If you or someone you love has recently suffered a personal injury you are almost certainly reeling from the effects. This is a painful and difficult time and unfortunately there isn’t any way to change what happened. However, it is possible to receive justice for the wrong that you have suffered and in doing so you may be able to help protect others from experiencing the same fate. Dies & Parkhurst is committed to empowering you with quality legal representation and helping you through this dark period.
Understanding What a Personal Injury Is
Some people may be uncertain about whether or not they have actually suffered a personal injury since in some cases the incident may seem to fall in a gray area, or more likely because as an average person inexperienced with the legal industry the victim may not fully understand what a personal injury is. In the context of the American legal system the term “personal injury” refers to any type of harm that a person suffers as the result of the action or inaction of another person or entity and for which that person or entity is legally responsible. In simple terms this means that if an individual, a group, or a company does something – or fails to do something that they should have done – that directly results in your harm, then you have suffered a personal injury.
The Types of Personal Injuries
Unfortunately due to the nature of injuries and the harm they cause there are a very wide, almost endless, array of possible personal injuries. Most people realize that an accident that results in bodily harm constitutes a personal injury; however, some people may not realize that the development of a disease or chronic condition may also constitute a personal injury if the condition is the direct result of the actions or inactions of another person or entity. Further, the personal injury may not necessarily be physical if another person’s or people’s actions result in emotional or psychological trauma. Some common types of personal injuries result from the following:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Automobile accidents
- Commercial trucking accidents
- Workplace injuries
- Exposure to harmful substances
- Defective products
- Amusement park accidents
- Food poisoning
- Medical malpractice
- Dog bites
The Ramifications of Personal Injuries
The ramifications of a given personal injury are just as varied as the different types of personal injuries themselves. They typically depend both on the severity of the injury as well as the nature of the injury. In some cases the harm experienced as a result of a personal injury may be brief and temporary while in other instances the effects may be permanent or very long term. Some common effects include the following:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional or psychological pain and suffering
- Medical bills from:
- Doctors
- Hospitals
- Ambulances
- Physical Therapy
- Medication
- Medical devices or prosthetics
- Counseling or psychological therapy
- Loss of wages during recovery time
- Loss of future wages
- Inability to enjoy life
- Loss of quality of life
The Importance of Seeking Justice for Personal Injuries
Some people may find that after they have suffered a personal injury they simply want to put the experience behind them as quickly and completely as possible. Thus, they may be reluctant to pursue legal justice, and of course that decision is very personal and something the victim and his or her loved ones must decide for themselves. However, it is important to remember that seeking legal justice may be imperative in order to recover from the financial implications of the experience. It is important to consider both current and future expenses. It is also important to bear in mind that in some cases failing to pursue legal options within a certain period of time could result in a future case becoming much more difficult or even impossible.
For many people legal action is also essential for emotional closure. A lawsuit or settlement may serve as the acknowledgement of wrongdoing and the validation of suffering that the victim needs to move on. Finally, lawsuits and settlements send an important message to the perpetrators that their actions have consequences. This could result in crucial, even life-saving, changes in the ways an individual or company behaves.
Dies & Parkhurst’s Experience in Personal Injury Litigation
Dies & Parkhurst is highly experienced in personal injury litigation. We have built our reputation around protecting the legal rights of our clients and fighting tirelessly for their justice. We have the expertise and resources necessary to establish culpability and prove proximate cause, even in difficult circumstances. We also understand what our clients are going through and are committed to helping them through this difficult time.
