From slip-and-falls to medical malpractice and car accidents to product liability, personal injury cases can strike anyone at any time. The impact these accidents can have on an individual and family can be extensive, putting you out of work or threatening to bankrupt you to cover the cost of your medical bills.
If someone else caused your injury, you do not have to shoulder the burden alone. A Centennial personal injury lawyer can help you file a legal claim against the person accountable for your injuries, assisting you in seeking the compensation you deserve.
Gerash Steiner Blanton, P.C., has helped countless clients throughout Colorado pursue justice and fight for their rights. Whether the defendant is a corporation or an individual, we can handle even the most complex injury case.
What Are Common Types of Personal Injuries?
Personal injuries encompass a broad range of harms that befall law-abiding citizens. Common examples of personal injury cases include the following:
- Product liability cases,
- Slip-and-fall injuries,
- Car accidents,
- Trucking collisions,
- Railroad accidents,
- Airplane crashes,
- Dog bites,
- Wrongful deaths,
- Premises liability injuries,
- Inadequate security,
- Medical malpractice,
- Construction accidents,
- Birth injuries, and
- Bicycle injuries.
In short, any time someone caused you harm because they did not do what they were supposed to, there is a potential for legal liability. Our team has successfully handled numerous personal injury cases during trial and settlement negotiations. Attorney Eric Steiner, M.D. has over 18 years in the medical profession in addition to over 20 years practicing law. His unique background helps us to adequately represent to the judge and jury the cause and nature of our client’s injuries.
What Do You Need to Prove in a Personal Injury Case?
What you need to prove to win your case depends on the circumstances and the applicable law. Most personal injury cases are based on the principle of negligence, which requires the plaintiff (the injured party) to prove four key elements:
- The at-fault party owed you a duty of care, such as to obey the law or to warn you of dangerous conditions on the property;
- The responsible party failed to meet their duty of care, such as by speeding or not putting up a “Wet Floor” sign;
- The party’s failure led to an accident and your injuries; and
- You suffered damages because of the accident.
You establish these elements by making legal arguments and by putting forth evidence. Materials you might use to prove your claim include the following:
- Medical records,
- Testimony,
- Depositions,
- Photos,
- Physical evidence,
- Security camera footage, and
- Police records.
A Centennial personal injury attorney can help you understand what you need to prove for a successful claim. They can also help you gather evidence and investigate the case to ensure you are putting forth a strong argument in your favor.
What Is the Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Colorado?
Colorado law imposes deadlines, called statutes of limitations, on when injured parties must file a claim against the person responsible for their condition. The deadline that applies to your case depends on the type of claim you are bringing and the circumstances.
For example, you have three years to file a lawsuit if you were injured in a car accident but two years in which to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you suffer a disability after the accident, such as a coma, this generally pauses the statute of limitations. Other circumstances may shorten or lengthen the time you have to file a claim against the person or company responsible for your injuries.
What Compensation Can I Receive If I File a Centennial Personal Injury Case?
The compensation you can receive depends on the type of claim you are bringing, the applicable law, and the facts of your case. Some cases may warrant a high financial award, especially where someone died or suffered a catastrophic injury, while others may not.
The best way to maximize your compensation is to hire an experienced attorney. They understand the applicable laws and what arguments work in court and what do not. Our team has fought and won cases on behalf of numerous clients suffering a wide range of injuries.
Reimbursement for Financial Expenses
You may receive compensation to reimburse you for the financial expenses incurred because of the accident or your injuries. These costs may include medical fees, transportation costs, property repair, and prescription costs. Be sure to save any receipts you receive when you pay for accident-related charges to ensure you have the records you need to prove your claim.
Damages for Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
If you had to miss work because of the accident or your injuries, the settlement package might include this in its calculation. Further, in the case of extensive injuries, if you cannot earn as much as you were before because of your condition, you may be eligible for compensation due to the loss in earning capacity.
Compensation for Pain and Suffering
As you know, the physical loss associated with an accident is only half the story. You must also deal with the injury’s emotional, psychological, and social fallout. For example, you may not be able to run and play with your children or pets like you could before the accident.
Pain and suffering damages seek to compensate you for these losses. It is vital to have an attorney help you calculate your damages for pain and suffering. Insurance companies often try to minimize the “invisible” losses experienced by accident victims to avoid paying out the true worth of the claim, but a lawyer can help ensure you receive what you are entitled to under the law.
Exemplary Damages
In rare cases, a court may award you exemplary or punitive damages. These damages punish the at-fault party for engaging in fraudulent, willful, wanton, or malicious conduct and deter future wrongdoers from engaging in similar conduct. It is uncommon for plaintiffs to receive this type of compensation. A Centennial personal injury attorney can evaluate your claim to determine if you can receive this award.
Gerash Steiner Blanton: Hire an Experienced Centennial Personal Injury Lawyer
At Gerash Steiner Blanton, we pride ourselves on personalizing the practice of law. We intentionally have a small caseload, allowing us to regularly meet with and talk to our clients so they feel heard. At our office, you are a face and a name, not a number, and you meet with the attorney assigned to your case.
We will advocate for you in court and during negotiations to help ensure you receive fair compensation under the law. Daniel Gerash has over 30 years of experience practicing personal injury law, serving on the board of directors of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association in 2003, a position he continues to hold today.
If you or your loved one were injured because of someone else’s actions, contact our office today by calling or filling out an online contact form to schedule a consultation.