15 Most Common Types of Personal Injury Claims
15 Most Common Types of Personal Injury Claims
When a sudden injury turns your life upside down, your recovery, medical bills, and lost income can be heavy burdens to carry. At Chelli & Bush, Attorneys at Law, our Staten Island personal injury lawyers are committed to helping you and your family navigate this challenging time with relentless advocacy and compassionate legal guidance. For more than five decades, we’ve successfully handled a wide range of personal injury claims in New York. Here, we discuss 15 of the most common types of claims.
Key Takeaways
- Personal injury claims arise when negligence causes harm to another person.
- Injury victims may recover compensation for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- In New York, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit, though claims against government entities require a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
- With more than $500 million recovered for our clients, our personal injury attorneys have the resources, strength, and strategy to take on powerful insurance companies and win.
- Our Staten Island personal injury law firm’s mission is to help injured victims and their families navigate challenging moments with confidence and find the justice and compensation they deserve.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim is a civil action that enables an injured person to seek compensation if they have been harmed due to another party’s negligence or intentional actions.
Common Types of Personal Injury Claims We Handle
Our personal injury lawyers can handle a wide variety of claims:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common type of personal injury claim in New York and often involve:
Premises Liability
Property and business owners have a legal responsibility to keep their premises safe. Examples of premises liability cases include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Dog bites
- Elevator and escalator accidents
Medical Malpractice
Healthcare providers hold their patients’ lives and well-being in their hands. When a doctor or hospital deviates from the accepted standard of care, the results can be devastating. Medical malpractice claims often include:
- Anesthesia and surgical errors
- Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose
- Birth injuries
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
Third-Party Workplace Injury Claims
Although workplace injuries are usually covered by workers’ compensation in New York, if a party other than your employer is responsible for your injury, you may be able to file a third-party claim for damages like pain and suffering. Whether you’ve suffered a construction site injury or you were hurt in a crash while driving on the job, our team can help.
Recovering Damages in a Personal Injury Claim
A personal injury settlement or award can secure the financial resources you need to heal and protect your family’s financial future. Personal injury damages typically fall into two main categories.
Economic Damages
These damages are the quantifiable financial losses you’ve suffered due to the defendant’s negligence. They may include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and nursing care
- Home modifications
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
These damages address the intangible impact the injury has had on your life. Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
Other Types of Damages
In rare cases involving egregious or intentional misconduct, an injury victim may be awarded punitive damages. They are not intended to compensate the victim, but to deter the defendant and others from repeating similar acts in the future. For families who have lost a loved one, a wrongful death claim can safeguard their financial future and hold liable parties accountable.
Valuing Your Personal Injury Claim
How to Strengthen Your Personal Injury Claim
- Seek medical attention immediately—Your health should be your number one priority. Medical records also provide vital evidence to substantiate your claim.
- Document the scene—Take photos of your injuries and the hazard that caused it.
- Gather witness contact information—Witness testimony can provide a powerful narrative that supports your version of events.
- Keep a daily journal — Documenting your symptoms and how your injuries affect your daily life provides a window into the physical and emotional hardships you’ve suffered.
- Contact an attorney —Consulting our personal injury lawyers won’t cost you anything. We give you a straightforward assessment of your case and advise you of your options.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
After an accident, navigating the legal system is daunting. Our personal injury attorneys in Staten Island are familiar with local courts, judges, experts, insurance adjusters, and lawyers. We handle all communications and fight to help you recover the maximum compensation you need and deserve.
Our team thoroughly investigates your case and gathers evidence to prove who is at fault and demonstrate the scope of the harm you’ve suffered. If an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are always prepared to take your case to trial.
Why Choose Our Staten Island Personal Injury Attorneys?
As a pillar of the Staten Island community for more than 50 years, our personal injury law firm is proud to help our neighbors in the greater NYC area find justice. We’ve recovered more than $500 million for our clients, and have the resources, tenacity, and patience to go up against powerful insurance companies and win.
Why Choose Our Staten Island Personal Injury Attorneys?
At Chelli & Bush, Attorneys at Law, we help you understand your rights and stand by your side every step of the way. If you need help with a personal injury claim in New York, contact us or call 718-987-8444 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney near you in Staten Island. We serve clients in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Injury Claims in New York
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
Our firm takes cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs, and we only receive a fee if we successfully secure a recovery for you.
How do I know if I have a valid personal injury claim?
A valid personal injury case generally requires three things—that a person or entity had a duty of care, they failed that duty, and their failure directly caused your injury. An attorney can listen to your story, evaluate your case, and determine whether you have a viable claim.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York?
Typically, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York is three years from the date of the accident. However, if your claim involves an entity like the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), you may only have 90 days to file a formal Notice of Claim. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from seeking compensation, so it’s vital to take action as soon as possible.
How much is my personal injury case worth?
No two cases or people are alike. Depending on the circumstances, compensation can range from a few thousand dollars to millions. Some important factors that help us determine the monetary value of your case include the severity of your injuries, how they have impacted your life, and the circumstances surrounding the accident.
