Personal Injury Lawyers
Representation in Michigan and Texas
What is Personal Injury?
If you’ve been injured due to negligence, the impact can be life changing. Serious injuries often result in disabilities, chronic pain, overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and long-term hardships. At the Oliver Bell Group, our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to guiding you through the legal process and securing the compensation you deserve. With offices in both Troy, Michigan, and Dallas, Texas, we are well-positioned to serve clients in both states. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or loss of life due to negligence, we are committed to fighting for your family’s rights.
Contact us online or call today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Act Quickly to File Your Claim
Under Michigan Compiled Laws section 600.5805, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years. The statute of limitations for Texas is even shorter, mandating claims are filed within two years. Failing to file your claim within this period may prevent you from receiving compensation. If you have questions about this timeline, contact our team today.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
At the Oliver Bell Group, our personal injury lawyers handle a broad range of cases, including but not limited to:
Auto accidents can result in serious injuries, property damage, and even fatalities. Whether caused by negligent driving, distracted driving, or impaired drivers, these incidents often require legal intervention to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Pedestrian accidents are particularly dangerous because of the severe injuries that often result from a vehicle hitting someone on foot. Victims of pedestrian accidents can pursue legal action against the driver at fault to recover compensation for their injuries.
Product liability cases involve defective products that cause harm to consumers. These include unsafe drugs, malfunctioning medical devices, or household products that do not meet safety standards. Our firm fights against corporations that fail to ensure product safety.
Click to view a detailed list of ongoing product liability cases.
Sexual abuse cases involve the exploitation or violation of individuals, often by people in positions of authority or trust. Survivors of sexual abuse may face long-term emotional, psychological, and physical trauma. At Oliver Bell Group, we stand with survivors and are committed to holding perpetrators accountable, whether the abuse occurred in institutional settings, such as clergy abuse, or in medical environments, such as gynecology abuse. We are here to help victims seek justice and regain control of their lives.
Slip and fall accidents are a type of premises liability case where an unsafe condition on someone’s property leads to injury. These can include wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting. Michigan’s updated laws allow for greater opportunity to hold negligent property owners accountable.
Don’t see your situation listed? Contact us today to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer who can guide you through your options.
Types of Damages in Personal Injury Cases
When you file a personal injury lawsuit, the goal is to recover compensation, also known as damages, for the losses you have suffered due to another party’s negligence or wrongful actions.There are several types of damages that can be awarded in personal injury cases, and they aregenerally categorized into three main types: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. Here’s a breakdown of each: punitive damages. Here’s a breakdown of each:
1. Economic Damages
Economic damages are the tangible, financial losses you incur as a result of your injury. These damages are designed to reimburse you for out-of-pocket expenses and measurable financial harm. They are often straightforward and easily quantifiable.
Examples of Economic Damages:
- Medical Expenses: Includes the cost of hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care required due to your injury.
- Lost Wages: If your injury prevents you from working, you may be compensated for the income you lost during your recovery period. If your ability to work is permanently affected, this can also include loss of earning capacity.
- Property Damage: If the injury was caused by a car accident or another situation where personal property was damaged, the cost of repairs or replacement is included in economic damages.
- Other Out-of-Pocket Costs: This can include things like transportation to medical appointments, in-home care, and modifications to your home if you are left with a disability
2. Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more subjective and compensate for the intangible losses associated with your injury. These damages can be more difficult to calculate because they relate to the emotional and psychological impact of your injury.
Examples of Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and Suffering: This refers to the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injury. The severity of the injury and the long-term impact on your quality of life are often considered when determining pain and suffering damages.
- Emotional Distress: Also known as mental anguish, this covers the psychological effects of the injury, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or fear.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injury prevents you from enjoying activities you once participated in or diminishes your overall quality of life, you may be entitled to compensation.
- Loss of Consortium: This applies to the impact the injury has on your relationship with your spouse or family, such as the loss of companionship, affection, or sexual relationship.
3.Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not awarded in every personal injury case. Unlike economic and noneconomic damages, which are meant to compensate the injured party, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for particularly reckless or egregious behavior. They also serve as a deterrent to prevent others from engaging in similar misconduct.
Examples of Situations Where Punitive Damages May Be Awarded:
- Drunk driving accidents where the driver knowingly endangered others.
- Product liability cases where a company knowingly sold a dangerous or defective product.
How Damages are Calculated
The total amount of damages you can recover depends on several factors, including:
- The severity of your injury.
- The length of your recovery time.
- The impact of your injury on your ability to work and enjoy life.
- The level of negligence or recklessness demonstrated by the at-fault party
Depending on the state, non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases may be capped at a certain amount, depending on the severity of the injury. Your personal injury lawyer at Oliver Bell Group will help you understand what compensation you may be entitled to and fight to ensure you receive the full amount you deserve.
Why Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
Navigating the legal system can be complex, and insurance companies often prioritize their own profits over your well-being. An experienced personal injury attorney at Oliver Bell Group will advocate for your rights, ensuring you receive fair compensation for medical bills, lost income, and future expenses. We will handle every aspect of your claim, from evidence gathering to negotiations, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Call us today for a free consultation to begin your personal injury claim,
negotiations, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Personal Injury Settlements
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, effective legal representation is crucial. At the Oliver Bell Group, we are committed to helping you through this difficult time and securing a settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Your Insurance Affect Your Claim?
In some cases, health insurance providers may place a lien on your settlement to recover payments they made for your medical care. Our personal injury attorneys work to reduce these liens, ensuring you keep as much of your settlement as possible.
What are the limitations on personal injury claims?
Limitations on personal injury claims vary depending on the type of case and the state where the injury occurred. Please contact our personal injury attorneys to learn more.
How do I navigate a personal injury claim?
Navigating a personal injury claim involves several steps:
- Seek medical attention: Get treated for your injuries and document them.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer: An attorney can guide you through the legal process, including gathering evidence, filing the claim, negotiating with insurance companies, and representing you in court if necessary.
- Build your case: Work with your attorney to gather medical records, witness statements, and other evidence to support your claim.
- Negotiate a settlement or pursue a lawsuit: Most cases settle before trial, but some may require litigation to get fair compensation.
Michigan FAQs
Can I sue someone for emotional distress in Michigan?
Yes, you can sue for emotional distress in Michigan if it was caused by another party’s negligent or intentional conduct. Emotional distress claims often accompany other personal injury claims, such as physical harm or abuse cases
Can you sue for pain and suffering in Michigan?
Yes, Michigan allows victims to sue for pain and suffering in personal injury cases. These noneconomic damages are typically determined by the severity of the injury and its impact on the victim’s quality of life.
Texas FAQs
Can I sue someone for emotional distress in Texas?
Yes, in Texas, you can sue for emotional distress caused by another party’s negligent or intentional conduct. Like in Michigan, emotional distress claims often accompany physical injury or abuse cases.
Can you sue for pain and suffering in Texas?
Yes, Texas allows victims to sue for pain and suffering as non-economic damages in personal injury cases. The amount is determined by the severity of the injury and its effect on the victim’s uality of life, following state-specific guidelines.
Why Choose Oliver Bell Group?
At the Oliver Bell Group, we understand how life-changing a serious injury can be. Our personal injury lawyers work tirelessly to ensure you are fully compensated for your injuries, lost wages, and emotional suffering. Unlike insurance companies, we are true advocates for you, dedicated to protecting your future.
Call us today or contact us online to speak with a personal injury attorney and start your journey toward justice and recovery.
