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Personal
Injury
What damages
can I collect as a result of my personal
injury?
Compensation, or damages, awarded in
personal injury claims vary based upon the
type of injury and cause. The most common
forms of compensation include payment for:
- Medical Bills
- Property Damage
- Lost Wages
- Pain & Suffering
How do I know
if I have a medical malpractice case?
A bad
medical result does not always mean
malpractice. Generally, to win a medical
malpractice case, you must have expert medical
testimony that your health care provider did
not provide you with the correct standard of
care. You must also prove through expert
testimony that the negligence of your health
care provider was a cause of injury or death.
To determine if you have a case, contact
Hatch, Little & Bunn, LLP.
What issues
will I face in making a personal injury claim
for injuries sustained in an automobile
accident?
A claim for injuries sustained in an
automobile accident is usually based upon
carelessness or negligence of the other
driver. The issues that typically arise in a
tort claim after an automobile accident are
the following:
- Liability - who is at fault
and to what degree
- Damages - injuries or
losses that were caused by the accident
- Insurance Coverage - what the insurance
company will pay for after an accident
If I slip and
fall at a business, is the owner of the
business legally responsible for my injuries?
Typically, it is the duty of an owner to
exercise reasonable care in the maintenance of
the premises and to warn a visitor of any
known dangerous conditions. It is the
responsibility of your experienced personal
injury attorney to gather the relevant facts
and to know the applicable legal principles in
order to determine if the owner can be held
liable for the injuries caused in a fall.
Contact Hatch, Little & Bunn, LLP today
to discuss your claim.
How do I know
if I have a personal injury case?
First, you
must have suffered an injury to your person or
property. Second, your injury must have been
the result of someone else's negligence. It is not
always necessary to have a physical injury to
bring a personal injury lawsuit, however.
Suits may be based on a variety of nonphysical
losses and harms. Contact
Hatch, Little & Bunn, LLP today to find out if you have a
personal injury case.
Why do I need
a lawyer to represent me in my personal injury
case?
Your lawyer's focus is obtaining the
maximum damages for you, consistent with the
nature of your injuries and losses. You may
want a lawyer working for you to help protect
your interests. Additionally, a lawyer can
investigate all sources of recovery and ensure
that you pursue all viable claims.
What is a
class action lawsuit?
When a large group of
plaintiffs sue a large group of defendants,
naming a representative in place of the entire
group. Examples would be the tobacco industry
suits and the suits against the drug
manufactures of the popular diet medications,
such as fen-phen.
What is
negligence?
Negligence is the failure of a
person who owes you a duty to act in
accordance with the standard of care. This
includes doing something carelessly or failing
to do something; i.e. driving without your
headlights on.
What are
punitive damages?
Damages awarded to punish
the defendant, above those damages awarded for
injuries or medical care.
What does
pain and suffering damages include?
This would
generally be money awarded over and above
medical costs and lost wages, specifically for
the emotional suffering and the physical pain
a victim suffered.
What is
contributory negligence?
It is a common
defense to a negligence claim stating that the
plaintiff's negligence contributed to their
injuries by their own negligence. A
Plaintiff's negligence is a bar to recovery in
NC.
How is
negligence determined?
Negligence does not
simply mean doing something wrong. All of the
following elements must exist for an act to be
considered negligent:
- Duty
- Breach of duty - (lack of providing the
standard of care)
- Causation
- Forseeability (knowing an act would occur
based on the circumstances) and
- Injury to
the victim
What damages
can I collect as a result of my personal
injury?
Compensation, or damages, awarded in
personal injury claims vary based upon the
type of injury and cause. The most common
forms of compensation include payment for:
- Medical Bills
- Property Damage
- Lost Wages
- Emotional Trauma
- Physical Disability
- Mental Disability
- Pain & Suffering
Who pays if I
incur an injury due to an auto accident or my
car is damaged?
If you are to blame for an
accident, your liability insurance will pay
the other driver for property damage and
personal injuries up to your policy's limits
and, if you have comprehensive insurance, will
also cover your losses. If you are not at
fault, the other driver's liability insurance
pays for your car damage and personal
injuries.
My insurance company is offering me
a nice settlement. Should I take it?
Maybe,
but you may want to know if it is a good
settlement - tell the insurance company that you
will get back to them and contact
Hatch, Little & Bunn, LLP immediately.
Oftentimes an insurance company will offer a
minimal amount of money in return for your
signature stating that you will not sue them.
Consult an attorney to discuss your legal
options.
How long does a personal injury claim
take to resolve?
Personal injury claims can be
resolved in a matter of a few months or
longer. They make take up to several years
depending on the complexity of the case and
your recovery. It is best to contact
Hatch, Little & Bunn, LLP about your specific
case.
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