Personal Injuries from Dangerous or Defective Products

When someone is injured while using a product that was manufactured or marketed in a defective or dangerous way, he or she may be able to recover the resulting damages from the responsible party in a products-liability-based personal injury suit. Products liability law is based on the responsibility of a manufacturer or other provider of goods to compensate users of the goods for injuries caused by defective or dangerous products that it placed into the stream of commerce. The basic idea underlying products liability law is that the companies providing the products are usually in the best position to prevent defective products from entering the marketplace, so if they fail to do so, they should be held accountable. An experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can advise injured persons on whether they may have a claim against a product manufacturer or seller and can help them recover the damages to which they are legally entitled.

Reasons to Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

When you're injured, you need all the help you can get, and you need it as soon as possible. Unfortunately, that means that some injury victims pick the first attorney they find, rather than making an informed choice. It's important to educate yourself and find the right fit for you and your case.

Personal Injuries from Animal Bites or Attacks

Animal attacks can result in far more than physical pain. Disfigurement, a fear of rabies or other disease, and even a long-term fear of the type of animal that caused the injuries can result. A pet owner may be liable for such injuries when his or her animal bites or otherwise attacks another; he or she must compensate the injured party for the resulting damages.

Although animal-attack claims most commonly involve dog bites, many other types of domesticated animals, such as ferrets, cats, and even birds, can also bite humans, causing injury and potential liability for their masters. Even non-domesticated animals, such as large cats ordinarily found in the wild, can attack children and adults. The liability for all such attacks, if any, will vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. A lawyer experienced in dog bite and personal injury law is the best source for accurate advice and information in animal attack cases.

Slips, Falls, & Other Premises-related Personal Injuries

Premises liability law involves the legal responsibility of owners and occupiers of property for injuries suffered by persons on the property. One of the most common causes of such injuries is a trip or slip and fall, such as on an icy sidewalk, a loose or uneven stair tread, or a piece of debris or spilled liquid on the floor. The actual liability of the responsible individuals varies depending on the rules and principles adopted in the jurisdiction where the mishap occurred. An experienced premises liability lawyer can determine whether liability may exist in a particular case and help an injured person recover damages for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

Personal Injury Cases - An Overview

If you have suffered a personal injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury. Legal responsibility, called "liability," revolves around the simple fact that most injuries happen because someone was careless or "negligent." Even if you believe you may have partly caused your own injury, in most states you can still get some compensation from anyone else who was also careless and partly responsible for your injury.

When Personal Injuries Result in Death: Wrongful Death Cases

Wrongful death claims allege, as their basis, that the deceased died as a result of the negligence or liability of another. The deceased's surviving relatives, dependents, or beneficiaries may bring suit against those claimed to have been responsible, seeking monetary damages to compensate for the losses. Each state has its own statute covering claims for wrongful death, and not every state follows the same guidelines, principles, or rules. A personal injury attorney in your state can advise you on whether you have a valid wrongful death claim and can help you pursue that claim to the best possible outcome.

How to Find the Best Personal Injury Attorney

If you've suffered a personal injury through the fault of another, you may be out of work, overwhelmed with piles of medical bills, or in constant pain and agony. Under any of these circumstances, researching, locating, and retaining the best lawyer to handle your personal injury claim in court can seem like yet another insurmountable obstacle. There are, however, some guidelines that can help you select the right personal injury lawyer. With the right advocate on your side, you can breathe a sigh of relief and let someone else carry at least part of your burden, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Personal Injury, General Resource Links

Bureau of Labor Statistics
Features labor data, wages, surveys, publications and more.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - CDC Injury Coverage
Injuries From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Features information on accident causes and prevention, traffic fatalities, drowning, falls, and more.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Quality Assurance
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Links to National Practitioner Data Bank and the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank.