No one expects to be suddenly injured, and yet when it happens life can seem to end in a minute. A simple tumble at work can lead to ongoing chronic pain. Sports injuries can lead to necessary emergency room visits and rack up serious medical bills. And an auto accident can cause severe mental trauma and result in concussions or other traumatic brain injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30.6 million annual emergency room visitations are due solely to unintentional injuries. Over 700,000 personal injury claims are filed annually in the US alone. But what are the main types you need to be aware of and what can you do if you’re seriously injured?
Product Liability and Negligence
Store products are essential to Americans, but they can become unstable or just plain dangerous. While injuries amount to only thousands per year, a lawsuit or settlement can amount to huge financial gains for the claimant. These are always serious issues as some product liability and negligence can lead to fatalities. And if something happens to the consumer, claims can be made against anyone involved in the process, including the manufacturer, distributor, and retailer.
Public Liability (Slips and Falls)
Businesses, residences, government agencies, and other public areas have personal and legal responsibilities to keep the property clean, safe, and hazard-free. Of course, weather, time or physical restraints, and negligence can make that a challenge. According to the National Safety Council, over 7 million claims are made due to slips and falls alone. And based on 2017 statistics, falls are the main preventable cause of fatalities for Americans 65 and older.
Workplace or Work-Related Injuries
Anything can happen in the workplace, and sometimes the results can be serious. Office or sedentary jobs may not present much of a scare, but construction, factories, and landscaping sites offer and provide a plethora of potential personal injuries. Your employer is responsible for providing and maintaining a healthy and safe work environment. If that’s not met and injuries occur due to company negligence, a doctor should be seen and a workman’s compensation should be filed if necessary.
Medical Malpractice
Doctors and medical practitioners are usually competent enough to avoid unnecessary complications. But around 85,000 claims are still filed annually due to medical malpractice. Negligence and personal harm must be proven prior to filing the claim. And medical experts almost always need to testify in your behalf. Your Michigan personal injury attorney can take care of the details, so you can begin to heal.
Dog Bites
With 78 million dogs owned across America, it’s no wonder 850,000 dog bite victims receive medical attention for injuries. Laws vary between states, but in most cases, the animal owners are responsible for any damages. Strict liability rules and even aggressive labeling are legally enforced when animal negligence and personal injury are combined.
Automobile Accidents
Approximately 6 million car crashes occur annually across the nation, and they’re responsible for most of the serious personal injury claims nationwide. Many factors can be involved including weather, road negligence, and distracted or impaired drivers. If you’re not at fault for an auto accident, compensation may be awarded to you. But even if you feel OK, you’ll need a doctor to verify that’s truly the case. A simple call to the right Michigan personal injury attorney can help get you the compensation needed so your life doesn’t fall apart while you’re healing.