Selecting a personal injury lawyer to represent you is extremely important. Just because a law firm is the biggest doesn’t mean that it’s the best. You might get to meet with an actual attorney at a big firm, but most likely you will get passed off to lawyers or support staff who don’t really have the experience to handle your case effectively.
On the other hand, smaller or mid-sized law firms often offer distinct advantages. They tend to provide a more personalized approach, allowing you to work closely with an experienced attorney who will handle your case from start to finish. These firms often prioritize individualized attention, ensuring that you receive the highest level of expertise and support throughout the legal process.
Moreover, attorneys at smaller firms often have a greater opportunity to focus specifically on personal injury law. They may have extensive experience in handling a wide range of personal injury cases and can offer specialized knowledge in this specific area. This expertise can prove invaluable when it comes to navigating the complexities of personal injury law, negotiating with insurance companies, and advocating for your rights and compensation.
At The Law Firm of Carlton F. Bennett, P.L.L.C., attorney Carlton Bennett and attorney Emily Strak have more than 50 years of experience seeking justice for injured Virginians and holding insurance companies accountable on their behalf.
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While a few exceptions exist for injuries that occur under unique circumstances, most successful personal injury lawsuits in Virginia and throughout the United States are based on the legal theory of negligence. Four key components of negligence must be present in the circumstances leading up to an injury for a lawsuit based on that injury to proceed: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
In this context, a duty—often called duty of care—is an implicit or explicit obligation to act a certain way under particular circumstances to reduce the risk of anyone else getting hurt, such as the duty motor vehicle drivers have to obey traffic laws while driving. A breach is any reckless, careless, or illegal action that runs contrary to the duty a person has in a specific situation, for instance, committing a traffic violation.
Causation refers to a direct causal link between the breach of duty and an accident resulting in at least one injury requiring professional medical care. Finally, damages are simply losses stemming directly from that injury, which can be remedied to some extent by direct financial reimbursement.
In some situations, people or companies can be held strictly liable for injuries occurring under certain circumstances, regardless of whether they did anything reckless or careless to cause those injuries. Guidance from a Virginia Beach personal injury attorney can still be essential to achieving success with cases of this nature since plenty of legal and procedural pitfalls can interfere with the recovery process.
A comprehensive lawsuit or settlement demand against someone found legally liable for a personal injury can incorporate both economic and non-economic damages stemming from that injury. In other words, it is possible to recover both for losses with objective financial value, which can be proven through quantitative evidence like bills and receipts, and for losses that must be valued subjectively based on each injured person’s qualitative experiences.
Specific damages that often play a role in personal injury claims include:
Virginia is one of the few states still taking a pure contributory negligence approach to personal injury claims. This means that any injured person found to hold any fault whatsoever for causing or worsening their injury through their negligence is prohibited from receiving civil compensation for that injury, even if someone else was mostly to blame for causing it. Code of Virginia § 8.01-243 generally limits injured people to two years after initially sustaining an injury to file suit over that injury, or else they will be time-barred from ever seeking compensation for that specific injury. These are just two of the many roadblocks to recovery that a Virginia Beach personal injury attorney could help neutralize.
At our law firm, we understand the challenges and hardships that come with personal injuries. We are committed to providing you with the personal attention and service you deserve throughout the legal process, regardless of the nature or severity of your injury. Our primary focus is to assist you in obtaining the compensation you need to recover and move forward. Whether it’s a car accident, catastrophic injury, or harm caused by negligence, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact us for a free consultation and expect a warm reception. We’ll listen to your story, develop a tailored case strategy, and tirelessly advocate for your rights.
You can trust us to keep you informed, address your concerns, and work diligently on your behalf. We strive to establish a genuine connection, ensuring you feel supported and empowered. By entrusting a skilled lawyer your personal injury case, we’ll fight for your rights and the best possible outcome for you and your family in Virginia Beach. Take the first step towards justice and compensation. Contact us today and experience our expertise, commitment, and compassionate approach firsthand.
A Virginia Beach personal injury lawyer’s support could be vital to identifying, valuing, and maximizing recovery for all losses caused by a particular personal injury claim. Let us advocate for you so you can focus on healing. Contact our firm today for a consultation meeting.