Archive for the ‘Personal Injury’ Category

Understand Slip and Fall Accidents

You are entitled to claim compensation for an injury which is caused by negligence on the part of a property owner. Slip and falls can happen anywhere, and at any time – in supermarkets, at work, pathways, and restaurants.

There are laws in place to protect the public and impose charges/fines on the people responsible for maintaining and running public places, to ensure the safety of anyone who uses them. The laws apply to employers as well as privately owned establishments/land, and of course to the local officials who are responsible for maintaining the roads and public pathways/pavement.

Personal Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents

Slips and falls are incidents which can have long lasting effects, such as time off work and physical impairments. If you slip over a faulty paving slab in a street, you could end up with a broken limb or severe bruising, or even concussion. This could translate to several weeks off work, and if your company does not offer very much in the way of sick pay, you could find yourself in a precarious financial position. Compensation payouts not only award money for the initial pain and suffering caused by the accident, but they can include damages which can cover for loss of earnings and medical expenses.

Making a Slip and Fall Claim

If you have suffered a slip or fall then there are a few steps you should take to help with your claim. Where possible, you should photograph the area where the incident occurred. You should make sure you take down the contact details of any witnesses who either saw your specific accident happen or who have seen the defective area in person. If anyone else has suffered a personal injury from the same source/situation then you should make sure you have their contact details, as they will be able to back up any evidence you provide. Finally, you should make sure that you have reported the accident to the relevant personnel, whether at work to your manager or to the property manager/owner if the injury happened in a public space.

It can be very easy to feel foolish or irresponsible when you have suffered a personal injury, and many incidents go unreported as a result. It is important to be aware that you are entitled to seek compensation, and in fact encouraged to, if only to highlight the problem to the relevant people to make sure no one else suffers the same fate.

Call a Slip and Fall Lawyer

Claiming is a simple process, and with just a small initial amount of effort you can get the ball rolling with your accident claim.  There really is nothing to lose, and everything to gain. If you are unfortunate enough to have suffered a personal injury due to negligence on the part of a private company, public organization or governing body, you should seek advice from an attorney who will help you to recover the compensation you deserve.

Dogs are Not Always Man’s Best Friend

We all love our dogs and consider them to be a part of the family unit.  Unfortunately, there are approximately 4.5 million dog bite victims every year in the United States.  Almost 50% of all victims are children under the age of 12.

If you, or someone you know, is bitten, it is imperative that you have the bite checked out by a medical provider as soon as possible.  Dogs can be a host to several bacterial and viral infections that you can contract, such as ringworm.  Many dog bite victims suffer permanent scarring and consult with plastic surgeons.  While scarring can be minimized by plastic surgery, most victims are still left with permanent residual scarring.  In addition to physical injuries, many dog bite victims experience emotional trauma, lower self-esteem from visible scarring and a lifetime fear of dogs.

In Arizona, most dog bite attacks are strict liability cases.  The owner of the dog is liable for the dogs actions whether they knew the dog was dangerous or not.  Anytime their dog bites someone they are held liable no matter the situation or circumstances.  The only defense to imposing strict liability is if the dog bite victim provoked the dog into biting.  In other types of injury cases, the victim has to prove negligence in order to receive compensation.

Dog bite claims based on strict liability have a one year statute of limitations.  Subject to several exceptions, a dog bite victim must file a lawsuit within 1 year from the date of loss or his/her strict liability claim may be barred forever.  Claims based on a dog owner’s negligence have a two year statute of limitations.

Dog bite victims are typically compensated for their injuries by the dog owner’s homeowners policy.  If the victim or the parents of the victim are contacted by an insurance carrier, please do not sign any document.  You may be jeopardizing your health and signing away your legal rights.  Since 1996,  Petersen Johnson has successfully handled numerous cases involving dog bite attacks.  Please contact us immediately at (602) 650-1200 so we can compile evidence and maximize your damage recovery.