What are the Different Types of Personal Injury Claims in Pittsburgh?

By Ben Gobel on November 6, 2023

There are various situations where you can file a personal injury claim in Pittsburgh. Understanding them is important, so you know which type of personal injury claim is best suited for your case. It always helps to consult with a reputed and experienced attorney to assess your case and offer advice on your legal options. This blog will provide you with a basic understanding of different types of personal injury cases in Pittsburgh, and how an attorney can help you with the legal process of an injury claim.

Overview of Personal Injury Claims

Incidents that cause injuries can happen anywhere to anyone. If they are caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of another party, the victims have the right to file a personal injury claim against the responsible party.

Personal injury law, also referred to as tort law, allows victims to seek compensation for the damages caused by the incident. The claim can be against a person, company, or any entity directly liable for the injuries. Most types of personal injury claims in Pittsburgh have a 2-year statute of limitations, but this can change depending on the type of claim.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

One of the most common types of personal injury claims is for motor vehicle accidents. While you can seek compensation for damages such as lost income and medical expenses, compensation for property damage is typically not offered in personal injury claims. Pittsburgh follows a modified comparative negligence law, which states that a plaintiff’s damages are reduced by their share of fault in the accident. If the share of fault is more than 50%, you cannot recover any damages.

Premises Liability Claims

A premises liability claim is when you get injured on someone else’s property as a result of their negligence. According to Pennsylvania law, property owners and occupants are required to provide a reasonably safe environment for guests on their property. If there is a safety hazard, the guests should be clearly informed of the danger.

Common causes of premises liability injuries include wet or slippery floors, poor lighting, inadequate security, dog bites, and trip hazards such as loose rugs or wiring. For a successful premises liability claim, the plaintiff has to prove that the property owner or manager knew or should have known about the hazard and had a reasonable amount of time to fix or post a warning about it.

Medical Malpractice Claims

Medical malpractice is the deviation from the acceptable standard of care expected from a hospital, doctor, nurse, or healthcare professional. The negligence of any healthcare professional can lead to injuries to the patient, who has the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. Medical malpractice could be a result of surgical errors, failure to diagnose, misdiagnosis, anesthesia errors, lack of informed consent, and other reasons.

There is often a jury or judge bias in favor of hospitals and doctors, so medical malpractice cases are some of the most challenging types of personal injury claims. However, if your attorney can provide solid evidence, you could have a strong case to recover compensation.

Product Liability Claims

If you are injured due to a defective product, medication recall, or foodborne illness you can file a product liability claim against the party responsible for the defect. A defective product could be harmful in its composition, design, or manufacture. There could also be a failure to warn customers of the risks of using the product. Such claims can be made against the manufacturer, distributor, designer, importer, or seller of the product. The liability depends on who was responsible for the defect.

Workplace Injury Claims

It is the responsibility of employers to provide a safe work environment for their employees. However, accidents can happen in the workplace. The injured workers can seek compensation for their damages. A personal injury claim is different from a workers’ compensation claim. A worker’s compensation is a no-fault system, so qualifying employees are covered regardless of who is at fault. There are also differences in the scope of compensation and the legal process.

Consult With Experienced Attorneys In Pittsburgh

If you suffered an injury that was someone else’s fault, you could have a personal injury claim. Consult with an attorney to learn more about the legal aspects of personal injury claims to determine if your case qualifies. Legal advocate for injuries in Pittsburgh can help you with all legal aspects of personal injury claims, including the investigation, gathering evidence, and settlement negotiations, and if necessary, they can represent you in court.