Millions of individuals fall victim to personal injury accidents each year. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, roughly thirty million people across the country are injured and require medical treatment every year. Unfortunately, incidents that lead to personal injury are common; vehicle crashes, slip and fall accidents, and even assaults add up to a hefty number of injury claims.
Victims of injury should understand that their cases may take one of many forms as they approach the time for settlement or trial. Most people understand that there is a wide variety of injuries that they may sustain throughout their lives; most are not aware they can seek compensation via the legal system. If you or a loved one has fallen victim to personal injury, you should contact a Milwaukee personal injury attorney to discuss your eligibility to file a personal injury claim. Consider the following cases:
- A car accident case: Vehicle accident cases form a wide umbrella. If you were injured during a vehicle accident, no matter the type of automobile or your own physical position (for example, a driver, passenger, or pedestrian), you should speak with an attorney regarding your eligibility.
- A slip and fall case: Countless individuals fall victim to slip and fall injuries every year. If you’ve fallen and sustained an injury on private property, you may have a case against the property owner or renter of the property.
- A medical malpractice case: Injuries may arise during treatment at the hands of a medical professional. If this has occurred to you or your loved one, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
- A dog bite case: Dog owners are liable for bites caused by their dogs in most cases. Laws of responsibility vary from state to state.
- An assault, a battery, or another intentional tort case: These cases occur when one party harms another on purpose. If you’ve been attacked in a criminal incident, you may need to speak to an attorney about an assault or battery claim.
Head and Brain Injuries
The potential outcome of a head or brain injury stands to have a tremendous impact on a victim’s life. While some individuals are fortunate enough to escape these injuries with their mental and cognitive abilities intact, others are not so fortunate. Head and brain injuries are some of the most dangerous, especially because certain symptoms often fail to appear until a condition has already become dangerous (or would have already benefited from treatment).
If you or a loved one sustained a head injury during an accident, you should be on the lookout for:
- Concussions
- Sometimes caused by whiplash-type injuries or violent head-shaking.
- May damage cranial nerves and stretch blood vessels in the brain.
- The victim may or may not experience a brief loss of consciousness or appear dazed.
- Hematoma in the brain
- Hematomas occur when blood clots outside of the blood vessels.
- If a hematoma occurs in the brain, it may lead to permanent brain damage.
- Skull fracture
Broken and Fractured Bones
Broken and fractured bones can severely limit an injured victim’s abilities. Tasks that were once easy may become painful, difficult, or even impossible when broken bones are brought into the equation. A severe example would be a spine-related injury that resulted in paralysis. Some bone breaks are obvious; they may be visible under the skin or even break through the skin in more severe cases.
Other fractures are often small and difficult to pinpoint. If you believe that you or a loved one may have suffered a bone fracture during an accident, seek diagnosis and care as soon as possible. Even small hairline fractures can impede your abilities for the remainder of your life if you forgo early treatment.
Electrocution, Burns, or Drowning
Some cases present unique conditions that may lead to injuries caused by burns, electrocution, or even drowning. These traumatic events can deeply impact the human body and may lead to critical injuries. The extent of your injuries determines the aggression level of your treatment plan.
If, for example, a victim’s entire body is covered in severe burns, he or she will require long-term hospitalization. The individual may even need skin grafts or other specialized care to heal properly. Many instances of drowning can leave victims coughing up water for days, delaying the recovery process further.
The Effects of Injuries (and an Overview of Compensatory Damages)
Numerous injuries may result in considerable changes to the way that victims live their lives, make money, and engage in society. The United States court system understands that injury victims are often left without a way to continue providing for themselves or their families after their accidents. Not only that, but most jurisdictions are more than happy to offer victims some level of compensation for the emotional pain and suffering brought on by their experiences.
When injury victims elect to begin the claims process for damages, they may pursue compensation to cover:
- Medical treatment, including all past, current, and future treatments associated with the injury or injuries. This also extends to include emergency transport from the site of the accident, any medications that your doctors may suggest that you take, and more.
- Lost wages or diminished earning potential if your injuries keep you from working and earning money or render you unable to earn the same wage as you earned before the accident.
- Pain and suffering damages are also available if a victim’s injuries have caused him or her considerable physical or emotional distress and pain.
- Loss of enjoyment or consortium, reserved for injuries that keep you from enjoying your day-to-day life or hinder a physical relationship with your spouse.
The Importance of Legal Support
Any victim of personal injury should contact a trustworthy and compassionate personal injury attorney for advice. At the Groth Law Firm, we will not only help guide you through the tangled web of processes that make up the legal system but also assist you in collecting and maintaining records and information that will prove useful if you decide to file a lawsuit.