What is considered a personal injury in Georgia?

Updated on June 11, 2021

Suffering any type of injury can be a stressful experience. Not only will you have to manage the physical pain and recovery from the injury, but you can incur significant expenses that come with medical, and therapy bills and lost wages. If you have been injured and incurred a loss due to the negligence of another party, filling a personal injury claim or a lawsuit is an effective way to receive compensation for your losses. In the state of Georgia, there are a variety of situations and types of losses that are frequently considered personal injuries and would warrant a personal injury claim.

Road Traffic Accidents

One of the most common situations that will result in a personal injury claim is if you are involved in a road accident. If you are involved in a bad accident, there is always a chance that you will need to receive medical attention. If another driver on the road was at fault for the accident, they will be responsible for covering your bodily injury expenses. All drivers in the state of Georgia are required to carry liability insurance. If they do not have this coverage, or it is not enough to cover the damages, the driver will be required to pay the difference out of pocket. 

Accidents at Work

Depending on the type of job you do, there could be a chance that you are injured and need medical care or are not able to work for a period of time. Most employers in Georgia will need to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which is designed to provide financial support to those that are injured while working on the job. If you are injured while at work, you should file a worker’s compensation claim. If you do not receive enough support, filing an additional personal injury claim against the employer could be warranted. 

Assault and Battery

Assault and battery is also considered a personal injury in this state. This is a different type of injury as it shows willful intent to commit harm as opposed to it being an accident. In many cases, an assault and battery case will also lead to criminal proceedings. However, you still should file a personal injury claim if you are a victim of this crime. 

Slip and Fall

Any property owner has the obligation to ensure their business and the walkway in front of it is safe to use. If there is ice or moisture on the ground, it can greatly increase the chance that someone could slip and fall. If you slip and fall and are hurt, you will have a valid personal injury claim to file against the owner of the business or property. 

Dog Bite

Another form of personal injury that is taken quite seriously in the state of Georgia is if you are injured by a dog. If you are bitten by a dog, it can cause serious wounds, cause loss of some functionality, and leave permanent scarring. Dog owners in this state have the responsibility to ensure their pet does not harm anyone or another animal. If you are bitten by a dog, the owner of the pet will be responsible for ensuring that your losses are fully covered. If they have proper home insurance in place, this may offer the coverage needed to manage your claim. 

When do Claims Need to be Filed?

If you have been injured in an accident and believe that you have a case for a personal injury claim, it is important to file any necessary lawsuit or other information on time. In the state of Georgia, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to file your claim. If you do not file within this time period, the statute of limitations could pass, and having the case heard by a court can be difficult. There are some factors that can change the statute, including if there is also a criminal case involved. 

If you have suffered a personal injury and believe it was due to the intent or negligence of another party, hiring legal representation for your personal injury claim is a great option. The team with the Mann Law Firm can provide you guidance to ensure that you are properly represented and receive the support that you are entitled to. This service will include providing a full consultation, ensuring that your claim is filed on time, and handling all deliberations and negotiations with the other parties involved. 

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.