When you have been hurt in an accident, sometimes the immediate impulse is to act as if nothing is wrong and no one is to blame. The attention can be embarrassing, and in the excitement of the moment, a rush of adrenaline can mask pain and other symptoms of injury. However, when the pain sets, in, suddenly the matter seems much more serious.
It is crucial to contact a knowledgeable Campbellsville personal injury lawyer if you or someone you care for has been injured, made sick, or traumatized by the negligence of another person or company.
Injuries & Accidents
Generally, a personal injury is defined as physical, emotional, or mental harm to a person, as opposed to damage to property. Many times, personal injuries are caused by an accident, but that is not always the case. Some examples of common personal injuries are:
- Slip and fall injuries
- Injuries from defective products
- Illnesses caused by working conditions
- Injuries caused by medical malpractice
- Automobile accident injuries
- Occupational stress
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Dog bites
Comparative Negligence
A second important factor is the Kentucky Comparative Fault Rule. This rule distributes monetary responsibility in proportion to the fault of all parties involved. A personal injury attorney in Campbellsville can help you determine if you might lose any compensation due to a personal negligence of responsibility.
For example, if a shopper is injured when she falls down an escalator at a store, the court may determine that the store was 90 percent responsible for failing to fix a leak that left oil on the treads and that the shopper was 10 percent responsible for not looking closely before stepping onto the escalator.
If the shopper suffered $10,000 in damages, the court would reduce their recovery by 10 percent down to $9,000 in recognition of their share of the responsibility.
Important Lawsuit Regulations
One of the most crucial factors to understand about filing a personal injury lawsuit in Kentucky is that someone’s time to do so is strictly limited by state law. If a suit is not filed within one year of the incident that caused the injury, the opportunity to file a suit to recover damages is gone. This is referred to as the statute of limitations.
Moreover, there are specialized rules that apply in certain cases such as car accidents and dog bites that your personal injury attorney in the Campbellsville area will know.
In cases of dog bite injuries, Kentucky has a strict liability law that is different than the laws in many states. Owners of dogs will be held liable for injury and damage caused by their pets regardless of whether they had reason to believe the animal to be dangerous.
Benefits of a Personal Injury Lawyer
Injuries and accidents are painful, inconvenient, and expensive. The long-term impacts could be life-altering. In the wake of an injury caused by the negligence or bad behavior of others, it is important to talk to someone who knows the applicable laws and how they fit into your circumstances.
You might be eligible for damage payments to cover medical bills or lost wages from work. You might also be entitled to damages for pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment. An experienced Campbellsville personal injury lawyer can evaluate your situation and help get you started on the road to recovery.