Top Six Ways Personal Injuries Occur | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Accidents happen. Even a seemingly minor incident can end up leaving you with personal injuries that prevent you from working or engaging in your usual activities while requiring the need for ongoing medical care and treatment. In many situations, the ‘accident’ responsible for your injuries is actually due to the reckless and negligent actions of others, entitling you to compensation through a personal injury claim. The following highlights six of the top ways in which these types of injuries occur.

Common Causes of Personal Injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accidental and unintentional injuries send more than 30 million people to hospital emergency rooms for treatment each year in the United States. Even if your injuries are relatively minor, they can cause impairments that impact your life for months and even years afterward. The CDC lists the following as the top six causes of accidental injuries:

1. Slips and Falls

Slips and falls are one of the leading causes of death and disability, impacting nearly ten million people each year. These often occur in public places, as a result of wet or slippery floors, improperly maintained flooring materials, and due to clutter or a lack of proper lighting and handrails.

2. Being Struck by or Against Objects

As another leading cause of personal injuries, these impact more than three million people each year. These also often occur in public places and can result from improperly installed or poorly maintained ceiling or wall fixtures, overstocked shelves, flying objects at sports or recreational events, and debris in construction areas.

3. Overexertion

Responsible for more than three million personal injuries each year, these happen frequently in the workplace. In this situation, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits through the Virginia workers’ compensation benefits program. Overexertion can also occur while engaged in sports and recreational activities, and parents should be mindful that coaches or staff do not push young athletes beyond their limits.

4. Motor Vehicle Accidents

Listed by the CDC as the fourth leading cause of accidental injuries, car accidents can be devastating. To be sure, there were more than 128,000 vehicle accidents in Virginia last year. .

5. Cuts and/or Piercings

Over two million people suffer accidental piercings, which can occur as the result of contact with broken glass or sharp metal objects in public places or on the job. These types of injuries are also common due to defective products and can result in a product liability claim.

6. Unintentional Poisoning

Food poisoning and tampered with products can cause illnesses that are severe and life-threatening. In these situations, restaurant owners, grocery store managers, and manufacturers may be held liable for the damages you suffer.

We Can Help You Today

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as a result of another party’s negligent or reckless actions, contact a Virginia personal injury attorney from Shapiro,  Appleton & Washburn. It is critical to remember that Virginia has placed a statute of limitations on how long victims have to file a claim for damages against those responsible for their injuries, so do not delay. Failure to file before that legal deadline could mean you lose any chance of ever filing your claim or getting justice against the person responsible for you or your loved one’s injuries.

Contact our office today at (833) 997-1774 to set up a free and confidential case evaluation with one of our dedicated Virginia accident attorneys. You may be entitled to financial compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, emotional anguish, permanent disability, scarring, and disfigurement. Call our office to find out how we can help.

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