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Visit Legal Professionals Site Find a Lawyer Learn About the Law State Laws Blogs Popular Directory Searches More Options Legal Issues Name Search Browse Lawyers Browse Law Firms Help Popular Directory Searches Cancel More Options Legal Issues Name Search Browse Lawyers Browse Law Firms Help FindLaw Learn About The Law Accidents and Injuries Accidents and Injuries People's tendency to get into accidents and suffer injuries is as old as civilization itself, as is the fact that sometimes the actions (or inactions) of others are to blame. While no one can go back and undo an injury, personal injury law provides a way for the injured to be "made whole" again. Relief for injuries usually comes in the form of monetary compensation, or "damages," but remedies may also include things other than money (such as a judge's order to take a particular action). Lawsuits for injuries often are settled out of court, before the court reaches a verdict. FindLaw's Accidents and Injuries section covers the broad legal practice area of injury law, which focuses on determining one or more party's liability for the injuries of another. Injury (or "personal injury") law addresses everything from car accidents and injuries caused by slippery shop floors, to dangerous consumer products and intentional acts. What is an Injury? An "injury" can be a lot of things, but is broadly defined as a violation of another's legally protected interest. This includes one's mental or physical well-being, their property, and even their reputation. Violation of any of these interests may entitle the injured party to seek relief in court. Here are some examples: A woman with an injured right foot goes into surgery to have it removed. The surgeon mistakenly amputates her left foot instead. The patient may sue the surgeon, the hospital, and any other responsible parties in a medical malpractice or negligence suit. One man strikes another man with a baseball bat after a verbal disagreement. The first man may be sued for assault and/or battery in civil court, in addition to facing potential criminal penalties.. A woman in a small town writes an op-ed in the local newspaper that knowingly and falsely accuses her neighbor of being a drug dealer, which damages his reputation. He may sue her for defamation, since the publication of the false information injured his reputation. What are Damages? The term damages refers to an award, usually a monetary one, for injuries. "Compensatory damages" are meant to compensate the plaintiff for his or her injuries, while "punitive damages" are reserved for especially egregious violations where the defendant may have acted with malice. Some states have limits on the amount of damages a plaintiff may collect, particularly with respect to medical malpractice claims. What Can an Injury Attorney Do For Me? If you have a legitimate claim for injury, a personal injury lawyer will be able to thoroughly prepare for your case and fight for your claim. Your attorney will know how to deal with insurance companies, analyze the evidence, bring in relevant witnesses and experts, negotiate a settlement, and generally apply the law to your benefit. Accident & Injury Law First Steps Who Is Liable? Legal Basics More... Car Accidents Liability Motorcycle Accidents Truck Accidents More... Medical Malpractice Liability Basics Birth Injury Legal Help More... Product Liability Product Liability Law Dangerous Drugs Medical Devices More... Workers' Compensation Basics Construction Site Injuries Railroad Injuries More... Torts and Personal Injuries Slip and Fall Assault and Battery Dog Bites More... Popular Content Defamation Law: The Basics Workers' Comp Benefits Explained Insurance Claims After an Accident: The Basics Proving Fault: What is Negligence? BB Guns Most Recent What Are Intentional Torts? What Is Invasion of Privacy? Food Poisoning: A Legal FAQ FELA Claims: What to Do If You are Injured Conditions Leading to Outdoor Slip and Fall Accidents Recent Blogs Posts Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: Powered by FeedBurner Next Steps Contact a qualified personal injury attorney to make sure your rights are protected. Help Me Find a Do-It-Yourself Solution Workers' Compensation Forms Car Accident Injury Complaint Medical Malpractice Complaint Slip and Fall Complaint Popular Directory Searches Personal Injury Lawyers Car Accident Attorneys Workers' Comp Lawyers Medical Malpractice Attorneys Back to Top About Us Contact Us Privacy Terms Disclaimer Cookies Find a Lawyer By Location By Legal Issue By Lawyer Profiles By Name Legal Consumer Resources Super Lawyers Abogado LawInfo Attorney Resources Follow us: Facebook YouTube Twitter Pinterest Copyright © 2020, Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved....