governs how monetary damages and other torts are handled. Personal injury litigants generally must prove three essential elements that give rise to an action. The basic elements of personal injury litigation include negligence, breach of contract, and damage or injury to a person's reputation.
Negligence is a term used to describe inaction on the part of a person when performing an activity. Injuries resulting from these types of actions can be compensated by a court. Common causes of personal injury include slips and falls, car accidents, work accidents, jobsite errors and medical treatment. Accidents at work are more likely to involve long-term physical or psychological injuries resulting from poorly equipped or poorly trained personnel.
Injuries from slips and falls on public property, such as sidewalks, walkways, parking lots and streets, are common causes of personal injury. For example, you injured yourself because the ground you walked on got wet. State law can try to obtain compensation for you, regardless of who was at fault. However, it is more difficult to obtain compensation if the accident is your fault. If so, a personal injury attorney can help you file a claim for your injuries.
Workplace accidents are also frequent reasons for hiring a bellevue personal injury lawyer. Your business can be held liable for injuries that occur on its premises. When you suffer an accident at work, you have the right to sue your employer for compensation for your losses. The attorney you hire will assess the scope of your case and determine the best way to handle your claim. If the insurance company is unwilling to cover your injuries or if the company has not offered any form of workers' compensation, your attorney can take legal action against your employer.
Victims of car accidents can receive compensation for physical and mental damage. Car accidents caused by drunk drivers are very common causes of personal injury lawsuits. Lawyers treat these cases in the same way as other clients. They collect evidence, interview witnesses, analyze accident reports and collect testimonies from victims and witnesses. Once the case is concluded, the lawyers give the victim time to earn a living and decide whether or not to pursue the case.
Sometimes victims of medical malpractice can receive compensation from health care providers who are responsible for their injuries. Medical malpractice is a type of tort law in which medical professionals commit wrongs or negligence in the treatment of patients. As in all types of tort law, personal injury attorneys help victims get the compensation they deserve.
