What is considered personal injury?

Personal injury covers any wrong or damage done to another in his person, property, rights, or reputation. Injuries can happen at work, in a traffic accident, because of a faulty product or a faulty repair, because of a mistake during medical treatment, or because you slipped and fell on pavement or on a wet floor.

The injury can be physical or psychological, but, to have a case, it must occur due to the negligence or unreasonably unsafe actions of your employer, a manufacturer, your doctor, your landlord, or some other person or organization who owes you a duty of ordinary care. Examples of personal injury law causes of action include professional malpractice, wrongful birth, wrongful death, libel or slander, trespass, and nuisance.

Ten things you need to do if you're injured:

Each year, Car accidents are the most common cause of personal injuries, but injuries come up in other areas, too, like slip-and-fall cases, medical malpractice, and defective or unsafe products ("products liability" in legalese), just to name a few. Regardless of the injury or its cause, here some important things to keep in mind.

Seek medical attention immediately

Make a police report

Gather the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all witnesses (and the other driver if it's a car accident)

Watch what you say and to whom at the scene

Stick to the facts when talking to police

Don't say things like "I'm OK," "It wasn't your fault," or "I'm sorry"

Keep records of all doctors you visit and when, all treatments and diagnoses, and your costs and expenses

Be careful when talking to insurance companies

Don't sign any documents from anyone unless you understand them completely

Avoid settling your case on your own with whomever caused the accident or their insurance company

Remember, you only have a certain amount of time to file a lawsuit

patient! Personal injury cases usually take time to resolve

Contact a lawyer in your area with experience in your particular type of case

No one wants to get hurt, but accidents happen. Knowing what to do and what not do after you're injured can go a long way toward helping you get the compensation you need and deserve.