Personal Injury Law in Michigan
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident – car – truck – motorcycle – boat – defective product – dog bite – nursing home abuse – medical malpractice, you may be wondering how life can go on as normal around you.
How can those people be walking in the park or going to the grocery store when my life has changed so dramatically – when I’m in so much pain?
We understand. Personal injury attorneys help injured people and recognize that you are likely still in shock, highly stressed, angry, sad, and scared. In fact, you may be wondering what the future will bring – how you’ll handle it all – and how you’ll pay your bills.
If this sounds like what you are feeling, this article was written for you – in this very situation. A qualified personal injury lawyer will provide the specifics applicable to your case, but in the meantime, we’ll discuss:
- The kinds of cases that Michigan personal injury lawyers handle.
- What you need to prove in a personal injury case.
- Why you should call a lawyer immediately.
- How to find a Michigan Personal Injury Attorney.
Would a Michigan Personal Injury Attorney Handle My Case?
Check out Michigan PI attorney websites by linking through our site, www.attorneys.org. You can see what types of cases they take or ask for a free consultation, so you can find out if you have a case without paying a fee.
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Motor vehicles cause injuries: ATV, RV, car, motorcycle, truck, cruise ship, boat, ferry, golf cart, amusement park, construction zone, pedestrian, bicycle, and mass accidents.
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Defective products cause injuries: Cars, tools, appliances, power tools, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, saws, machines, medications, kitchen tools, equipment, and chemicals.
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Medical malpractice causes injuries: Misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, failure to treat, birth injuries, wrongful death, inappropriate surgery, adverse medication reactions, and mistakes in surgery.
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These are example injuries: Food-borne illnesses, birth injuries, brain injuries, adverse drug reactions, scars, fractures, lacerations, broken bones, nursing home abuse injuries, burns, bruises, Mesothelioma (i.e. cancer), slip and falls injuries, dog bites, and wrongful death.
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A note about Workers Compensation: Even though workers injured on the job are covered by Workman’s Compensation, sometimes workers need assistance getting their rightful benefits or getting compensation from the manufacturer or distributor of a harmful and defective product.
How Do I Prove My Michigan Personal Injury Case?
To win your case, you must prove negligence. There are other theories of liability, but in Michigan, negligence is the most common.
- Show the defendant had a duty to you and failed to act as a reasonable prudent person in that same situation would act.
- Show that the defendant’s unreasonable actions or inactions caused your injury.
- Show that you suffered legal damages because of those injuries.
Why Should I Call a Personal Injury Lawyer Immediately?
- You’ll get advice immediately.
- An investigator will gather evidence before it’s lost.
- Insurance companies will pounce on you and you might say something wrong if you don’t have legal counsel.
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You must file your case by the legal time limit (aka “statute of limitations”).
Here are some example Michigan statute of limitations for personal injury cases:
- Medical Malpractice is 2years (Mich. Comp. Laws В§ 600.5805(6)).
- Personal Injury is 3 years (Mich. Comp. Laws В§ 600.5805(10)).
- Wrongful Death is 3 years (Mich. Comp. Laws В§ 600.5805(10)).
- Property Damage is3 years (Mich. Comp. Laws В§ 600.5805(10)).
How Do I Find a Michigan Personal Injury Attorney?
To find a Michigan personal injury lawyer, search our site, www.attorneys.org, or ask the bar association or a loved one for a referral.
