Gloucester, MA Personal Injury Lawyer
When someone is injured because of another’s negligence in Gloucester, MA, a personal injury lawyer will help the victim recover compensation for their injuries. Victims can recover for lost wages and medical bills suffered because of an accident. Furthermore, people who have been injured because of another’s negligent actions may also recover for noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering. A Gloucester personal injury lawyer can assist victims in recovering these expenses after an accident.
Gloucester personal injury lawsuits can take a long time to complete. Insurance companies hire their own lawyers, doctors, and private investigators to try and minimize the value of a claim. Facing the insurance company alone can be very difficult. Gloucester personal injury lawyers will fight the insurance companies while guiding their clients through the process of recovery.
If you have been injured in Gloucester, MA because of another’s negligent acts, you should seek help from experienced Gloucester personal injury lawyers today by calling The Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407.
Elements of A Personal Injury Case in Gloucester, MA
There are four basic elements to filing a personal injury case in Gloucester. The following elements must be proven for a case to succeed:
- The defendant had a duty of care to keep the plaintiff safe.
- The defendant breached or violated that duty of care.
- That breach of duty caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
- The plaintiff suffered damages.
Each element to a personal injury claim in Gloucester involves a specific set of rules that can be difficult to understand. A Gloucester personal injury lawyer will help victims understand the rules and prove the elements required to win their case.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Gloucester, MA
There are several different categories of personal injury cases. While the circumstances surrounding each case are different, most personal injury cases will be approached in similar ways using comparable types of evidence and legal arguments. The following are some of the more common types of cases handled by Gloucester, MA personal injury lawyers.
Car Accident Cases
Car accident cases are a common cause of personal injury claims in Gloucester, MA. Drivers owe a duty to use reasonable care and follow the rules of the road. Still, many people will regularly text, speed, drink, and violate other traffic laws while driving. Furthermore, the damages suffered in a car accident can be immense. Gloucester personal injury lawyers can help victims recover for any damages incurred from a car accident in Gloucester.
Slip and Fall Cases
Another common source of personal injury lawsuits in Gloucester is slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries that leave victims scarred for life. While a slip and fall accident may be considered minor to some, older people and those with pre-existing conditions can be seriously injured after a fall.
Property owners in Gloucester are responsible for protecting their guests from any hidden dangers. This often requires property owners to repair broken fixtures, place warning signs, and clear debris. Victims who were injured because of an unforeseen danger on another’s property may recover for their injuries. Our Gloucester, MA personal injury lawyer can assist any victims to slip and fall accidents in assessing the validity of their claim.
Products Liability Cases
Another type of personal injury case frequently tried in Gloucester is products liability cases. Products liability cases involve defective and dangerous products. There are several ways a manufacturer can be held liable for a defective product. Manufacturers are responsible for injuries caused by a defective design of their product or a flaw in a product’s manufacturing. Furthermore, manufacturers can also be held liable for injuries cause by a failure to warn of a product’s danger or failure to provide adequate instructions with their product. Those who have been injured by a defective product can enlist the help of a Gloucester, MA personal injury lawyer to help with a products liability claim.
Medical Malpractice Cases
Healthcare professionals can be sued for medical malpractice if they fail to provide appropriate care to their patients. The elements for proving a medical malpractice case in Gloucester are the same as in any negligence case. Victims to medical malpractice in Gloucester must show that the physician in question was negligent, the negligence was the cause of the victim’s injury, and that the victim suffered damages. Physicians’ actions may constitute negligence when they fail to adhere to accepted procedures and practices.
Common types of medical malpractice cases in Gloucester include misdiagnosis, medication errors, hospital errors, surgical errors, defective medical equipment, or failure to warn patients of risks. However, medical malpractice cases are difficult to try. The cases often involve extensive evidence, including expert testimony. Accordingly, the assistance of Gloucester personal injury lawyers will greatly increase the chances of success for any medical malpractice claim.
Time Limits to File a Personal Injury Claim in Gloucester, MA
The time limit to file a personal injury claim in Gloucester, MA is determined by Massachusetts’ laws regarding the statute of limitations. Individuals have three years from the date of their accident to file a personal injury claim in Gloucester, MA. However, there are several other rules governing the filing of personal injury claims in Gloucester, MA.
- The plaintiff must pay any required fees.
- The plaintiff must serve the person they are suing with notice of the case.
- The plaintiff must file the claim in the correct court.
- The plaintiff must file the claim with supporting documents.
- The plaintiff cannot file a frivolous lawsuit.
Complying with the laws regarding personal injury claims in Gloucester, MA, can be difficult. The laws are not always easy to understand. A Gloucester personal injury lawyer can assist victims by ensuring they comply with all laws governing the filing of their personal injury claim.
If You Want to File a Personal Injury Claim in Gloucester, MA, Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of another’s negligence in Gloucester, MA, seek assistance from Gloucester personal injury lawyers by calling The Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free case review.