Whether you were injured in a car accident or at work, it is important to know your rights and receive the support to which you are entitled. We know that the law can be challenging to understand, and you may be confused about what steps to take and in what order. The caring team at Edmonson Law Firm can help you navigate the process and decrease your stress in this difficult time.
Personal Injury Rights
Personal injuries include any damage to a person’s body, emotions, or reputation. These can be caused by a car accident, assault, product defect, defamation, or invasion of privacy. You have the right to make a personal injury claim based on either:
- Negligence – is the most common reason for personal injury claims. This means that someone acted outside the normal level of care or expectation. For example, a case of negligence could be when a dog owner does not take proper precautions to fence their pet that then bites someone causing serious injury.
- Intentional Wrongs occur in cases when the person at fault is meant to cause harm to someone else. These personal injuries can be false imprisonment, trespassing, battery, or intentionally causing emotional distress.
- Strict Liability is applied as a ground for personal injury claims when the facts of the case show there was neither negligence nor intent on the part of the responsible party. A common example of this is when a company can be held liable for a product defect that causes an injury even though they did not intentionally make a defective product.
If you are successful in proving your personal injury case, you may collect money to offset the costs incurred because of your personal injury. These can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and travel expenses.
Worker’s Compensation Rights
In Georgia, all workers are protected by the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation Bill of Rights for the Injured Worker. It outlines rights for employees and employers. If you are injured at work, be sure you refer to these guidelines to protect yourself and your family.
The first right states that: If you are injured on the job, you may receive medical rehabilitation and income benefits. The subsequent rights outline the regulations regarding how and when to report an injury and parameters for benefit payments. The document also accounts for benefits a spouse should receive in the event of a death caused by an on-the-job accident.
Understanding your rights and acting accordingly can help you receive the right benefits for your worker’s compensation claim. Hiring a lawyer is not required to submit a claim in Georgia, but having an expert on your side can help you navigate the paperwork and processes. If you want to talk to someone about your personal injury or worker’s compensation claim, reach out to Edmonson Law Firm for a complimentary consultation. Our dedicated team will get the details of your situation and advise you on the best next steps based on your rights.