PERSONAL INJURIES include physical injuries and death and also psychological injuries. Even a small physical trauma can lead to chronic emotional problems. Some injuries heal, some linger but for others, like brain injuries and amputations, there may never be a full recovery.
Damages for a personal injury generally fall within two categories. General Damages include pain and suffering, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life and changes to lifestyle. Special damages are characterized by their out of pocket nature and include expenses for any medical treatment (including mileage and parking) and loss of income. If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, your own insurance (no-fault benefits) may cover significant portions of your out of pocket losses.
To recover damages for a personal injury, you will have to show that the other party is at fault. Common grounds for liability include negligent driving, poorly designed and unsafe products, contaminated foodstuffs, poorly maintained and unsafe premises (slip and fall).