Salem, MA Personal Injury Lawyer
When one person harms or wrongs another, that person might face criminal penalties. However, not every wrongful or harmful action against another person is considered a crime. People who have been hurt or had their rights infringed upon by others can often file personal injury lawsuits in civil court to get justice.
Although the damages in your case might seem obvious to you, a personal injury case is rarely straightforward. You must prove that the defendant acted with negligence or was otherwise liable for your injuries. Such a feat requires evidence and effective legal strategies. an attorney is helpful to guide you through this complex process.
An injured victim might feel angry, frightening, and overwhelmed in their situation. Our Salem, MA personal injury lawyers can help put you at ease and work to get you compensation. Call the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free initial case review.
When Can I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Salem, MA?
Filing a lawsuit is no simple task. In fact, filing a lawsuit is often only the beginning of a lengthy and exhausting legal process. it is understandable to question whether filing a personal injury lawsuit is worth your time and energy. Considering your injuries, damages, and other losses might help you come to the decision that you should file. If your expenses are too much for you to pay, then a personal injury lawsuit might be necessary to get compensation.
For some plaintiffs, money is not the issue. Instead, they want to bring a personal injury lawsuit to hold a wrongdoer accountable for their actions. This is a perfectly good reason to file a lawsuit, and our Salem, MA personal injury attorneys can help you get justice.
If you want to file a personal injury lawsuit, you must be mindful of deadlines. According to Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 260 § 2A, you have 3 years from the date of your accident or injuries to file a personal injury lawsuit. If this time comes and goes without a complaint being filed, you might forfeit your right to bring the case.
Damages for Personal Injury Cases in Salem, MA
There are numerous forms of damages that you can claim in your personal injury lawsuit. The damages available to you depend on how you were harmed and the extent of your injuries. In cases where injuries are extensive, damages can be quite high. Our Salem, MA personal injury lawyers can help you assess your damages.
Compensatory Damages
The court awards compensatory damages to make the plaintiff “whole” again. The idea is to return the plaintiff to the same financial position they were in before they were injured. Basically, if you were injured in an accident and spent $5,000 on medical bills, you should be awarded $5,000 in compensatory damages. Compensatory damages can be economic or non-economic.
Economic Damages
Economic damages typically have a pre-determined value. This value is often based on how much money the plaintiff spent on these damages. For example, medical bills, the cost to repair or replace property, and lost income from missing work are all considered economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are usually not attached to a specific cost or price. The value of non-economic damages in each case is debatable and may vary based on your circumstances. Proving non-economic damages often requires demonstrating how these damages impacted your life. Pain and suffering, both emotional and physical, are common examples of non-economic damages. Talk to our Salem, MA personal injury attorneys about how to prove non-economic damages in your case.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are different from compensatory damages because they are designed to punish defendants rather than compensate plaintiffs, although plaintiffs are awarded these damages in the end. However, punitive damages are very rarely awarded. Generally, the only cases where punitive damages are available are wrongful death lawsuits. Even in those cases, the defendant’s conduct must have been extreme or outrageous, such as demonstrating malicious intent or a startling level of recklessness.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Lawsuit Last in Salem, MA?
The duration of your personal injury lawsuit depends on your case’s various factors and details. Generally, more factually or legally complex cases tend to take more time. a complicated case often requires attorneys and the court to wade through the legal process a bit more slowly and carefully. If your case is more straightforward, it might be resolved faster. Our Salem, MA personal injury attorneys have the experience to help you as quickly as possible.
The strength of the evidence can speed up or slow down a case drastically. Even a fairly simple case might take a long time to resolve if the evidence is scant. Alternatively, complicated cases can go a lot faster when strong evidence supports your claims. Having as much strong evidence on your side as possible can help you get the compensation you need as fast as possible.
Another important factor in your case is the cooperation between parties. When plaintiffs and defendants are willing to cooperate and compromise, they can reach a settlement agreement, and the case can end quickly. However, if settlement negotiations drag on or a settlement cannot be reached, the case might take more time to complete.
Personal injury cases are often connected with criminal behavior. For example, a car accident case could also be a hit-and-run criminal case. Defendants might also be criminally charged and tied up in criminal court hearings in these cases. Your civil case might be temporarily placed on the back burner until the criminal matters are resolved, thus delaying your lawsuit.
Call Our Salem, MA Personal Injury Attorneys
If you were in an accident or suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior, you can file a personal injury lawsuit and get compensation. Our Salem, MA personal injury lawyers are here to help you. Call the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free initial case evaluation.