When Does a Personal Injury Become a Legal Issue?
Aches and pains happen. Bumps and bruises occur. Cuts and scrapes are part of life. You could even add broken bones and toothaches to the mix. Injuries are just a part of existence. But, not all damages are created equal. And if they are severe enough to impact your life, you may find yourself asking the question of when does a personal injury become a legal issue? If someone else is liable for damage that severely impacts your livelihood, when do you get the law involved?
There are several answers to this question. First, a personal injury becomes a legal issue as soon as you call a lawyer. Second, if someone’s negligence causes serious harm or damage to your health or your economic circumstances, bringing in the law is appropriate. And third, if the environment in which an injury occurred was what created the issue, there are legal ramifications for whoever is in charge of that environment.
As Soon as You Call a Lawyer
After a personal injury occurs, many people choose to call a lawyer. As soon as this contact is made, the damage becomes a legal issue. Even if it’s just a consultation, when you bring an attorney into the fold, it moves the situation into a different category. It is still up to you whether you do anything about the injury, for example, if you decide to sue someone, but at the very least, there is a solid record of you considering the legal implications of harm that was done to you.
If Negligence Causes Serious Damage
Another time personal injuries become legal issues is if negligence was at the core of the situation. For example, in cases of medical malpractice, doctors or medical institutions did not follow through with specifically regulated behavior. Especially when it comes to hospitals, there are expectations of a degree of care that you have to provide each patient.
Intentionally or unintentionally, if a hospital does not fulfill this obligation, they are liable to be sued, and there is a high potential for them to be found at fault.
If the Environment Is in an Unsafe State
When it comes to private ownership, people who have possession of an environment are legally responsible to maintain it. If you own a storefront, you are responsible for maintaining the sidewalk in front of it. If someone is injured in a slip and fall accident because you have not kept your property up, then you are liable. This is why business owners purchase insurance. But rather than having to deal with the aftermath of an accident, it’s just much better to maintain your property in an appropriate condition.
