Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Nebraska
Injuries happen every day, often when you least expect them. Serious injuries can leave you with many pressing questions. For instance, how can you replace your lost income? How are you going to afford to pay your medical bills? Will you be able to get your life back on track? Perhaps most importantly, who is at fault for causing the accident?
This final question is relevant for individuals in your situation, because the answer determines whether you have grounds to file a personal injury claim. You may be eligible for compensation based on the severity of your injuries.
Are you injured? If a person or organization acted negligently to cause your injuries, it may entitle you to recover compensation for your losses. Write or call the Robert Pahlke Law Group at (308) 633-4444.
Our Results in Personal Injury Cases
Past results do not guarantee results in any particular personal injury case, but they can demonstrate that we fight hard for our clients. Our track record shows a history of fighting for justice.
Previously, the Robert Pahlke Law Group successfully fought for justice in the case of Jameson V. Liquid Controls Corp, resulting in a $5,000,000 verdict for a client who faced extensive burns and other injuries resulting from defective gasoline equipment. At the time, the verdict was the largest in personal injury history for Nebraska. Since that verdict, the Robert Pahlke Law Group has had numerous judgments and verdicts in excess of a million dollars, including an $11,000,000 judgement and a $21,233,631 verdict.
What Are Personal Injuries?
Personal injuries occur in a variety of situations. Here are a few types of injuries our firm addresses:
- Auto negligence – Individuals who behave carelessly on the road by driving recklessly, failing to pay attention, or speeding are acting negligently behind the wheel. This type of negligence may result in serious auto, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents.
- Bicycle accidents – Bicycle riders face injuries caused by cars, other cyclists, and even poor management of bicycle lanes. Cyclists wear minimal protection, making them vulnerable on the road.
- Car accidents – Car accidents are common, and investigators often attribute them to the fault of other drivers failing to yield the right of way, changing lanes without looking, and speeding. Car accident injuries like traumatic brain injuries and whiplash can lead to extreme medical bills.
- Industrial accidents – Industrial injuries often occur in the workplace, resulting in injuries like burns, falls, crushing, chemical poisoning.
- Medical malpractice – When medical professionals make mistakes, they can cause serious health issues. Doctors, nurses, and other medical staff have a duty to act with a specific standard of care. Incidents could include leaving a surgical tool inside the body or even prescribing the wrong medications.
- Nursing home abuse – Nursing home staff members must not breach a standard of care by acting abusively or negligently. Abuse may cover issues like bedsores, choking, and unsanitary conditions.
- Premises liability – These injuries, which include those caused by slip and falls and falling objects, are often the responsibility of business and property owners.
- Product liability – Defective products that cause injuries may include prescriptions, toys, car seats, appliances, and vehicles. Manufacturers are often at fault.
- Railroad injuries – Railroad workers often face injuries including chemical burns, broken bones, and back injuries. An employer may be liable.
- Ranch accidents – The agricultural nature of Nebraska means that ranchers and their staff members are often at risk for injuries caused by animals and farm equipment.
- Wildfires – Wildfires are often caused by negligence or arson on behalf of an individual or organization.
- Workplace injuries – Injuries in the workplace often include burns, falls, poisoning, and broken bones. Construction workers are just one group of people at high risk. Your employer could be liable for your injuries.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcyclists are often at risk because drivers are not typically looking for them on the road. The result could be broken bones or a traumatic brain injury.
- Wrongful death – Injuries caused by car accidents, workplace accidents, and medical malpractice often result in death. Wrongful death cases could warrant compensation for family members.
No matter what kind of injury you are dealing with, legal help is available. A team of personal injury attorneys can manage your case and figure out what compensation you deserve.
Who Is at Fault for Personal Injuries?
Some accidents are simply unavoidable. Other times, we can directly attribute careless or reckless behavior by one or more parties to the accident. Employers, drivers, and property owners could be at fault for injuries.
In some cases, individuals liable for personal injuries try to get out of paying their fair share. They may find ways to blame you for an accident even if you present evidence to the contrary. For instance, the driver of another car may claim that you caused an accident, or your employer may suggest that your own negligence prompted a serious injury.
What Kind of Damages Can You Recover after a Personal Injury?
Each personal injury case is unique, meaning there is no way to predict with any certainty how much you could receive with an insurance settlement or jury verdict without careful consideration. The Robert Pahlke Law Group uses its significant experience as well as jury consultants and focus groups to evaluate cases and to estimate the fair value of your claim. According to Nebraska law, you should be eligible for financial compensation sufficient to bring you as near as possible to your pre-accident condition.
Under the terms of Nebraska Revised Statute §25-21, 185.08, you may sue for comprehensive economic damages for monetary losses linked to medical expenses, lost income, and reduced earning power. Your claim may include funeral expenses in the cost of a wrongful death case, and perhaps even hiring an individual to perform domestic services if medically necessary.
The law also allows you to claim non-economic damages for pain, suffering, disability, inconvenience, mental anguish, and loss of companionship.
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
First, you need to find an attorney and set up a free consultation. After that, attorneys may handle your case on a contingent fee basis. This means you pay your attorney nothing up-front, and your lawyer only collects a fee as a portion of any settlement or judgment.
If you are facing a personal injury, you can fight for the compensation you deserve. At The Robert Pahlke Law Group, our Nebraska personal injury attorneys present over 80 years of combined legal experience. Call us at (308) 633-4444 or send us an email to learn more.