Accidents that result in personal injury can occur just about anywhere in Calvert County, whether you’re on the job at Calvert Health Medical Center or walking through your local Safeway store.
Slipping and falling, getting hurt on the job, being injured in a car wreck, or suffering illness or injury that was a direct result of using a defective consumer product are all considered personal injuries.
If another party caused the accident that injured you, you might have grounds to seek compensatory damages in a court of law, and a seasoned Calvert County personal injury lawyer can help you seek a settlement. Contact Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis, LLP, today for a free case consultation.
Determining When an Accident Becomes a Personal Injury
When the negligent actions of an individual or entity (like a consumer products manufacturer) cause harm to another person, the reckless party may be liable for the losses suffered by the victim, such as medical bills or destruction of their personal property.
Personal injury cases may be filed against another person — such as a drunk driver that struck you while riding your bike or the owner of a vicious dog that bit you — or against an entity, such as a body powder manufacturer that sold talcum powder contaminated with asbestos.
A personal injury lawyer in Calvert County will evaluate the cause of your injuries and the evidence that proves another party acted legally negligent and is, therefore, liable to make restitution to you. They’ll build a case that shows the at-fault party (the defendant) did not act in the manner that a responsible, reasonable person would and is thus guilty of the harm you suffered.
Proving the case for negligence is a four-step process, and your personal injury attorney must provide evidence for each piece of the argument:
- The at-fault party had a responsibility to provide a certain duty of care
- The defendant failed to uphold their duty of care
- Their failure led to the situation that caused your injuries
- You suffered financial harm from the injuries (lost time at work, medical bills, etc.)
In Calvert County, your personal injury legal firm will construct your case using evidence such as witness testimony, photos or videos of the accident, or even the safety records of your workplace or the consumer products manufacturer.
Common Circumstances of Calvert County Personal Injuries
A personal injury accident can occur under many circumstances, so make sure you ask your personal injury lawyer if your accident qualifies as a personal injury case. Some of the most common types of personal injury cases we handle include the following:
- Motorcycle and car crashes
- Bicycle and pedestrian crashes
- Premises liability, or a slip or trip and fall injury
- Defective product liability against a consumer product manufacturer
- Medical misdiagnosis or malpractice against a doctor or other healthcare provider
- Light rail, bus, or other public transit accidents
These are not the only causes of personal injury, though. So, if you believe that your injuries may qualify as personal injuries, contact our firm.
The Maryland Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims
The statute of limitations for a personal injury case refers to the length of time that the plaintiff (you, the injured party) has to file a lawsuit for damages, which is three years. If you miss your window to file a suit, no matter how strong your case may be, the court will more than likely dismiss it.
The defendant’s insurance carrier is often the party that will pay the damages in a personal injury case, and they know very well how long a victim has to file suit. They may try to drag out paying your claim in the hopes that the statute of limitations runs out before you can file a lawsuit for the compensation you deserve, and it’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to consult a personal injury sooner rather than later. They’ll help ensure your case is filed on time.
There are a couple of exceptions to the Maryland statute of limitations for a personal injury case, however. In situations where the injuries you suffered resulted from a medical misdiagnosis or from toxic exposure, you may not realize you’re injured right away. The statute of limitations for this type of case starts when you first notice symptoms of a disease or when you are first diagnosed with an illness.
A second exception to the statute of limitations is if the defendant is a government entity. In these cases, such as if your injury occurred on government property or you were diagnosed with a disease from contaminated government or military housing, you only have two years, not three, to file suit.
Do you need a personal injury lawyer in Calvert County, MD?
If you believe you have a basis for filing a personal injury lawsuit, we may be able to help. Contact Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis, LLP today for a complimentary consultation!