Each year, millions of people suffer injuries requiring medical attention. Among those injuries, a common cause in Canada is vehicle accidents, assault, and poorly maintained premises.
These unintentional injuries caused by the negligence of others are known as personal injury cases. These types of cases are eligible for compensation as personal injury cases. To learn more about personal injury law in Alberta, read about these more common causes of these injuries.
Vehicle Accidents
Among the most common personal injury claims are vehicle accidents. In 2020, more than 101,000 injuries occurred from vehicle accidents, according to Transport Canada’s National Collision Database. These accidents can be caused by careless drivers, drivers operating their vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or drivers illegally operating vehicles. Drivers who act negligently can be held accountable for these accidents, including paying victims who suffered from the accidents.
Premises Liability
An accident on someone else’s property due to defective or dangerous conditions can result in a premises claim. These types of accidents can occur in businesses like shopping malls, restaurants, and grocery stores, and in residential areas like community swimming pools and a neighbor’s house.
Medical Malpractice
The negligence of doctors and other medical professionals during medical procedures can lead to medical malpractice claims. When patients suffer severe injuries or death in these procedures because of negligence, a personal injury claim can be filed. These cases require proof that the medical professional failed to provide the competent care that would be expected in that particular situation.
These personal injury claims can be some of the most complicated to pursue. They include everything from surgical mistakes, birth injuries, improper treatment, and misdiagnosis.
Assault
A violent act like an assault that results in injury or death can lead to a personal injury claim. Assault is committed when a person takes action to hurt someone else. They may use a weapon, an object or their own hands. Unlike other types of personal injury claims that may be based on negligence, assault is based on the intentional wrongful action of one person that harms another person. In addition to a civil personal injury claim, a person who assaults another will also likely face criminal charges.
Work Accidents
When an employee is injured on the job due to unsafe working conditions, malfunctioning equipment, or poor training, this can result in a personal injury case. These are among some of the most common types of personal injury claims. Workers employed as laborers, movers, nurses, and trailer drivers are among the most susceptible to these types of injuries. While laws may require employers to compensate workers for injuries, an experienced personal injury lawyer can ensure that the worker receives all the compensation they deserve after an accident.
Construction workers are among the most vulnerable workers when it comes to workplace injuries. Construction areas often include dangerous conditions, hazardous materials and unstable working conditions that can lead to injuries.
Animal bites
Each year, millions of people are bitten by pets. Thousands of those victims must obtain medical treatment at local hospitals. These types of injuries can lead to personal injury claims, holding the pet’s owners accountable. However, these claims can be difficult to pursue because the case may require proof that the owner knew the pet was potentially dangerous. If this cannot be proven, it may be difficult to establish negligence.
