Rome Personal Injury Lawyers
An accident happens in mere seconds but can change your life forever. Recuperation may take months or years, and there is a chance that you may never fully recover. The effect on your job, finances and family, as well as your own emotional health, is potentially devastating. Though legal action is probably the last thing you want to take on in the aftermath of your injuries, a personal injury lawyer can make the parties who caused your accident, compensate you for your losses.
The Rome personal injury lawyers of Douglas & London can help you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Personal injury causes
While motor vehicle accidents make up the bulk of personal injury cases, they are far from the only cause of severe injuries. Other common causes include:
- Slip and falls
- Construction accidents
- Dangerous drugs and medical devices
- Defective products
- Dog bites
- Medical malpractice
- Swimming pool accidents
The common thread among all types of personal injuries is negligence. Either an individual or a business entity either acted or failed to act in such a way as to cause you to get hurt. For example, a slip and fall accident usually occurs because a property owner caused and/or failed to correct a dangerous condition on their premises. Perhaps a store owner failed to cordon off a slippery, wet floor with appropriate barriers, or did not post a sign warning of the dangerous conditions. Other causes such as poor lighting, broken pavement, unfinished flooring- all are examples of hazards that are within the control of the property owner or manager and must therefore be maintained in a safe manner.
Personal injury damages
In New York, damages, or compensation, for personal injury cases may include:
- Medical bills – present and future
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
New York also may award special damages for seriously injured people, which are specific economic costs related to the individual. These may include:
- Medical equipment
- Home care
- Childcare
- Domestic help
- Housing modifications
- Transportation modifications
New York statute of limitations
In New York, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is three years from the date of the accident. Because evidence can get lost or the memories of witnesses fade, it is imperative to seek legal counsel as soon as possible after an accident.
If a person dies from their injuries, the personal representative of the estate has two years from the death date to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
One caveat: If the personal injury occurred on any type of government property or involved a government vehicle, which can include public school buses, police cars and the like, a notice requires filing within 90 days of the incident.
Working with legal counsel is one way to ensure that you are fully compliant with any and all deadlines related to your case. If you have any doubt that you are close to these timelines, it is even more important that you speak to an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Contact a Rome personal injury lawyer
If you or a loved one were seriously injured due to another party’s negligence, call Douglas & London to schedule a free consultation. An attorney will review your case and advise you of your options. All cases are taken on a contingency fee basis which means there is no fee for our legal services unless we win compensation on your behalf. We will not settle for less than you deserve.
