Common Personal Injury Claims
According to the CDC, each year, about 39 million people require medical attention due to accidents. There are many types of accidental injuries, some of which leave a lasting impact on the victims’ lives. The damages you’re eligible for, and the details of your personal injury claim will depend on the severity of the injuries you suffer.
Accidental injuries could happen to anyone, and that’s why it helps to have an experienced accident attorney while going through any of these claims to get the best possible outcome. These are some of the most common personal injury claims:
Medical Malpractice
Negligence by nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals is often referred to as medical malpractice. Medical malpractice claims, including surgical mistakes, birth injuries, misdiagnosis, improper treatment, and pharmacy errors arise when healthcare professionals fail to deliver care competently. These oversights or lapses can cause severe injuries to patients or prevent them from recovering.
These types of cases can be complicated, and that’s why seasoned Bridgeport personal injury attorneys recommend consulting with a law firm that has experience combating these types of cases.
Motor Vehicle Accident
Millions of Americans sustain injuries from car accidents each year, making automobile accident claims the most common types of personal injury claims in the U.S. In most cases, an insurance company is responsible for paying the damages resulting from a car accident.
A car accident may be caused by drivers under the influence, reckless behavior, speeding, distracted driving, and more. Connecticut car accidents typically involve other cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, or pedestrians. It’s not always easy to determine who is at fault, and in such cases, victims need to secure a reputable Bridgeport, Connecticut personal injury attorney.
Product Liability
Manufacturers typically follow strict rules during their products’ production process, but sometimes defective products make it to the market and injure consumers. If you encounter an injury because of an unsafe product, you can file a personal injury claim against the distributors or manufacturers of those products. Product liability cases are generally the result of one of these three types of defects: manufacturing defect, design defect, or improper labeling.
Slip and Fall
Slip and fall accidents can be dangerous because they could cause injuries to the neck, back, arms, legs, shoulders, and heads. This area of personal injury is also known as premise liability law.
Bridgeport Connecticut Personal Injury Costs and Fees
Bridgeport personal injury attorneys typically charge a contingency fee, which is the percentage of the recovery the plaintiff’s attorney will receive as compensation for working on a plaintiff’s personal injury case.
According to Connecticut laws, the upper limit on contingency fees attorneys may collect from their clients is based on the amount of the settlement or judgment. It allows 33 1/3% of the first $300,000, 25% of the next $300,000, 20% of the next $300,000, 15% of the next $300,000 and 10% of amounts exceeding $1,250,000.
Typically, the words “costs” and “fees” mean the same thing, but that doesn’t apply to Connecticut trial lawyers. The term “fee” typically refers to the amount an attorney charges for handling a case, and the term “cost” includes expenses for pretty much everything else involved in the litigation. The most common costs associated with your claim could be:
- Administrative expenses
- Court costs
- Expert witness fees
- Deposition costs
- Investigation and information gathering costs
Finding the Right Bridgeport CT Personal Injury Attorney
Finding the right lawyer to represent your case will be pivotal to its success. Each Bridgeport, CT law firm will have governing principles that determine what services they will provide, their ethics, and which types of clients and cases they choose to represent.
Look for the following traits when searching for a Bridgeport CT accident law professional:
Contingency Fee Structure
Although the contingency fees are capped under Connecticut law, ask to see a fee structure agreement before committing to a firm.
Experience
It is important to have an attorney that you can trust, and it is equally important that they have extensive experience in Bridgeport tort law. Whether or not your case goes to trial, you’re going to want an attorney who has experience negotiating for compensation as well as litigation. Be sure to ask about the kinds of cases they have litigated in the past. Since most cases get settled out of court, they should be able to give you award amounts for cases similar to yours. If not, you may want to consider another law firm.
Law Firm Size
The size of the firm representing your case could affect its outcomes. Small firms can offer more personalized and prompt attention, where large firms may have larger caseloads, meaning your case gets less personalized attention.
However, large firms could have more resources and be more reputable with Bridgeport courts and judges, and therefore, garnering them the ability to be more influential. It’s important to find a law firm that feels right.
The Right Feeling
You will spend a lot of time collaborating with your attorney, and that’s why experienced law professionals recommend choosing someone trustworthy who makes you feel comfortable throughout the claims process.
Bridgeport, CT Law Firm
If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact a law firm to discuss your claim. They will work on a contingency basis, so you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket. These lawyers are only paid once you receive a settlement or a jury award.