Two of the key concepts in personal injury law are liability and damages. If you can show that the other party was legally responsible for your injury, you can hold them liable to compensate you for your damages. Your damages consist of what you lost as a result of your injuries.
Liability and damages are key factors in all kinds of personal injury lawsuits, including those involving motor vehicle accidents and defective products. These cases can involve both intentional acts and accidents caused by negligence.
What is included in your damages?
Among your damages may be your medical expenses and your lost wages. Your damages may also include noneconomic damages such as the pain and suffering you experienced and will continue to experience in the future.
This is a key point. If you want to be fully compensated, you must count not only the expenses you have already paid for, but also the expenses you will have in the future as a result of your injuries. For instance, if recovering from your injuries will require years of expensive physical therapy, you will want to be compensated for those future costs. Likewise, if permanent injuries mean that your earning potential will be diminished in your working life, you should be compensated for those losses.
Is there a statute of limitations on a personal injury lawsuit?
Each state has different rules when it comes to the statute of limitations in personal injury claims. In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally four years. This means if you fail to file a claim within four years of your injury (or your discovery of the injury), you will most likely have missed your chance to sue.
You will need help after a personal injury
After you have been injured, you will need help to get back on your feet.
There are many different things that you may have to contend with as a result of your accident, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and, in some cases emotional distress. These can take a toll on your whole family. In cases involving serious injury, your family’s finances may never recover.
In such a situation, having the right legal advice can give you some peace of mind and can make you feel that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.