Sustaining any unexpected injury can be a difficult experience for many reasons. If you have been injured, you might not be prepared to pay for your medical treatment. Your injuries could also prevent you from earning an income if they are severe enough to prevent you from working. Additionally, an injury can leave you struggling with non-economic challenges, such as pain and suffering.
Ideally, you will never be injured in a manner that disrupts your life. If you are, though, it is important to understand that you may be eligible for compensation.
Review your case with an attorney at Shulman & Hill to learn more about your legal options. Our Long Island personal injury lawyers will determine if you may have grounds to seek compensation. If you do, we are prepared to offer the aggressive representation you deserve. Schedule a free legal consultation today to learn more.
Types of Long Island Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury cases come in many forms. The circumstances surrounding your injury will impact whether you can pursue compensation for your medical bills and related losses, as well as how you may go about doing so.
The following are among the most common types of personal injury cases:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
New York is a no-fault state. Long Island car accident victims can receive benefits from their own insurance policy for initial medical treatment and some economic losses, regardless of fault. However, if a negligent party caused your accident, such as another driver or a truck company, you may be able to pursue additional compensation for pain and suffering and related losses by filing a lawsuit.
The no-fault rule does not apply to motorcycle accidents. Injured motorcyclists can only seek compensation by filing a lawsuit against the negligent driver who may have caused their accident.
This highlights one of the many reasons it is wise to enlist the help of the experts at our Long Island personal injury law firm when pursuing compensation. If you do not have legal training and experience, you may not know the proper way to seek the compensation you might be entitled to.
Pedestrian Accidents and Bike Accidents
Motorists are not the only ones who may be involved in accidents while navigating Long Island’s roads. Cyclists and pedestrians can also be harmed if drivers are careless or reckless.
The injuries someone may sustain if they are involved in a Long Island pedestrian accident or bike accident can be quite severe. Pedestrians and cyclists are often more vulnerable to brain injuries, for example, than motorists because they do not have the protection the metal frame of a car or truck provides.
Premises Liability Cases
Property owners, property managers, and business owners have a legal duty to minimize the chances of anyone becoming hurt while on their property. Premises liability laws require such parties to take reasonable steps to keep employees, customers, and other guests safe.
“Reasonable” is a key word here. Consider the following scenario: You are injured in an airport restaurant because you slipped on an item that had fallen to the floor. You might have grounds to seek compensation by filing a lawsuit against the restaurant owner. Whether you have justification to file a lawsuit will depend on certain factors.
Restaurant owners must train employees to keep an eye out for potential hazards. Any hazards that employees identify must be addressed in a timely manner. If it can be shown that an employee should have noticed and removed the item over which you tripped by the time your accident occurred, you may be eligible for compensation.
This is another reason to hire a Long Island personal injury attorney if you suspect you have grounds to seek compensation for losses resulting from someone else’s negligence. Proving a party was negligent and failed to act as a reasonable property owner would often requires a thorough understanding of the nuances of premises liability laws.
Work-Related Accidents
Accidents that occur when a worker is operating in the scope of their employment are unique when compared to other Long Island personal injury cases. If an accident was work-related, an injured party can typically seek compensation by filing a claim to collect from their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. They do not have to show another party’s negligence caused their accident to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. However, it is still important to seek representation from a Long Island workers’ compensation lawyer in these circumstances as some insurers may try to deny valid claims.
Injured workers may also qualify to file a personal injury lawsuit if a party other than their employer (such as a property owner, general contractor, or subcontractor) caused their injury or illness. A personal injury lawsuit may result in additional compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and more.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Dogs and other types of pets may have the potential to seriously injure others. Pet owners must take reasonable steps to prevent them from doing so, particularly if they have a history of violence. If you were injured as a result of a dog bite or animal attack on Long Island, review your case with a Long Island personal injury lawyer to learn if you may be able to seek compensation.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Nursing home abuse and neglect are, unfortunately, more common than many realize. Some facilities may neglect residents by failing to regularly bathe, feed, or administer medications. Staff may also physically abuse residents.
If you suspect a loved one is the victim of such abuse, contact an attorney to ensure the liable parties are held accountable.
Why Choose Shulman & Hill?
The examples listed here are just some of the types of cases our Long Island personal injury lawyers handle. Over the years we have recovered more than $200 million for injured New Yorkers due to our dedicated and meticulous approach to each and every case.
To learn more about how we can help you, call us today at 212-221-1000 or contact us online to schedule your free legal consultation.