Northumberland County Personal Injury Lawyer

Under tort law, a “personal injury” is a wrongful act committed against another, causing them to suffer physical bodily injury or harm to their mental or emotional well-being. After such an incident, the injured party may seek compensation from the wrongdoer for losses stemming from their injury by filing a civil lawsuit. In most personal injury cases, the claimant must first establish the wrongdoer’s liability for the accident by proving that they behaved negligently, meaning that they failed to use reasonable care.

If you or your loved one were severely injured in an accident that occurred due to another’s negligence, discuss your options for civil action with a dedicated legal advocate. A Northumberland County personal injury lawyer could help you seek monetary damages for all your injury-related losses.

Limitations on Civil Injury Claims in Northumberland County

While there are numerous restrictions and limitations placed on personal injury claims under Virginia state law, one of the most important to be aware of is the statute of limitations. This is the time allotted by law for a person to bring legal action before they lose the right to do so.

For most personal injury claims, a party has two years from when they sustained their injury to file suit, as provided under § 8.01-243(A) of the Virginia Code. However, there are specific exceptions to this filing deadline, such as for medical malpractice and child injury cases. A well-informed local attorney could advise on the timeline for a particular personal injury claim.

Pure Contributory Negligence for Personal Injury

Another limitation on personal injury claims in Northumberland County is Virginia’s pure contributory negligence law. This law states that if party contributes to their injuries at all, they are completely barred from recovery, even if they are only one percent at fault.

For personal injury claims, this means that if the defendant can prove the injured party contributed to the accident in any way, they will not receive any compensatory damages. As such, it is crucial for injured victims to work with dedicated legal counsel in pursuing sufficient compensation for their losses.

Types of Personal Injury Claims

There are several types of civil claims that fall under the category of personal injury. Some examples of common personal injury claims in Northumberland County include the following:

• Products liability
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Premises liability
• Slip and falls
• Medical malpractice

Additionally, each of these types of claims may be subject to certain limitations and restrictions under Virginia’s laws. Those seeking to pursue a claim for damages in Northumberland County should consult a personal injury lawyer beforehand to ensure the specific particular statutory and procedural requirements are met.

Get in Contact with a Northumberland County Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal injury claims cover a wide range of accidents and injuries, and each case has its own legal particularities. Additionally, many of the largest damage awards in civil law fall under the category of personal injury.

If you or someone you love recently sustained injuries due to another person’s negligent act or conduct, you could be owed substantial compensation for your injuries. For help with pursuing your claim, call to schedule a consultation with a Northumberland County personal injury lawyer today.