If you have suffered a personal injury at the hands of a negligent business, having an individual on your side to fight for your rights is imperative. Businesses, especially large corporations, may have additional resources to retaliate against individuals who have filed a personal injury claim, silencing their story and preventing them from getting the compensation they deserve. Here, qualified personal injury attorney Douglas C. Lauenstein discusses what to do when you have suffered an injury in a place of business, and how to proceed with legal action to ensure you are properly compensated.

Personal Injury Results in Physical, Emotional or Financial Harm

While personal injury cases may primarily bring up the idea of physical hardship after an injury, these cases also deal with emotional and financial hardships that occurred as a result. In Maryland, personal injury lawsuits generally brought about as a result of physical injury, current and future medical expenses, loss of income or earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent injury, punitive damages and loss of consortium, or loss of love and affection. When filing a personal injury claim, it is important to consider how the business’ negligence affected all areas of your life, and potentially detrimental effects it could have in the future. For example, if you worked in construction, plumbing or other jobs that require ample physical activity, and the business had a faulty railing that caused you to fall and severely injure yourself, not only will those injuries result in substantial medical bills, but you would likely be out of work for a long period of time, and potentially indefinitely if the injuries left permanent damage. These injuries would result in both physical and financial harm for you, making it your best decision to seek compensation and fight for your rights. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation from your employer and in addition a third-party claim against someone other than your employer who negligently caused your injury.

Businesses Have a Responsibility to Uphold Safety Standards 

As a business owner, it is their duty to uphold safety standards and continuously check to ensure that their business is safe for all customers to enter. When businesses fail to maintain these standards, they pose substantial risks to employees and customers, leading to potential injury and legal recourse. Businesses have a duty of care for their customers, meaning that when issues arise, it is their responsibility to make sure that they are fixed in an efficient manner. If they have breached their duty of care, causing unnecessary injury to you, you deserve to be compensated. However, many businesses and large corporations have additional legal resources to help them through claim cases, making it intimidating for many who have suffered at the hands of their negligence to be heard. That is why seeking a team of legal professionals, such as personal injury attorney Douglas C. Lauenstein, can ease stress and instill confidence that you are being adequately protected. 

Be Sure to Research the Personal Injury Claim Process

When it comes to filing a personal injury claim, the process varies from state to state. While some general rules are adhered to nationally, it is important to research the process for Maryland and communicate with your attorney to ensure that you have all of the documentation and information needed to properly pursue your claim. When you have been injured at a place of business, be sure to seek medical help immediately. Having accurate statements from medical professionals and dated medical records to present to the court can help streamline the process and legitimize your case. After a lawyer examines your medical records, both parties move to a mediation process in which they try to arrive at an agreement. If this does not work out, then both parties will eventually go to trial, leaving the ultimate decision up to the judge, which may take additional time.

Find a Personal Injury Advocate With Lauenstein Law Firm 

When involved in a personal injury case, emotions are likely to be running high. Knowing how to proceed when you have been severely injured by a place of business can feel overwhelming, and having a qualified team to help you navigate the complexities of personal injury law can be extremely helpful. To learn more about how personal injury attorney Douglas C. Lauenstein can help you, contact our Baltimore office today.