Introduction To Personal Injury Liability Law
Injuries caused by falls, vehicle accidents and other unfortunate circumstances can often result in the need for expensive medical care, in addition to other financial damage such as lost income – not to mention the pain and discomfort caused by the injury itself. When people in Arizona are injured as a result of someone else’s risky or careless behavior – also known as negligence – they have the option of using the legal system to seek financial compensation from the person or entity responsible for causing the injury. This process is known as filing a personal injury lawsuit.
What types of injuries can be compensated?
Injuries of all different types can trigger a personal injury lawsuit. Common examples include:
- Vehicle accidents
- Falls on stairs, sidewalks and walkways
- Sports injuries
- Swimming pool accidents
- Dog bites
A personal injury lawsuit can also arise out of deliberate injuries such as those caused by physical assault or other criminal behavior. Because the standard of proof is lower in civil court (where personal injury claims are heard) than it is in criminal court, a person can be held liable for injuries caused by illegal behavior even if they not convicted of a crime.
What types of compensation are available?
Under Arizona law, a person who is injured as a result of someone else’s negligence may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of losses. Depending on the circumstances, these may include the injured person’s pain and suffering, both past and future, as well as other types of harm such as:
- Past and future wage loss
- Past and future medical and hospitalization costs
- Past and future rehabilitation
In addition, people who have has lost the ability to perform everyday tasks such as laundry and yard work as a result of their injuries may also be able to recover the cost of hiring someone to perform those services for them.
Wrongful death in Arizona
When a person dies as a result of someone else’s negligence in Arizona, the law allows his or her surviving family members to file a wrongful death suit against the negligent party. A wrongful death suit is similar in some regards to a personal injury claim, in that it allows the survivors of the deceased individual to recover compensation for some of the financial losses they sustain as a result of the death.
In Arizona, a wrongful death claim may be brought by a deceased person’s surviving spouse, children or parents. These individuals may be able to recover compensation for financial losses such as medical and funeral expenses, as well as lost income and financial support. Compensation may also be available for the harm suffered by family members as a result of the loss of the relationship with the deceased individual, which is known in legal parlance as loss of consortium.
Contact a lawyer
If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to the negligence of a person or business in Arizona, discuss your situation with an attorney to explore the possibility of taking legal action against the negligent party. An experienced personal injury lawyer can explain your rights and legal options and help you decide whether to pursue a claim for compensation.