Other Types of Personal Injury
Sadly, every year millions of people are hurt due to someone's negligence or willful misconduct. In many cases, victims sustain severe traumas requiring hospitalization and lengthy recovery. The laws of personal injury are designed to help victims and their families obtain the compensation they need and deserve. The sections below explain some of the more common types of personal injury and the available legal remedies.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Motor vehicle collisions, which include auto accidents and trucking accidents, and industrial accidents are a leading cause of traumatic brain injury, or TBI. TBI occurs when the brain experiences sudden physical trauma. If negligence or willful wrongdoing caused the TBI, the victims and their families may be eligible to collect damages for medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering. TBI cases may be more common than many people realize. An estimated 1.5 million people experience sudden brain trauma in the United States each year. Of these, 52,000 die because of the injury. Some of these occurrences of TBI are due to sports injuries, slips and falls and child abuse.
If someone you love has suffered TBI, refer to our section on traumatic brain injury. You might also find it helpful to discuss a possible lawsuit with a personal injury attorney.
Wrongful Death. In cases where someone's negligence or wrongful actions have caused death, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed. The executor of the deceased person's estate is the only person with the power to bring the suit on his or her behalf. In addition, the suit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires. The statute varies across the states, but it generally provides a window of opportunity from one to three years.
Because it is often difficult to navigate the complex wrongful death laws, especially in the face of a personal tragedy, it is recommended that a personal injury lawyer be consulted. If you retain an attorney, he or she will help to determine your legal options. The only friends or family members who can collect compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit, however, are those who are designated as distributes of the decedent. Our section on wrongful death contains further information on wrongful death litigation and possible compensation.
Animal Bites. Though wild animals sometimes bite humans, most bite injuries in the United States are caused by domestic animals. Dogs are the most common perpetrators. About 4.7 million Americans each year are attacked and injured by biting dogs, according to the estimation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Because dog bites fall under strict liability rules in one-third of states, it is possible for a dog owner to be liable even if the owner is not found guilty of negligence or willful wrongdoing. This is because the strict liability laws are designed to protect the community members from being endangered by dogs who tend to bite. Fortunately, it is rare for people to die from dog bites, but about 800,000 persons are forced to see a doctor every year for a dog bite, and more than half of them are children. Discuss your options with a personal injury lawyer if you or a family member has been hurt by someone else's dog.
Aviation Accidents. Due to the efforts of the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board, travel by plane or helicopter has become relatively safe. In fact, it is considered to be the safest mode of transportation. However, human or mechanical errors sometimes do occur, and emergency landings and accidents might happen. For example, a captain who pilots the aircraft while intoxicated (DWI) might cause a serious air accident leading to severe injuries and death. Anyone who has been injured in such incident should discuss his or her case with a personal injury attorney. A lawyer may be able to help obtain compensation for physical injuries, mental suffering and financial damages.