Mauldin Personal Injury Lawyer

When people are physically injured because of someone else’s negligent actions, the injured victims might be able to sue the person responsible for the harm. Personal injury cases may involve a wide range of accidents and injuries, and you should speak to an attorney who is familiar with claims like yours. People often underestimate the importance of a personal injury case, and much financial compensation might be at stake.

Personal injury cases may involve a vast array of claims. You might have been hurt by a defective item you purchased. Maybe you were hurt while at work. Still, you might have a catastrophic injury like a brain or spinal injury. Your damages reflect the magnitude of your losses, and severe injuries often lead to substantial damages and financial compensation. It is best to get started on your case as soon as possible. Many plaintiffs have only 3 years from the accident to file a case. You should speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer about how your accident happened, how to prove it, and what your damages might be worth.

Call our Greenville, SC personal injury attorneys with Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (803) 219-4906 and ask for a free initial case review to begin.

How Personal Injuries Can Happen in Mauldin

How your personal injury occurred can tell us all kinds of important information about your case. We can figure out what your damages are worth, who should be held accountable, and what kind of evidence our personal injury lawyers need to prove your case. Since personal injury law is so vast and includes all kinds of accidents and injuries, determining precisely how yours occurred might be easier said than done.

Defective Goods

Many plaintiffs claim that they were hurt when an item they purchased malfunctioned. This is not an uncommon problem, as most people probably have a story of something they just bought failing to work properly. While some only must return the defective item and get a refund, others are far less lucky. Some products become dangerous when they are defective. For example, electronic equipment might malfunction and spark, catching fire. Objects with blades (e.g., power tools, lawnmowers, kitchen appliances) might cause severe cuts and lacerations. Get emergency treatment for your injuries and be sure to keep the defective product. We might need it as evidence.

Accidents at Work

Other personal injury plaintiffs are hurt while at work. This is a somewhat common issue in jobs involving some inherent risk. For example, factory workers must be careful around tools and machinery. If some machinery malfunctions, breaks down, or is used improperly, people might get hurt. Alternatively, a workplace accident might involve a less complicated set of circumstances. Maybe you were walking up your office stairwell when you fell because there was no safety railing. In either situation, we might be able to sue your employer or someone else responsible for your injuries.

Catastrophic Injuries

Some injuries are so severe that they can only be described as catastrophic, life-altering events. For example, injured victims who experience brain damage might have to live with permanent cognitive impairments that prevent them from living a normal life. They might be unable to return to work or live independently ever again.

Another catastrophic injury involves spinal damage. Such injuries can leave victims permanently paralyzed and unable to walk. Depending on where the injury occurs, a person might be paralyzed from the waist down, chest down, or even the neck down.

How Much Time You Have to File a Personal Injury Case in Mauldin

Your time to file your case in court is not as long as you might think. The statute of limitation under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(5) imposes a strict 3-year limitation period on personal injury claims. This means a plaintiff has only 3 years from the day they are initially injured to prepare a case and file it with the court. If this window closes and we have not filed anything, you might be prohibited from ever filing the claim and never get the compensation you need.

However, there may be ways to buy extra time, depending on the circumstances. Tolling the statute of limitation pauses the clock counting down the limitation period. This may only be available for plaintiffs under very specific circumstances. According to § 15-3-40, tolling may be available for plaintiffs with legal disabilities or those who are minors.

A legal disability is often a mental or psychological condition that prevents a plaintiff from understanding their injuries or their rights to file a claim. Under such circumstances, a plaintiff may have the statute of limitations tolled until their disability is removed. If the plaintiff were a minor when they were injured, the limitation period would not even begin until they turn 18, meaning they have until age 21 to file a personal injury case.

Recoverable Damages in Mauldin Personal Injury Claims

Your damages may vary greatly depending on how you were hurt and the extent of your losses. While many losses are evaluated based on how much money they cost the plaintiff, other damages are unrelated to money and must be evaluated on a more subjective basis.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are rooted in how much money they cost. One of the most significant sources of economic damages is medical treatment. If you were badly hurt, you likely needed emergency medical care. Even if your injuries were not severe, you should be checked out by a doctor. Medical care is notoriously expensive, and your medical bills should be added to your damages.

We should also think about the property damage you might have suffered. Were you in a car accident, and your vehicle was totaled? Did you somehow lose personal items when the accident occurred? The value of your damaged or lost property should be assessed and added to your claim.

Non-Economic Damages

Some damages are based on how they affect the plaintiff mentally, emotionally, or psychologically. These damages are often unrelated to financial costs but may still warrant financial compensation. You may claim non-economic damages such as pain, emotional distress, humiliation, damage to your reputation, and the loss of enjoyment of your life. These damages are very subjective, and the jury usually determines their worth.

Contact Our Mauldin Personal Injury Attorneys to Begin Your Case

Call our personal injury attorneys with Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (803) 219-4906 and ask for a free initial case review to begin.