Sources of Personal Injury Claims
Posted Friday, May 18, 2018 by Chris Thayer
Accidents happen. But when an accident is caused by another person’s negligence, the injured party is entitled to compensation. Here are eight common sources of injury that lead to personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits in Washington:
- Car accidents: Negligent driving is a common cause of personal injury and wrongful death. Texting while behind the wheel, drinking and driving, speeding, and failure to follow posted traffic signs are all examples of negligent behaviors that cause accidents.
- Slip-and-fall accidents: Slippery retail floors are dangerous to both customers and employees. If a liquid substance is spilled on the floor and not cleaned up or blocked off in some way, odds are than someone will slip and fall because of it.
- Defective products: Under Washington’s products liability law, manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, and marketers are all responsible for ensuring that their products are safe for consumers. If a product is not designed or manufactured properly, or if someone fails to warn consumers about a product’s risks, then they could be liable for any resulting injuries.
- Assault or battery: Some assault and battery victims might not realize that they have the right to file a civil lawsuit. While criminal prosecution is one way to seek justice, it is designed to punish the wrongdoer, not to make the victim whole. Also keep in mind that prosecution is not a prerequisite to seeking civil compensation.
- Dog bites: Pet owners can be held liable for injuries caused by their dogs and other pets. Animal bites and scratches can cause serious injuries and should not be taken lightly. Seek medical attention immediately, especially if the animal might have rabies.
- Bike accidents: Bicyclists often share the roads with cars, which puts them at risk of collisions with negligent drivers. Note that drivers owe the same duty of care to bicyclists as they do to other drivers. Everyone on the road has a duty to drive safely.
- Pedestrian accidents: Pedestrians, too, are in danger of being struck by negligent drivers. They are owed the same duty of care by drivers, bicyclists, and anyone on the road. Remember that pedestrians always have the right of way.
- Defamation: Someone who makes a false statement that harms another person may be guilty of defamation and liable for damages to that person’s reputation. Written defamation is called libel, and spoken defamation is called slander.
The deadline for filing most personal injury lawsuits in Washington is three years from the date of the accident, including negligence and product liability claims (this timeline also applies to wrongful death lawsuits). However, defamation, assault, and battery claims must be brought within two years.
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Contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation if you were injured in a car or slip-and-fall accident, by a defective product or dog bite, or any other incident potentially caused by someone else’s negligence. Our experienced attorneys will examine the facts of your case and help recover compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.