Personal injury laws in Maine provide a legal framework to protect individuals and their property from harm or injury caused by another party’s actions or failure to act. In other words, if you have been injured through no fault of your own due to someone else’s negligence, you have every legal right to pursue a personal injury claim to receive the compensation you deserve. This area of law encompasses many issues, from car accidents, defective products, and emotional distress to medical malpractice, slip-and-fall incidents, workman’s compensation, and assault.
If you have been harmed or hurt by the actions of others, the experienced personal injury law firm of Hardy Wolf & Downing is here to help you understand your rights. Personal injury law in Maine has its share of complexities and can be challenging without the help of legal expertise. Our experienced personal injury lawyers will guide you through the process to ensure you receive a successful outcome.
What is a Personal Injury?
Personal injuries are not only physical. They include any variety of injury to a person’s body, emotions, or reputation. There are three grounds for filing a personal injury claim, with the most common basis being negligence. You and your lawyer must prove that the party responsible for your injury failed to act with a reasonable level of care and was, thus, liable for causing the injury. Under Maine’s modified comparative fault system, if you are found partially at fault for your injury, your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault. You may not be entitled to compensation if found to be 50% or more at fault.
Another type of personal injury claim is strict product liability, which allows action against a manufacturer or store for selling a defective product that injures you or anyone who uses it, even if no harm was intended. Intentional wrongs are one more type of personal injury subject to Maine law. As the name suggests, it is a type of personal injury resulting from an intentional act to inflict harm on someone, such as through harassment, battery, or assault.
At the heart of personal injury law is the idea that individuals and businesses have a duty of care to others, meaning they must take reasonable steps to prevent harm or injury. If this duty is breached and someone is injured, the person or entity responsible may be liable for damages. The person or party who caused the injury or harm, or their insurance company, is typically required to compensate the person who suffered the losses. This compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, other economic losses, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
What to Expect at Hardy Wolf & Downing
When you contact us, know that your first meeting is free. You will meet with an attorney experienced in the ins and outs of personal injury law in Maine to discuss the particulars of your case. At that meeting, he or she will guide you through the personal injury lawsuit process, address your questions, and outline a strategy for your claim. You should bring any records relating to your injury for that first meeting. Such things include medical bills, information about any physical therapy or medical treatment you have or are receiving, pictures from the accident scene, and so forth.
After that first meeting, our legal team will initiate a detailed investigation to collect all the available information about your case. While you focus on recovering, we will go about gathering medical reports and police reports, visiting the accident scene, and talking to witnesses. We can negotiate a settlement for you once we have gathered all the facts concerning your case.
It’s important to understand that settling does not mean you must go to trial to do so. What is important is not going against the insurance company alone and their team of lawyers. In most instances, with the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer representing you, a settlement can be successfully negotiated out of court. It may mean filing a lawsuit to call the insurance company’s bluff. Though many cases require a lawsuit, few go to trial—doing so is too expensive for insurance companies. Ultimately, nothing is done without your input and consent. We will only go to trial if there is a breakdown in negotiations. Hardy Wolf & Downing will fight to ensure you are awarded full compensation if a trial becomes necessary.
Consult With a Personal Injury Attorney
If you fall victim to an accident that is not your fault, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to protect yourself. Do not sign anything from an insurance company or agree with the other party without talking to a reputable, experienced personal injury lawyer. Consulting with a personal injury attorney knowledgeable about Maine’s laws is vital in understanding your rights, determining liability, and pursuing compensation for your injuries.
For nearly 50 years, Hardy Wolf & Downing has earned a reputation for helping Mainers injured by no fault of their own receive the compensation they deserve. Please read or watch any testimonials from Mainers, whom we have worked with and guided you through the ins and outs of personal injury laws in Maine. For more information or to schedule a free consultation to help you weigh your options, contact Hardy Wolf & Downing today.