Personal injury law encompasses different types of injuries. To the victim, it may seem as if only one person is to blame, but that is not always the case. It is possible for several responsible parties to exist for every incident. People who are injured due to the mistakes of others deserve compensation, but it is important to make certain that any lawsuit targets the person or entity legally responsible.
Vehicle Accident Liability
The driver of another vehicle is not always the guilty party or the only one responsible in an accident case. A road crew that did not maintain the roadway properly may have put both drivers at risk. Lawsuits could go against a vehicle or part manufacturer or a repair facility if an investigation reveals a vehicle failure or a shoddy automotive part caused the event.
The driver may not be the vehicle owner. The owner could face responsibility for the damages if they allowed an unlicensed or irresponsible driver to use their vehicle. A bar or restaurant owner could also become a defendant if their establishment allowed someone to become impaired and then drive away.
Responsibility After Falls
Injuries after a fall can be the responsibility of a business owner, the property owner or a maintenance crew. The liability depends on what caused the fall and who should have prevented the problem. Business owners need to keep floors and parking lots clear from obstructions. However, an exception could occur if the owner contacts someone to plow and sand a parking lot, for example, and the company does not do an adequate job.
Maintenance issues not addressed by the property owner that result in an injury could become the fault of the business owner and the person or entity that owns the property. The property owner may be responsible for repairs, but the business owner must still do all they can to protect the safety of their employees and customers.
A medication issue could include the prescribing physician, a pharmacist or the pharmaceutical company. Equipment issues that lead to a malpractice injury may involve the manufacturer or distributor of the equipment or the facility that supplied the equipment.
Injuries at Work
Employers are responsible for keeping employees safe from faulty equipment and other workplace hazards. The employer has a responsibility even when an injury occurs because of the behavior of a co-worker. Possible exceptions include machinery problems or other products with flaws that led to an injury. The manufacturer of the faulty tool or equipment becomes liable when they supply inadequate products.
Dog Bite Scenarios
Blame for a dog bite may include the pet owner or the owner of the property where the bite took place. The property owner generally would need to have allowed the dog to be on the property and known of their potential for aggression before they share responsibility.
Accident Victims Need Legal Representation
Fault depends on the actions of everyone involved and the details differ in every accident. The injured person may not know where to start. The potential confusion is why all accident victims need legal representation. Thorough investigations like the ones performed by the Hadley Law Firm find the cause of each accident and determine who had the legal responsibility to prevent the occurrence. Schedule a consultation with a lawyer at Hadley Law Firm today to discuss a personal injury case.