There are many types of lawsuits that one can file in the United States, from bankruptcy to medical malpractice. A lawsuit is a problem that an ordinary person takes up to the court for settlement. In the US, about 40 million lawsuits are filed each year.
At some point, you may need to file a lawsuit for problems like personal injury. Personal injury claims in civil law compensate people who have been victims of accidents or social wrongdoings such as character defamation.
Utah is very familiar with personal injury claims and car accident cases like any other state. Figuring out who is liable is a very delicate situation, so it’s best to consult with a local personal injury or car accident attorney.
Here are some of the commonly filed lawsuits in the country.
Assault, battery, and other intentional torts
Unlike other types of personal injury claims, intentional torts are based when a person intentionally harms or injures another person. Often these cases may involve the added aspect of a criminal case against the perpetrator. Here, the victim will be able to file for a personal injury lawsuit in civil court and demand compensation.
Car accidents
In the United States, car accidents come up as the most common case filed. When a car accident happens, this is usually because someone did not follow the rules of the road, or has been driving dangerously. A careless driver may be held financially responsible for any injuries stemming from the accident. There are exceptions to the rule though. When the accident is very serious, drivers may be able to collect claims from their insurance companies.
Defamation: libel or slander
Defaming someone refers to an attack on someone’s reputation based on untrue statements. The burden of proof will fall on the average person. They will need to prove that the untrue statement was made and that actual harm such as financial loss happened. Celebrities or public personas, on the other hand, will need to prove actual malice. This is when the false statement was made intentionally or with reckless disregard for the truth.
Medical malpractice
Medical malpractice claims happen when a doctor or other health care professionals fail to deliver treatment that’s up to par to the medical standard of care, thus resulting in the patient getting injured. Common claims that fall under medical malpractice include misdiagnosis, medication or surgery errors, and childbirth injuries.
Slip and fall accidents
Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common in Utah and in the United States that affects all age groups. Many people don’t realize how dangerous and costly a slip and fall accident is until it starts to affect them and their loved ones. A slip and fall accident may result in broken bones and even severe injuries like hip fractures or even brain damage.
Here, property owners have the legal obligation to keep their premises safe so that people on their property don’t get injured. However, if the owner has been negligent about any unsafe conditions and failed to have them repaired, or the owner or their employee caused the accident by leaving a dangerous obstacle, these may be reasons to file a slip and fall accident claim. Victims will need to prove negligence and liability, and that they did not cause the accident themselves.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to file a claim, it’s always ideal to consult with a lawyer to help you with your case. The process may be stressful but you must receive the compensation you deserve.