Lawyers arguing personal injury cases to juries often talk about costs. Costs frequently include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Some costs, such as medical bills, are easy to calculate. Other costs, such as future medical bills and pain and suffering, are more difficult to quantify. The idea behind personal injury claims is to make the person suffering loss as close to “whole” as possible. In other words, attorneys want to make it as if the accident never took place.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS LEAD TO SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Many people hesitate to file a lawsuit. Particularly in Alaska, where we pride ourselves on hard work and personal responsibility, people sometimes express reluctance to sue another person. It is important however to consider the need for social accountability. Personal injury claims can make it so other families do not suffer from the same negligence.
If a person has injuries due to sloppy work practices, such as improperly installed scaffolding collapsing on a passerby, a personal injury lawsuit may force the construction company to examine its employees’ work habits closer. If a person dies in a hospital due to improper sterilization of hospital instruments, a personal injury claim may force the hospital to investigate practices to ensure equipment is properly sterilized. These changes may prevent others from suffering in the future.
Personal injury lawsuits cost companies a lot of money. Lawsuits motivate companies to change when their behavior results in injuries or death. This can lead to changes in personnel, changes in training, or changes in work practices. Sometimes, personal injury suits lead to changes in an entire industry. A lawsuit can also result in a removing unsafe products from the market.
IF YOU SUFFER INJURIES
If you suffer injuries, and feel your injuries are the result of dangerous practices or harmful conduct, a personal injury attorney in Alaska can help you hold the company or person responsible. Contact Merdes Law Office, P.C., for a free consultation to discuss your case. There is no obligation, and no attorney fees unless we win your case. The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 25 years. It’s who we are; and while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do.
