Personal injury claims help compensate victims of injuries caused by other people. From road accidents to work injuries, there are many cases where individuals can claim compensation.
When you need help after an accident, it’s important to find a personal injury lawyer who has experience in your type of claim. Here we share the most common types of personal injury claims and how to move forward after an accident.
Vehicle Accidents
As traffic accidents continue to increase in Australia, personal injury claims also rise. There are many factors that can cause accidents on the road, including:
- Driver fatigue
- Distractions
- Speeding
- Drivers under the influence
- Problems with the road surface.
If you have been in a car crash that was not your fault, you may be able to claim compensation for your injuries. The first step is to visit a doctor, even if you aren’t in any pain. You should then seek advice from a personal injury lawyer to discuss your situation.
Negligence and Public Liability
Slip, trip and fall accidents are common in Australia. These often occur in public places such as supermarkets and footpaths. Faulty equipment, lack of labels in dangerous areas, and failing to follow building codes are common causes of injuries in public places.
If you have an injury caused by the neglect of a business, you could be entitled to compensation. Ask a personal injury lawyer before accepting payment for your injury to make sure you are getting a fair sum.
Work Injuries
Many injuries in the workplace are followed by a personal injury claim. If an injury is sustained by an employee as a result of their work conditions, the employer needs to file a compensation claim.
Examples of injuries in the workplace could include:
- An eye injury caused by materials getting in the eye (e.g. pieces of metal or wood chips)
- A broken bone caused by machinery falling over
- A sprained ankle from tripping over electrical cords.
After a workplace accident, you should visit a doctor to document your injuries. Get in touch with a personal injury lawyer to make sure you are being fairly compensated.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is when a patient sustains an injury due to the negligence of a hospital or doctor. This could be caused by errors in diagnosis, treatment or aftercare. Examples include:
- Unjustified surgery
- Prescribing the wrong medication
- Careless early discharge.
If you have an injury due to medical malpractice, you will need to contact a personal injury lawyer to assess your case. In most cases, you will need to hire a medical expert to back up your argument. Your lawyer can help with this.
Product Liability
Product liability claims are made against the manufacturers and suppliers of a defective or damaged product that has caused injury. This might be an item that malfunctions, such as a bicycle with brakes that don’t work. It could also be an item that has poor safety warnings, such as a heated hair styling tool that causes burns.
Following an injury caused by a faulty or improperly labelled product, get professional advice from a personal injury lawyer. A product liability claim does not require you to prove the negligence of a manufacturer. Instead, it requires the company to prove they were not negligent.
Do you have an injury as a result of another individual or company? Get in touch with the professionals at Personal Injury Helpline to find out if you can proceed with a personal injury claim.
