Unfortunately, personal injuries occur all the time. From seemingly harmless slips and falls to serious car accidents, these personal injuries can cause varying levels of physical, emotional, and financial hardship. In many cases, individuals who suffer personal injuries have the legal right to seek financial compensation. This compensation can be a lifeline for someone who has experienced a personal injury, helping to cover medical expenses, replace lost income, and even address intangible costs like physical pain and emotional suffering. In this article, we’ll delve into five of the most common personal injuries, shedding light on the legal implications, rights, and procedures to be aware of when pursuing compensation in Maryland.

Can I Sue for Personal Injury?

Suing for personal injury is a legal recourse available to those who've suffered harm due to another person’s negligence or intentional actions. For example, if your injury was a result of someone else’s carelessness or recklessness, you may be able to sue them for negligence. In cases where someone has attempted to harm you purposefully, you may secure punitive damages in addition to financial compensation. Seeking legal representation from a specialized firm such as AVID Law Firm, LLC should be your first step in these situations.

Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries can occur in various industries, from construction to office jobs. Maryland law mandates that employers provide workers' compensation insurance, ensuring injured employees receive medical care and lost wage benefits. In some cases, personal injury lawsuits may be pursued if gross negligence is involved, but the workers' comp system is the primary avenue for compensation. This system is a no-fault system, meaning employees can generally receive benefits regardless of how the injury occurred.

Car Accidents

Car accidents are a very common cause of personal injury cases in Maryland and across the United States. These accidents may occur for any number of reasons, including distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence, inexperience, fatigue, road defects, and mechanical failures. Typically, the legal implications involve determining who is at fault. Maryland follows a contributory negligence rule, meaning if you are found even slightly at fault for the accident, you may not recover damages. This means it’s crucial to gather evidence, including police reports and witness statements, to establish liability.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice cases involve injuries resulting from healthcare professionals’ errors or negligence. Laws in Maryland require a certificate of merit before a lawsuit can proceed. This document, issued by a medical expert, supports your claim that a healthcare professional's negligence led to your injury. Maryland also places caps on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. This cap limits the amount that can be awarded for pain and suffering while allowing economic damages like medical bills and lost wages to be compensated.

Slips and Falls

Slips and falls can occur on public or private property, often resulting from wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor maintenance. If you can prove negligence from the property owner, you can seek compensation for medical expenses and other damages. Keep in mind that it's essential to prove that the property owner knew (or should have known) about the dangerous condition and failed to address it.

Product Liability

People can also be injured by defective products, leading to product liability claims. These injuries are often caused by manufacturing defects, design flaws, or a failure to provide adequate warnings about a product’s risks. As explained by Compliance Gate, Maryland follows strict product liability principles, meaning the injured party only needs to demonstrate that the product was defective and that the defect caused their injury. Product liability laws in Maryland provide a legal avenue for seeking compensation from manufacturers, distributors, or sellers.

Personal injuries are a common part of life. Thankfully, the law provides avenues for those who have suffered harm due to negligence or intentional actions to seek financial compensation. Whether it's car accidents, workplace injuries, medical malpractice, slips and falls, or product liability cases, it’s crucial to understand the legal implications, especially those specific to your state.

If you’ve been injured, don’t wait. Call AVID Law Firm, LLC at 240-561-7433 for a comprehensive case evaluation and receive the compensation you deserve.