Protecting Your Legal Rights After a Personal Injury

When you or a family member suffers a personal injury, the impact can be devastating. Not only are there physical and emotional challenges to deal with, but there are also financial burdens that can arise due to lost wages and medical bills. That’s why it’s crucial to have a legal team on your side to protect your rights and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

The Gary, Indiana personal injury attorneys at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell have helped hundreds of clients over the past several decades to successfully get financial compensations for the injuries that have impacted their life. Here’s the process we’ll follow to prove responsibilities and help you fill your personal injury claim:

Building a Strong Case

Our team of lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation of your accident to gather evidence and build a strong case to fill your claim. 

This process may involve:

  • Obtaining the police or accident report.
  • Gathering medical records related to your injuries.
  • Securing photos and videos of the accident scene.
  • Visiting the scene of the accident for additional evidence.
  • Interviewing witnesses and documenting their testimonies.
  • Collecting wage statements from your employer.
  • Work with experts who can provide statements to support your case and establish negligence when needed.

Establishing Negligence

To successfully claim and recover compensation for your injury, we must prove that the other party was negligent. Our team is skilled at building a case that establishes negligence, and we will fight to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. 

To achieve this, we must establish four key facts:

  • The defendant owed you a duty of care to keep you from harm.
  • The defendant breached this duty of care.
  • The defendant caused your injury by violating their duty.
  • You suffered physical, mental, and/or emotional damages.

Maximizing Compensation

We’ll ensure that you receive the maximum compensation possible for your injuries. This may include damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. 

Common personal injury cases we manage in Gary include:

  • Car accidents: Whether it’s a minor fender bender or a major collision, we help clients navigate the legal process and pursue compensation for their injuries.
  • Truck accidents: Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries. That’s why we have fought and won $30 million dollar cases multiple times for our clients for these types of cases.
  • Medical malpractice: We have experience handling cases involving medical errors, misdiagnoses, and other forms of medical negligence.
  • Product liability: If you’ve been injured due to a defective product, we can help you pursue compensation from the manufacturer, distributor, or seller.
  • Dog Bites: If you’ve been attacked by a dog or animal, the owner can be liable for the medical bills and pain and suffering from the incident.
  • Swimming pool accidents: Our team can assist you if you’ve been injured in a swimming pool due to inadequate maintenance or supervision.
  • Electrical accidents: We have experience handling cases involving electrical burns and other injuries caused by electrical hazards.
  • Farm accidents: We can help clients pursue compensation for injuries sustained in farming accidents, such as tractor rollovers or grain bin entrapment.
  • Bicycle accidents: Our team can assist you if you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident due to a negligent driver or poorly maintained roadways.
  • Slip and fall accidents: If you’ve been injured due to a slip, trip, or fall on someone else’s property, we can help you hold the responsible party accountable.

No matter the type of accident you’ve been involved in, our team is committed to fighting for your rights and helping you claim the compensation you are entitled to according to local laws.

Common Causes of Personal Injuries

In our extensive experience handling personal injury cases in Gary, we have seen many types of accidents resulting from various forms of negligence. Here are some typical scenarios:

  • Negligent property owners: Accidents caused by unsafe conditions on someone’s property, such as slip and fall incidents, can lead to serious injuries.
  • Reckless drivers: Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents often result from drivers failing to follow traffic laws or driving irresponsibly.
  • Medical negligence: Errors by healthcare professionals, including misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, and medication errors, can cause significant harm.
  • Defective products: Injuries caused by faulty or dangerous products can hold manufacturers or distributors liable.
  • Animal attacks: Dog bites and other animal-related injuries can result from an owner’s failure to control their pet.
  • Workplace accidents: Injuries sustained on the job due to unsafe working conditions or inadequate training.

Our team works tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of your injury is fully considered, and we strive to secure the maximum compensation you deserve. We invite you to explore our case results and discuss your potential claim with our experienced personal injury lawyers in a free initial consultation. Our goal is to find out who was responsible for the accident and advise you on the best options to follow.

Do I Have Legal Rights to Personal Injury Compensation?

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have the legal right to seek compensation for your damages. In Indiana, personal injury law allows victims to pursue various types of compensation to cover the losses and impacts resulting from an accident:

  • Medical expenses: Covers all current and future medical costs related to your injury, including hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
  • Lost wages: Reimbursement for income lost due to the inability to work while recovering from your injuries.
  • Loss of earning capacity: Compensation for any long-term or permanent reduction in your ability to earn a living.
  • Pain and suffering: Damages for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury.
  • Property damage: Compensation for repair or replacement of damaged property.
  • Loss of consortium: Compensation for the negative impact on your relationship with your spouse or family due to the injury.

Understanding your rights and the types of compensation you can claim is crucial for your recovery. At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, we are here to support you every step of the way and evaluate the validity of your claim.

What If the Accident Was Partially Your Fault?

Indiana follows a comparative fault rule, as outlined in Indiana Code § 34-51-2. This means that if you are partially responsible for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you are found to be 20% at fault for the accident, your total compensation will be reduced by 20%. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering any compensation.

If you have concerns about your level of responsibility in an accident, it’s crucial to consult with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell. We will help you navigate these complexities and fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Recoverable Damages You Can Claim

You may be entitled to recover damages for the losses you have experienced and it’s important to know your rights and don’t settle for less. These damages may include both economic and non-economic losses. 

In Indiana, you can recover the following damages in a personal injury case:

Economic damages

  • Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, and doctor visits.
  • Lost wages, including time away from work due to injury or medical appointments.
  • Future lost earning capacity if your injury prevents you from working in the future.
  • Property damage, including the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged property.

Non-economic damages

  • Pain and suffering, including physical and emotional pain, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.
  • Scarring and disfigurement, including any permanent physical changes resulting from your injury.
  • Loss of consortium, including the loss of companionship, affection, and other emotional damages suffered by your loved ones.

It’s essential to note that Indiana has a statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims according to the Statute of Limitations for personal injury (Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4). You have two years from the date of the injury to file your claim to demand compensation. Failing to file within this time limit can result in the dismissal of your case, and you may lose your right to claim.

In addition to the statute of limitations, Indiana law also follows the “comparative fault” rule, which means that the amount of compensation you receive may be reduced if you are found partially responsible for your injury. For instance, if you were in a car accident and were deemed 20% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 20%.

At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, our team of local Gary personal injury attorneys can help you navigate Indiana’s complex laws and fight for the compensation you deserve. We work to build a strong case and maximize your compensation at much as possible. 

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you recover from your personal injury.