Personal Injury Claims

Were you injured in West Palm Beach, FL?

Whether or not you realize, a personal injury can be the result of almost any type of accident. Although most personal injury cases involve car accidents, you can file a personal injury claim after any accident directly caused by someone else's carelessness or negligence. By definition, a personal injury case is a legal dispute arising from an accident or injury in which one person is responsible for the other's harm. Legally, personal injury cases are divided into two categories: formal lawsuits and informal settlements.

Formal lawsuits are not like criminal cases, even though they take place in court. A formal lawsuit starts when an individual (the "plaintiff") files a civil complaint against another business, person, institution, corporation or government agency. The complaint is filed against the "defendant," and the plaintiff must prove that the defendant acted negligently or carelessly, and that their negligence directly caused the plaintiff's injury. Informal settlements are resolved outside of the courtroom.

During an informal settlement, each side may be represented by attorneys. Settlements are negotiated, and both sides eventually come to an agreement. Agreements take the place of formal, legal action. In other words, when both sides of the dispute want to keep their negotiations out of the courtroom, they pursue a compromise and agree not to take any legal action after the agreement has been settled. A multitude of injury cases can be settled through formal lawsuits and informal agreements. Those include:

Animal Attacks
If you or a family member was attacked by an animal, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and your pain and suffering. The defendant (animal owner) could be liable, and an attorney from our firm could help you file a lawsuit against that individual.

Bike Accidents
Bicycle accidents can lead to severe injuries since bicycles are virtually unprotected against vehicles. Drivers often fail to see bikes because these individuals are often only looking out for other cars.

Birth Injuries
There are many different types of birth injuries, including cerebral palsy, broken bones, Erb's palsy, wrongful death, paralysis, brain damage, nerve damage and brachial plexus injuries. Although these may not necessarily mean medical malpractice was involved, you could be entitled to compensation for the damage done to your infant.

Boating Accidents
If you have been involved in a boating accident, one of the first steps you must take is filing a report with the U.S. Coast Guard. Also, you must remember to remain at the scene of the accident or it could be held against you later.

Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury results from a direct blow to the head or a sudden stop, as in a traffic accident. Brain injuries can also be caused by a lack of oxygen or blood to the brain.

Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are one of the most painful types of injuries and require a lot of recovery time. If you suffered from burns because of the negligence or carelessness of another individual or entity, contact a member of our legal team.

Car Accidents
Car accidents are among the most common causes of injury and death. If you or a loved was injured by a negligent or reckless driver, we could help you hold the guilty individual responsible for that person's actions.

Construction Accidents
Unsafe scaffolding, falls, unstable ladders, electrocution, slips and falls and equipment failures are just some of the hazards that face construction workers. Employers have a responsibility to uphold health and safety regulations, and if they do not, they could be held liable.

Dangerous Drugs
When pharmaceutical companies put profits over the safety of consumers, they should be held responsible for the carelessness and negligence. People rely on medication to help improve their health. When the opposite occurs, the results can be devastating.

Dental Malpractice
Misdiagnosis, damage to nerves, failure to diagnose and anesthesia errors are all types of dental malpractice issues. If you have suffered because of the carelessness of your dentist, please contact our firm.

Dog Bites
Because there are some limitations as to how much a dog owner can be held liable for injuries inflicted by his or her pet, it is important that you speak to a West Palm Beach dog bite attorney from our legal team. If the owner's dog has attacked others in the past, they could be liable.

Drunk Driving Accidents
When an individual chooses to drink and drive, he or she is putting the lives of everyone else on the road at risk. If you were injured or lost a loved one in an accident caused by someone driving under the influence, contact a member of our firm.

Insurance Bad Faith
Insurance bad faith is an insurance company's failure to act in good faith. If you were injured and your insurance company actively sought ways to avoid paying you compensation, we can help stand up for your rights.

Maritime Law
As residents of Florida enjoy many maritime-related activities or work in maritime-related vocations, it is important that they are aware of your rights in these matters. The Jones Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act protect injured workers and their families.

Medical Malpractice
When the people we rely on to provide us with healthcare actually cause us harm, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. An attorney from our firm can help defend you against medical professionals who were negligent or careless.

Motor Vehicle Accidents
Every year, Florida sees over 200,000 motor accidents on its roads. If you were injured or lost a loved one in an accident that was the fault of another, you could be entitled to compensation.

Motorcycle Accidents
In 2008, Florida had the second-highest number of motorcycle deaths in the U.S. Motorcycle riders have little protection when involved in a collision with a larger vehicle.

Nursing Home Abuse
Physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, dehydration, medication errors and bedsores are all types of nursing home abuse. Nothing is more heartbreaking than learning your loved one was suffering at the hands of the people you trusted to take care of him or her.

Paralysis
Some severe accidents and medical malpractice cases can result in paralysis. Paraplegia affects the legs and usually results from severe trauma to the back. Quadriplegia affects the neck down but is sometimes only partial.

Pedestrian Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a pedestrian is injured in a traffic collision every eight minutes. Due to the serious nature of pedestrian accidents, they often result it catastrophic injuries.

Personal Injury Law
If you have been injured, it is important that you hire an attorney who understands personal injury law. There are three primary grounds for filing a personal injury claim: negligence, strict liability and intentional conduct.

Premises Liability
Slip and fall accidents, falling objects, stairway accidents and elevator accidents are just some of the types of incidents that could constitute premises liability. If you were injured on the property of another, that person or entity could be liable for your injuries.

Product Liability
Manufacturers are responsible for providing safe products for consumers. If they fail to do this, serious injury can occur.

Serious Injuries
The most serious injuries often result from car accidents, drunk driving accidents and medical malpractice. If you have suffered from a burn injury, brain injury, paralysis or spinal cord injury, contact our team as soon as possible.

Slip & Fall Accidents
A slip and fall accident is a common type of premises liability case. Although these types of accidents might not sound serious, they can result in severe injuries. They can result from environmental factors such as slippery surfaces or unmaintained staircases.

Spinal Cord Injuries
A common consequence of traffic collisions, spinal cord injuries can have severe and long-lasting effects on the lives of those who experience them. If you have suffered a back or spinal cord injury, contact our firm as soon as possible.

Truck Accidents
Some of the common causes of truck accidents include negligence, drunk driving, overloaded cargo, bad weather, bad road conditions and equipment failure. Because these vehicles are large and heavy, they can cause major damage to other people involved in the collision.

Workplace Injuries
if you have been injured at work or while performing a work-related duty, you could be entitled to compensation. Workers' compensation was created to protect workers and their families. If you have been hurt at work, contact an attorney from our firm as soon as possible.

Wrongful Death
If you have lost a loved one, no amount of compensation will ever make up for your loss. However, you owe it to yourself and your family to pursue justice and hold the guilty party responsible for their actions or failure to act.

Free Personal Injury Consultation

Finding the right personal injury attorney can make or break your case. Whether you are filing a personal injury lawsuit or negotiating an informal settlement, you need an attorney with the knowledge and experience to back up your case. If you want money for your personal injury, contact our firm—the Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo, P.A.—for a free case evaluation. We can help you understand your legal rights and what your case is worth. The sooner you talk to us, the faster we can begin developing a case strategy for your injury settlement, so do not hesitate to consult with a West Palm Beach injury lawyer today.