Personal Injury
A civil legal claim for compensation arising from physical or psychological harm caused by another party's negligence or intentional act.
Personal injury law covers civil claims for harm caused by the negligence, recklessness, or intentional acts of another. Common cases include auto accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, medical malpractice, product liability, dog bites, and workplace injuries. The goal is to compensate the injured party through monetary damages.
Damages include economic damages (medical bills past and future, lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). Some states cap non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. Punitive damages may be available for especially egregious conduct.
Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency fees—typically 33% of the recovery if settled before trial, 40% if tried. This allows injured parties with limited funds to access legal representation without upfront costs. Always consult an attorney before accepting any settlement offer from an insurance company.
Real-World Example
After a rear-end collision left her with a herniated disc requiring surgery, the injured driver hired a personal injury attorney on contingency and settled for $185,000—triple the insurer's initial offer.