If someone’s negligence has caused you harm, you have a right to take legal action. Depending on the situation, you can file a personal injury claim against another person or company to get compensation for everything from medical expenses to emotional distress. If the following circumstances apply to you, consult a lawyer to determine whether you have a case.

5 Reasons for a Personal Injury Claim

1. Automobile Accident

Accidents happen on the road, but sometimes one party carries the bulk of the blame. For example, if the other driver was inebriated, texting, or driving recklessly in some other way, they are likely liable for your injuries.

2. Toxic Exposure

Contaminated water, soil, air, and even commercial products can cause severe illnesses. In some cases, the conditions can be terminal. One common example is the use of lead-based paint in apartments. If a company or individual knowingly exposes you to harmful substances, hire a personal injury attorney to pursue justice.

3. Medical Malpractice

Healthcare professionals aren’t perfect. A doctor could misplace the decimal point when writing a prescription, for example, or a nurse could misread a chart and provide a patient with a medication for which they have a known allergy. Such instances fall under the umbrella of medical malpractice.  

4. Product Liability

You’ve probably read stories in the news about consumer product recalls—such as overheating mobile phones and vehicle airbags that consistently fail to deploy. When products malfunction because of inherent design issues or don’t have adequate detail safety warnings in their instructions, people may get hurt.

5. Workplace Injury

If you are hurt on the job, your employer should have workers’ compensation insurance to cover you. Insurers can be reluctant to pay up, however, and may dispute your claim. For instance, they may say your injuries occurred outside of working hours of off the premises. Get a lawyer to fight back.

If you feel you have a viable personal injury claim in the Rochester, NY, area, Upstate Legal Center Of John V. Shepard can help. Known for a personalized approach and finding creative and viable solutions for each client, he will fight for your rights through every stage of your case. Learn more about his experience online. To request a consultation, call (585) 429-5422.