The Attorneys at Pope McMillan, P.A. are experienced North Carolina personal injury attorneys who represent the rights of those injured in Statesville and other areas of North Carolina.
A personal injury claim provides a legal method for those who experience bodily harm caused by another’s “negligence” to recover compensation. Each person owes a duty of care to others. Any person, corporation, or entity can be negligent if they breach that duty of care. Negligent parties are, therefore, legally liable for any injuries caused by their negligence.
As an example, drivers breach their duty of care if they drive while impaired, drive recklessly, or violate traffic laws. If any of these actions causes an accident, the offending driver is liable for any damage proximately caused by his negligent actions. This same duty of care exists in many other situations, including when a property owner allows a dangerous condition to exist on his property, a manufacturer makes a defective product, or a Doctor improperly performs a medical procedure.
Personal injury can result from all manner of situations. Some of the most common are as follows:
North Carolina law contains provisions that protect individuals harmed in all of the above situations. Different sections of the law, however, apply to each in different ways, ways with which the Attorneys at Pope McMillan are familiar and can ensure are properly applied.
North Carolina law allows injury victims access to several forms of compensation. First, they are entitled to medical expenses caused by the injury. This includes the initial costs associated with stabilizing the injury, such as emergency care at the scene of the accident or in an emergency room, and any future care required such as long-term hospitalization or physical therapy. Second, they can recover for damages incurred due to missing work. These include lost income, future earnings, and other disability benefits. In specific cases, victims are also entitled to damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Finally, if the injury was caused by a defective product, there are a separate set of laws that may allow the victim to bring a claim against the product manufacturer. These laws allow for the recovery of punitive damages, court costs, and attorney fees.
One key component of the law to be aware of is that there is a time limit within which personal injury claims must be brought, known as a “Statute of Limitations.” In North Carolina, a victim must file a suit within three years of the injury. Once the three years elapses, the claim disappears, so if you believe yourself to be the victim of another’s negligence, the sooner you contact the Attorneys at Pope McMillan to explore the options available to you, the better your chances are. Call 704-873-2131 for a consultation or contact us online through this website.
