Personal injury law basically refers to the legal defenses and remedies involved in civil lawsuits that are brought forth as the result of wrongful conduct. In fact, the term tort is derived from a Latin term meaning twist, harm, or wrong. Unlike criminal law, a tort action does not involve the government prosecuting the defendant. In most cases, the plaintiff seeks compensation, usually in the form of finances, for the harm or injury caused by the defendant’s actions or inactions. A Toronto personal injury lawyer can help you navigate through the ins and outs of personal injury law so that you achieve a favorable outcome.
In today’s world, no one can be 100% safe; there are risks and dangers all around us. However, this does not mean that people should be negligent in their duties to ensure that those around them or under their charge operate in a safe environment. A huge number of people tend to suffer from physical, mental, or emotional pain due to serious injury. If such a situation was the result of negligent acts by another party, it is expected that you would want to seek some sort of compensation for the different kinds of injuries you would have suffered. In certain situations, you may be forced to appeal a decision that awards you a meager amount of compensation by the other party’s insurance company.
A major portion of personal injury cases are based on the principle of negligence. In a nutshell, negligence demands that each member of the society behave responsibly and avoid putting others in harm’s way. However, this is not to say that negligence will always result in someone getting hurt.
The doctrine accepts that some accidents are unavoidable. In order to establish liability, the plaintiff has to show that a reasonable and prudent person in the defendants’ situation would have acted in a different manner were he or she confronted with the same circumstances.
Examples of negligent behavior include medical issues resulting from a doctor’s carelessness; vehicle accidents caused by drunk drivers, or dog bites that happen when animals are allowed to roam free. In every one of these instances, the responsible party disregarded the risk posed to others, and as a result, someone ended up getting injured.
Once negligent conduct has been established in a personal injury case, the defendant must compensate the plaintiff for the injuries caused by their actions. Certain kinds of damages are much easier to calculate than others, such as medical bills or property damage. For others, like loss of earning capacity and emotional distress, expert testimony may be needed. In addition, punitive damages, which are intended to punish and deter particularly egregious behavior, can also be sort out.
A fact that most people may not know is that Toronto, together with other major cities all over Canada, has one of the highest rates of personal injury claims filed and some of the finest personal injury attorneys in the country.
Factors you should keep in mind when determining compensation
The first thing you should take into account is the physical and mental suffering which you have sustained due to the plaintiffs actions or inactions. Apart from being treated as general damages, pain and suffering are practically the hardest to calculate and will definitely require the services of an experienced, skilled, and professional Toronto personal injury lawyer.
Other special damages that should be taken into consideration when computing a fair compensation value include therapy costs, medical costs, property damage, lost wages, and out of pocket expenses.
Pain and suffering
Current pain and suffering is defined as what you go through from the moment you received your injuries up to the time you finish your medical and therapy treatment. It has a distinct ending point and set duration that can be measured. There is also future pain and suffering that you endure from the time you sustained your injuries through to the indefinite future. Its duration is undefined. This is one of the main reasons why you will need a reliable personal injury lawyer. They will assist you in figuring just how much you need to seek as compensation. For instance, a compensation of $4000 could be viewed as being fairer as opposed to $20000.
Ascertaining pain and suffering
Even though damages for pain and suffering can be recovered, you still have to prove them. Evidence benefiting your cause can take many forms and for you to get more, you have to substantiate your claims. Some of the items that a personal injury lawyer can use include photographs and personal journals. Securing documentation from relatives and friends can also serve as additional evidence on how the injuries you sustained have affected your quality of life. In situations whereby the plaintiff files a claim for mental issues like depression or insomnia, of treatment by a mental health practitioner will be required.
Determining how much is fair compensation
A reputable personal injury lawyer can adopt a wide variety of avenues to come up with a fair compensation value. Among the methods that can be used include the multiplier and per diem method. If you happened to sustain injuries that would take a lifetime to heal, or full-time treatment, the attorney will ask for a larger amount. On the other hand, a minor bump on the head may not require a huge settlement. In both cases, an attorney will practice discretion by using their experience in dealing with such matters to arrive at a figure that is fair. If you decide to tackle down with the insurance companies on your own, you may find yourself with a low and unfair settlement agreement.
To some, personal injury law may seem like a complex matter.
Although there is some truth to this, it does not necessarily have to be the case. With the assistance of a professional and experienced personal injury lawyer, the entire process can be rather straightforward. They will let you know whether or not you have a justifiable claim. In addition, a personal injury will present your case when it comes to dealing with insurance companies to ensure that you do not receive unfair compensation.