In order to win a dog bite case, you might have to prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous but did nothing about it.
Finding out who's right and wrong when it comes to personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death and even personal injustice is all the responsibility of a personal injury lawyer, who is entrusted - in principle, at least - to get you the best compensation package possible to make up for your pain, suffering, days off work etc.
But while getting a great personal injury lawyer sounds like the end of all your troubles, it's not always as straightforward as it sounds...
What is a Personal Injury?
A personal injury can happen anywhere and at any time, and can result in an injury, or injuries, which are either physical, emotional or psychological. You must, however, be able to prove that the injury occurred as a result of negligence (carelessness) or unsafe actions by someone else, such as the driver of a car, your employer, your landlord, the owner of a local store etc.
Here are some of the most common injuries which personal injury lawyers deal with on a regular basis:
Work Accidents. In order to win a case you must prove that the accident occurred due to negligence or "unreasonably unsafe actions" on the part of your employer. This can be because of a floor that was wet, faulty repairs, unsafe machinery, not providing the right safety goggles or clothing, etc.
Car Accidents. Accidents involving cars probably cause more deaths in the United States than any other accident. You are more likely to get adequate compensation if the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. How much you will get will depend on the extent of the injuries, how many days were missed off work, if a death occurred etc. Be aware that truck accidents are a different category altogether.
Wrongful Death. This allows the close relative of a person who died due to a "wrongful act" to receive compensation to make up for their emotional and financial loss. The action can be unintentional, such as the result of a car accident or an unintentional fall that ended up being fatal, or deliberate, such as murder.
Dog Bites. The canine crunch is much more common than you would think, and results in an estimated 12 deaths every year in this country. In order to win a case like this, you might have to prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous but did nothing about it. Laws vary from state to state, but if the person who sustained the bites was trespassing or actively provoking the dog, they usually don't have a case.
Injustices. If you were denied entrance to a club because of your religion or skin color, there is a chance you could get compensation. But if you felt mildly embarrassed because you slipped on a wet floor in your local drugstore in front of other customers - but sustained no physical injury - it is unlikely you could get money back from the store.
