Harm And Damages: What To Know

The law sets guidelines for the punishment of people who've committed crimes, but private citizens can also exact justice upon wrong-doers. Seeking personal injury compensation requires that you be harmed and that you have damages. Read on to learn more about these categories of civil law that might enable you to receive financial compensation for the many ways that you can be injured by another.

Were you defamed?

While this may not be the first thing people think of when they consider a personal injury, defamation of character is actually considered a personal injury. This form of personal injury is proof that it's not necessary to have physical contact with someone to cause harm to them. Defamation is broken up into two different offenses, libel and slander. The word libel is used when someone has printed something that ends up harming another person and slander is the same thing spoken aloud. In both cases there must exist three elements:

1. Something was said or written

2. That something was untrue

3. That something caused harm to the victim

Words can cause real harm to people when it comes to relationships, jobs, reputations, and more.

Were you physically harmed?

If another person's actions led directly to you getting hurt then you may have a course of action against them. One of the most common actions in this regard is car wrecks, but that is only the beginning. You can be hurt due to unsafe food products, bad design, unsafe business practices, loose dogs, and more. Proving bodily harm can bring not only payment of medical expenses, but compensation for pain and suffering as well.

Were you caused mental distress?

Not to be confused with pain and suffering, this personal injury situation results when someone's actions caused you to suffer from emotional distress. One example might be when a previous sexual partner posts intimate photos or videos of you online without your permission, causing you embarrassment and harming your reputation.

Was your property lost or damaged?

This particular form of personal injury must be connected to a physical injury and it's commonly seen in car accidents. Your wrecked vehicle is considered personal property in addition to anything that was in the wrecked car that was lost due to the wreck. You might have damaged your clothing when you slipped on spilled items in a grocery store. As long as you had physical damages in addition to the loss of property you can ask to be reimbursed for it.

No matter what type of harm has occurred to you, speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.