What is a personal injury lawyer—and what does he or she actually do?
A personal injury lawyer will help you move through a lawsuit that involves physical or emotional injury. Unlike other lawyers, personal injury attorneys are well versed in litigation tactics and specific areas of the law that directly relate to the most common types of personal injuries. This area of the law is known as “tort law.”
Accidental and Intentional Torts
A tort is defined as either an accidental or intentional act that injures another person. Although intentional torts are still technically in the realm of personal injury, they are also dealt with using the criminal justice system.
For example, if you punch someone, you have committed the crime of assault, but you have also committed the tort of assault. Personal injury lawyer deal with the civil side of this intentional action, and it is possible to have two cases—criminal and civil—based on the same action.
Personal injury attorneys are more likely to deal with accidental torts. If the tort is accidental, then it will probably involve the legal theory of negligence. Negligence is a legal term that means that an individual did not act with reasonable care while they were engaging in a specific activity. For example, someone could be considered negligent if they are driving above the speed limit.
Common Accidental Torts
Most accidental torts qualify as grounds for a personal injury claim. Some of the most common causes of personal injury cases include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Accidents in or around a home or business (premises liability)
- Pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Work-related injuries
- Construction accidents
When Do I need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If your injury was caused by the fault of another person, business, or other entity, then you should speak to an experienced West Palm Beach personal injury attorney so he or she can evaluate your case. It is possible to pursue a personal injury case yourself, but a personal injury lawyer has very specific skills that will be helpful to your case. You are much more likely to obtain a favorable outcome if you take advantage of these specialized skills.
Receiving Compensation for your Personal Injury Claim
A personal injury lawyer can help you obtain compensation for the injury that you have endured. One of the main reasons that individuals file personal injury cases is because they have to deal with high medical bills and other costs associated with their injury.
A personal injury attorney can help you receive monetary compensation to help pay for:
- Medical bills
- Loss of income due to missed work or changing jobs
- Property loss or damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
This short list is just an example of how a personal injury lawyer can help you move past your injury. There may be other damages available in your particular case.
Contact the Law Team at Fetterman & Associates, PA
If you think you may have a personal injury claim, contact the experienced and knowledgeable West Palm Beach Florida personal injury attorney at Fetterman & Associates, PA. We have the expertise to evaluate your case and determine if pursuing legal action is the best option for you.
We understand that your injury can be costly, and we want to get you the compensation that you deserve as quickly as possible. Give us a call at 561-845-2510 or contact us online using this form for a free case evaluation.
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