Personal injuries are a sadly common occurrence in Missouri. These events can not only inflict harsh physical harm, but they may also cause severe emotional trauma and devastate your ability to support your family.
A natural question to ask after these events is who is liable for a personal injury in Missouri. In some examples, the answer is fairly obvious, such as when an injury is the result of an intentional attack. However, others are more complex, like when an injury is the result of an accident. A person seeking compensation after an injury must be sure to identify all liable parties to obtain the maximum possible payment. An attorney at the Wegmann Law firm works with people like you to determine who is liable for personal injuries in Missouri.
Identifying Liable Parties who are Directly Responsible for the Actions
Most personal injuries that occur in Missouri are the result of accidents. It is unfair to say that responsible people and companies intended to cause harm. Even so, the law says that their careless, reckless, or negligent behavior means that they are civilly liable for all damage that they cause.
Most of these cases result from specific situations where one party assumes a duty to protect another. When they fail in their duty, and an injury occurs, they are liable for all resulting losses. Prominent examples of this dynamic include:
- Car, truck, or motorcycle accidents
- Slips and falls, or other injuries that occur on the property of others
- Medical or dental malpractice
- Injuries that affect nursing home residents
Other cases arise out of intentional acts of violence. Assaults, arson, sexual abuse, and the intentional infliction of emotional distress are all examples of situations where an attacker may be both criminally and civilly liable for their actions. In all cases, an attorney at Wegmann Law could help obtain the evidence needed to show that a defendant was directly responsible for the harm that they caused.
Holding Third Parties Liable for Injuries
In the above examples, the people who are responsible for an accident are liable for the damage they cause. However, if they were an employee of a company at the time of the incident, that company is also likely to share liability. The concept of law called respondeat superior states that companies are responsible for controlling the actions of their workers. For instance, if a commercial driver is involved in a traffic collision, both the driver and the company are responsible for the victim’s losses.
Finally, insurance companies may be joint defendants in many accident cases. All drivers in Missouri must have collision insurance. Property owners must retain liability policies. Even medical providers must have malpractice insurance. The insurance companies indemnify their insureds against a portion of their liability following an accident. As a result, these insurance companies are a main source of compensation following Missouri personal injury cases.
Contact Wegmann Law Now to Seek Out Fair Compensation from all Liable Parties after your Missouri Personal Injury
Talking with the team at Wegmann Law allows them to better understand the situation and begin the process of holding all liable parties responsible after an accidental or intentional injury in Missouri. It is crucial to begin this process quickly. Missouri Revised Statute § 516.120 creates a time limit of only five years from the date of many injuries for people to demand compensation. This time limit may shorten for some types of cases. Speaking with the team at Wegmann Law today lets them provide immediate assistance in pursuing your case for all appropriate compensation.
