SPECIAL SECTION:
FA M I LY
LAW
PERSONAL INJURY LAW
Personal injury or tort lawsuits refer to injuries to the body, mind, or
emotional well-being of an individual. Typically, in a personal injury
suit, an individual (defendant) who has caused harm compensates
the individual (plaintiff) who suffered the harm. Damages awarded
to the plaintiff are often negotiated and agreed upon by both parties
or ordered by a judge. It is important to act quickly when you’ve been
injured to protect your rights, as there are time limits, called statute
of limitations, that vary by state that confine your opportunity to take
action.
What is the most common personal injury case?
Answer: Automobile accidents. The car insurance company will
typically determine if the car is totaled or if payment is in order to
cover repairs. Once it is determined who is at fault, reimbursement
for damages will come from the policy holder or the insurer. If you
find yourself in a hit-and-run accident, compensation for damages will
come from your own insurance company.
What are the different types of personal injury claims?
Answer: Negligence, strict liability, and intentional torts.
Negligence involves harm caused by carelessness. It is accidental and
often found in cases such as auto accidents and medical malpractice.
Strict liability cases hold manufacturers and designers liable for injuries
from defective products. These claims require the plaintiff to show that
a product was manufactured in a way that was dangerous when used
as intended. An intentional tort requires the plaintiff to prove that the
defendant acted with knowledge that his/her actions could lead to
harm.
Is a personal injury case criminal or civil?
Answer: Civil dispute. In civil lawsuits, the losing defendant is
required to monetarily reimburse the plaintiff for losses caused by the
defendant’s behavior. Civil cases will never cause the losing party to be
punished by incarceration.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in
Pennsylvania?
Answer: For civil statutes, the state of Pennsylvania limitations
range from one to 20 years, with a two-year limit for personal injury
claims. Each state carries a timeframe to ensure convictions occur with
evidence-based facts that are timely. This prevents fraudulent and stale
claims being made after evidence has been lost or forgotten.
MARRIAGE, CIVIL UNIONS AND
DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS
Family law in Pennsylvania includes marriage, divorce, child custody,
adoption, and other matters related to the family structure.
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