Grand Rapids Injury Lawyer

If you've been injured due to another person's negligence, you have the right to ask for financial compensation for the losses you've suffered. But seeking a personal injury claim is no easy task. Offenders and their insurance providers are backed by armies of lawyers ready to protect their clients. Who's looking out for you? At Marko Law, we fight for personal injury victims. Where possible, we resolve cases out of court so our clients can get back to their lives. If needed, however, we assemble a litigation strategy and take the case to court. In either case, we stand by our clients from start to finish so they can concentrate on recovering.‍

What Is Personal Injury?

‍The essence of a personal injury case is negligence. When another person, company, or even a governmental agency acts irresponsibly, others can get injured. The injury is often physical, but it can also be psychological or emotional too. "Negligence" is a legal term that indicates failure to exercise an appropriate degree of care under the circumstances. Another way of putting it is failure to act as a reasonably sensible person would. Negligence can be demonstrated through a person's actions (like speeding or driving drunk) or through an exclusion (such as failing to eliminate a known hazard from one's company property). To win a personal injury case, the victim has to show that the offender was negligent. There are four particular components that are required under Michigan law:

• Duty of care. The defendant must have owed a duty of care to the plaintiff. In some cases a duty emerges out of a personal relationship between the parties, such as physician and patient. However this isn't always necessary. For example, when you drive on a freeway, you owe a duty to other drivers not to be reckless.
• Breach. Next, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant breached the duty of care. This is where the offender's negligent acts and/or omissions are highlighted. It also covers circumstances where the at-fault party breaks a law or engages in deliberate wrongdoing. Breach is generally the most disputed part of a personal injury case.
• Causation. The offender's breach needs to actually cause injury to the plaintiff. If the offender acted negligently but didn't hurt the plaintiff, this aspect fails.
• Damages. These are the losses for which the plaintiff will pursue financial compensation. A few of the most common damages are medical expenses, lost income, lost earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering. The nature and quantity of damages are hotly contested in most personal injury cases.

Potential Damages In a Personal Injury Case

‍The objective of a personal injury lawsuit is to make the plaintiff whole through financial compensation. This compensation is referred to as damages, and some examples are:

• Medical costs. This broad category can consist of everything from hospital bills and prescription medications to physical therapy and unique adaptive equipment to help with a victim's day-to-day tasks.
• Lost income. While you recuperate or are hospitalized for your injuries, you will lose time from work and, with it, possibly considerable amounts of money. You can ask a court to grant you damages to cover this lost income.
• Lost earning capacity. Your occupational prospects might be cut short or drastically limited after a personal injury. An expert witness can help estimate the future earnings you will miss out on as a result.
• Pain and suffering. These damages account for the pain and psychological trauma you will likely experience for some time to come. Although difficult to quantify, they are essential to catastrophic injury cases.
• Loss of enjoyment of everyday life. It may not be possible to enjoy your normal daily activities, hobbies, and other interests after a bad injury. These damages help compensate you for the loss.
• Loss of consortium. This category refers to the deprivation of the benefits of a family relationship. It includes the loss of assistance, community, companionship, and sexual relationship between spouses caused by the injury.
• Punitive (exemplary) damages. In rare cases, an at-fault party can be subject to punitive damages. These are intended to penalize the wrongful party and deter others from engaging in similar conduct.

Are There Time Limits to File a Personal Injury Claim?

‍Your right to sue a negligent party will not last forever. In Michigan, personal injury cases are subject to what's called a statute of limitations. This sets a deadline for plaintiffs to submit their claims before they lose the right to do so. For a personal injury, the statute of limitations is two years. In most cases, the clock begins to run when the injury occurs.However, it's ideal not to delay taking action on your claim. Witnesses' memories can fade over time, evidence will be more difficult to obtain, and you might fail to remember vital details if you wait too long. If you or a loved one have been injured, reach out to a committed Grand Rapids personal injury attorney.

‍How Can the Injury Lawyers of Marko Law Assist Me?

‍Suing a defendant usually means suing an insurance company, like an automobile insurer. Regardless, you can count on the defendant's legal representatives pushing back on your claims or making settlement offers that come nowhere close to covering your losses. You want an attorney who not only understands Michigan personal injury law, but knows how to determine a fair value for your claim.At Marko Law, we've assisted countless personal injury clients get the compensation they need to recover. We won't accept unfair offers and will stand by you from start to finish. Give us a call or complete the contact form today to get started on your claim.

‍Contact Us Today to Get a Free Consultation

‍If you are ready to start your case or need more information about an Injury Lawyer Near Me in Grand Rapids, Michigan, contact Marko Law Firm today. Let us represent you as you seek justice and compensation for your pain and damages. Call (313) 777-7LAW today to get a free consultation or visit our website: MarkoLaw.com to get more information.