In life, accidents and injuries can happen at any time. Whether you're at work or driving to the store, there is always a chance that you may be involved in an accident that can change your life in an instant. If you were recently involved in an accident that left you with painful injuries or emotional distress, you may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit. Victims who win or settle their personal injury claims may collect compensation for their:
Medical treatment
Rehabilitative care
Lost wages from time taken off of work
Future lost income (for disabling injuries)
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Emotional trauma
Here to Serve You
You may have a great deal on your mind during this difficult time, but your recovery needs to be your first priority. With The Law Office of Andrew L. Miller serving as your supportive litigator, you can focus on your rehabilitation while a lawyer concentrates on obtaining any compensation to which you are entitled.
Areas of Personal Injury Law
Motor Vehicle Accidents, which include car, bus, and boating accidents, are the leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 2 and 34.
Negligence or carelessness is often the cause of motor vehicle accidents, with distracted drivers accounting for an estimated 80 percent of automobile accidents. Distracted behaviors such as texting and driving accidents are very closely associated. To learn more, visit our section on motor vehicle accidents. DUI misdemeanor and felony offenses are also often linked to auto accidents.
Industrial Accidents. Industrial accidents can lead to serious health problems. Many people have been exposed to dangerous chemicals such as benzene, which can cause cancer, bone marrow toxicity and other ailments. To learn more about dangerous substances released in industrial accidents, contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
Toxic Exposure and Poisoning. Toxic exposure occurs when people are exposed to toxic chemicals or materials such as asbestos. Astonishingly, only a fraction of the 75,000 chemicals that are registered with the EPA have undergone adequate testing to assess potential health risks.1
Manufacturers in several industries produce chemicals or other materials that can be dangerous to human health. Over the years some of these companies have been found guilty of negligence. Mesothelioma cancer is a disease caused by exposure to asbestos and has caused many deaths. A number of companies have been found negligent in these deaths. Lawyers have been able to obtain compensation for medical expenses and loss of livelihood for these victims and their families.
Defective Drugs. Defective drugs have side effects that can harm people. While drugs undergo extensive clinical trials and the FDA recalls those that are considered dangerous, some drugs are found to be dangerous even after release to the public.
Pharmaceutical companies that knowingly withhold information regarding a drug's potentially harmful effects may be held liable in a court of law. FDA approval does not absolve a drug company of its responsibility to inform consumers and their physicians of a drug's dangerous potential. Drugs that may be defective include Vioxx, Fen-phen and Paxil.
Defective Products. A defective product poses an unreasonable risk of causing harm to consumers. Products that have been found defective include certain types of airbags, seat belts, tires and medical devices, as well as consumer products such as appliances, clothing and toys.
Product manufacturers are held to strict liability standards. This means that the plaintiff in a defective products case need not show negligence or intentional wrongdoing on the part of the manufacturer. Proving that the product is defective and that the plaintiff was harmed is usually sufficient to win the case.
Birth Injury. A birth injury is a physical injury that takes place during the birth process. Due to advances in technology, birth injuries have decreased significantly over the past few decades. Nonetheless, mistakes still occur due to negligence, and sometimes they lead to birth injuries.
Doctors and hospitals are required to order the appropriate tests, treat conditions that affect the health of the child and take precautions during childbirth. A doctor's or hospital's failure to perform these tasks may be considered an act of negligence in a court of law.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Traumatic brain injury refers to sudden physical trauma to the brain. Each year, a staggering 1.5 million Americans suffer traumatic brain injuries, and 52,000 die. Car accidents are the leading cause of TBI. Other causes include sports, slips and falls and, sadly, child abuse.
As with victims of other types of personal injury, victims of traumatic brain injuries that occur due to negligence or willful wrongdoing (and their families) are sometimes able gain compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of income and other expenses associated with the incident.
Wrongful Death. Wrongful death lawsuits are brought on behalf of individuals who died as a result of another person's negligence or wrongful actions. Only the executor of the decedent's estate can file suit, and only designated distributees can receive compensation.
Statutes of limitations vary from one to three years, depending on the state. Therefore, if someone you love was killed in a car accident or other tragic situation due to someone else's actions, it is very important that you contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.
Animal Bites. Domestic animals are responsible for the vast majority of animal bites in the United States. While many dogs are well-behaved, they are involved in far more biting incidents than any other animal. Not surprisingly, 50 percent of animal bites occur on the owner's property, and many states have passed laws to punish owners who put others in danger by keeping aggressive dogs within close proximity to other people. In one-third of states, dog bites fall under strict liability, meaning that the owner may be held liable regardless of whether he or she is guilty of negligence or intentional wrongdoing.
Aviation Accidents. Air travel is very safe, especially compared with other modes of transportation. Over the years, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been very successful in promoting safe air travel. However, emergency landings and other emergencies are actually quite common, and occasionally accidents occur. These mishaps are usually due to human error or mechanical problems.
Assault and Battery. Assault and battery are offenses in both the criminal and civil law arenas. In a criminal case, assault and battery are often part of a single case. However, in civil matters they are separate. Assault is an attempt to physically harm another person, and battery is the actual infliction of harm. In addition to having the perpetrator locked up, victims of assault and battery may be able to collect damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering and other expenses.
The Law Office of Andrew Miller. Esq. has been Helping People for Over 30 Years.
Let us help you, Call for your free consultation today.