GETTING COMPENSATED

AN INTRODUCTION TO PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS

Law Offices of Scott D. Hughes

620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1100
Newport Beach, CA 92660
714-423-6928
[Link]

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PERSONAL INJURY GUIDE
Getting injured can be stressful, painful and even life-changing in
some cases. A personal injury can take place during almost any situation
in one’s life, whether it is at the workplace, hospital or while driving a car.

In many circumstances the accident could have been prevented. If you have
suffered an accident or injury due to someone else’s carelessness, you may
choose to pursue compensation for your personal injury from those responsible
for the harm.

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2 Getting Compensated - An Introduction to Personal Injury Claims

 Source: USAttorneys
Some common types of personal injuries are:

Motor vehicle accidentsLQYROYLQJFDUVWUXFNVPRWRUF\FOHVELF\FOHVRU

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bad weather.

Medical malpracticeLQZKLFKWKHQHJOLJHQFHRIKRVSLWDOVGRFWRUVQXUVHV
and other medical professionals leads to serious injuries. There are many
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3 Getting Compensated - An Introduction to Personal Injury Claims

Premises liabilityLQWKHIRUPRIVOLSDQGIDOODFFLGHQWVFDXVHGE\GDQJHURXV
conditions on someone else’s property. Such accidents can occur anywhere
from commercial properties such as restaurants and retail stores to public
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Premises liability in the form of slip-and-fall
accidents caused by dangerous conditions on
someone else’s property. Such accidents can occur
anywhere from commercial properties such as
restaurants and retail stores to public swimming
pools and parking lots.

Faulty or dangerous products can cause considerable harm. Examples

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such products can be held responsible.

Wrongful death lawsuitsFDQDULVHLIDSHUVRQLVNLOOHGGXHWRVRPHRQHHOVHȢV

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cases are different from those for nonfatal personal injuries.

4 Getting Compensated - An Introduction to Personal Injury Claims

DO I HAVE A CASE?
? If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s carelessness or
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+RZHYHUVLPSO\EHLQJLQMXUHGLVQRWHQRXJKJURXQGVWRˋOHDODZVXLW

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personal injury claims. In order to have a case, one must demonstrate that
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resulted in harm that would merit compensation.

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had a duty of care in the circumstances that caused the injury. If the person or
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5 Getting Compensated - An Introduction to Personal Injury Claims

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‘‘
Once the breach of conduct is established, the
victim must show that they suffered genuine injuries
as a result of the defendant’s actions or failure to act.

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failed to meet that standard of care. Once the breach of conduct is established,
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of a claim.

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even a combination of these can be sued if multiple parties are deemed to
be responsible for the injury. Besides all of the above circumstances, true
accidents can still occur due to uncontrollable circumstances. In such cases,
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their duty of care.

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lawsuit is the best course of action.

6 Getting Compensated - An Introduction to Personal Injury Claims

HOW MUCH
IS MY CASE WORTH?
S Many factors affect the settlement amount of a case. Early in the case, it
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‘‘
A personal injury victim can receive compensatory
damages and punitive damages. Both have limits on
the amount that can be awarded.

Compensatory damagesDUHDZDUGHGIRUDQ\ˋQDQFLDOORVVHVH[SHULHQFHG
because of the injuries. These can include medical bills, the cost of future
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RIHQMR\PHQWDQGIXWXUHFDUHWDNLQJH[SHQVHVDUHDSSOLFDEOHGHSHQGLQJRQWKH
nature of the injuries.

7 Getting Compensated - An Introduction to Personal Injury Claims

 Source: [Link]

Punitive damagesUHIHUWRZKDWLVRIWHQDVLJQLˋFDQWDPRXQWRIPRQH\WKDW
LVLQWHQGHGWRSXQLVKWKHZURQJGRHUIRUWKHLUQHJOLJHQWEHKDYLRU7KH\DSSO\WR
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a recall.

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injuries. If someone else is to blame, then the victim is entitled to receive all
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is different if you were careless and partially at fault for the accident and
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8 Getting Compensated - An Introduction to Personal Injury Claims

In addition, when a person has suffered injuries due to someone else’s
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trial, the plaintiff will receive compensation proportionate to the harm that
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severity of the injury, but also on how seriously it affects the person’s life.
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‘‘
The damages awarded depend on not only the
physical severity of the injury, but also on how
seriously it affects the person’s life.

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the parties, their insurance companies and their attorneys, or may be ordered
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evaluate your case to determine what settlement would be fair or unfair.

9 Getting Compensated - An Introduction to Personal Injury Claims

HOW LONG
DO I HAVE TO FILE MY
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM?
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‘‘
The timeframe a personal injury victim has
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of limitations.

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time you have to sue after you become aware of the harm you have suffered.
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years may pass before a person learns of the injury and its complete impact.

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to sue and receive compensation for the injury. The statutes of limitations
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accident or medical malpractice. They also vary across different U.S. states.

10 Getting Compensated - An Introduction to Personal Injury Claims

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injury before the statute of limitations expires.

Source: Nolo

11 Getting Compensated - An Introduction to Personal Injury Claims

WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I DECIDE
TO FILE MY CLAIM?
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complexity of your case and whether it can be settled without a trial.

‘‘
Most personal injury lawsuits do not go to trial.
In general, straightforward cases can be decided
in around six months.

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cases can be decided in around six months. For example, one party may admit
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12 Getting Compensated - An Introduction to Personal Injury Claims

GETTING COMPENSATED: AN INTRODUCTION
TO PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS

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