If you recently suffered harm due to another party’s negligence, you may be able to collect damages by filing a personal injury claim in court. The attorneys at the Brannon Law Firm have a 40-year track record of success in helping clients gain fair compensation for their injuries, pain, and suffering. Since we opened our doors in 1975, we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for victims of negligence and their families. Many of our jury verdicts and settlements have been in excess of $1 million dollars. If you or a somebody you love was injured through no fault of your own, it is wise that you discuss your legal options with a reliable Troy personal injury attorney.
What Is a Personal Injury?
You may be able to file a personal injury claim if you believe you suffered harm caused by another party’s action or inaction. Personal injury cases are governed by the legal concept of “negligence,” and have four basic elements:
- Duty. First, you must establish that someone owed you a duty of care. In the case of a car accident, for example, all motorists have a duty to follow traffic laws and obey the rules of the road.
- Breach. Next, you must show that the party you believe is responsible for your injuries breached their duty of care. In our car accident example, someone may commit a breach by speeding or failing to yield the right-of-way. In legal terms, a breach is referred to as “committing negligence.”
- Causation. Once you establish that someone was negligent, you must also show that their breach led directly to your injuries.
- Harm. The final element in a personal injury case is that your injuries led to specific damages. Examples of damages include medical bills, lost wages, even pain and suffering.
A personal injury case may take many forms and applies whenever someone suffers harm as the result of someone’s action or inaction. Personal injury is a very broad area of law that encompasses everything from car accidents to injuries you may sustain on another person’s property. If you sustained injuries in any type of accident and believe someone else may be to blame, you may have legal grounds for a personal injury claim – and should contact a Troy personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Damages in Personal Injury Lawsuits
Victims of negligence can collect several types of compensation for injuries, which are also referred to as “damages.” Under Ohio law, there are several different kinds of damages:
- Economic, or specific, damages, provide compensation for the material losses associated with your accident. Examples include lost wages, medical bills, and any loss in earning ability.
- General damages intend to compensate for the immaterial losses resulting from your experience – these include pain, suffering, and any loss in quality of life.
- In cases involving gross negligence, you might pursue punitive damages against the liable party. These intend to punish a defendant and discourage similar behavior in the future. We typically see these types of damages in class action suits where wanton misconduct is involved.
Consult a Troy Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one recently suffered harm as the result of someone else’s negligence, call the Brannon Law Firm immediately. We have been representing the rights of accident victims in Troy since 1975. While many of our cases settle out of court, we also rigorously prepare every case as if it’s going to trial – because we’re willing to do anything to see that you are compensated for the full extent of your injuries, pain, and suffering. For more information on our personal injury services or to schedule a free consultation with our Dayton injury lawyers, please contact us.