Potential Liable Parties in Personal Injury Claims

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Potential Liable Parties in Personal Injury Claims

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Identifying liable parties in an injury claim is essential to getting fair compensation for your injuries. Liability issues can be complex and confusing, which is why most injured people enlist the assistance of a personal injury attorney for help with their claim.

Accidents and injuries are a part of life. We’ve all experienced them and had to deal with their consequences. However, if an individual is injured as a result of another party’s negligence, they have legal recourse. They likely have a personal injury claim. One crucial factor in such a claim is determining who is liable. When you hire a Chicago personal injury lawyer, they will evaluate your claim to identify the person or party who caused your injuries and hold them accountable. 

Who is Liable for Your Injuries?

Only injuries involving a liable party are valid personal injury claims, no matter the type of accident that occurred. How do you know if a party has liability? If anyone owed the injured individual a duty of care under the circumstances but violated that duty, they might be liable. Consider the following examples of injury liability.

Other Drivers

All drivers must obey the rules of the road and drive in a manner to prevent accidents. If they fail to do so, they are breaching their duty of care. Suppose you were in a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or semi-truck accident. In that case, another driver could be liable for your injuries if they breached their duty by:

1. Texting and driving
2. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
3. Knowingly drove a dangerous vehicle
4. Failed to stop at a stop sign
5. Failed to yield the right of way

Medical Providers

Doctors and other medical professionals must treat patients according to the current standard of care in their field. Examples of not doing so include:

1. Giving the wrong dose or type of medication
2. Performing surgery on the wrong arm or leg
3. Failing to monitor a patient for complications

If you have reason to believe that a medical provider violated their duty to provide you or a loved one with the appropriate standard of care, don’t hesitate to talk to a Chicago personal injury attorney.

Property Owners

Private, commercial, and government property owners all have a duty to keep their property safe for visitors and guests. If they fail to correct or warn of hazards they were or should have been aware of, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries. 

For example, if a homeowner failed to make necessary repairs to their front porch and caused you to fall, you might have an injury claim. Suppose the grocery store didn’t shovel or remove ice in their parking lot or sidewalks after a storm. In that case, they are liable if you fall and suffer injuries. 

Depending on the type of your personal injury accident and where it occurred, other parties could be liable, including:

1. Product designers, manufacturers, or distributers
2. Municipalities
3. Dog owners or handlers

Get Help from a Skilled Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Today

You don’t need to determine how your accident happened or who is liable for your injuries when you hire an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer. They will assess the circumstances that led to your injury to find out who is at fault.

Get your claim started with a free case evaluation with the skilled personal injury attorneys at Malman Law today. All you have to do is call (312) 629-0099 or fill out our convenient online contact form.