Get Compensated for Your Losses Due to Hand Injury in Tinton Falls, New Jersey
At Kreizer Law, our hand injury attorney in Tinton Falls NJ understands the debilitating impact that hand injuries can have on your daily life. Whether you’ve suffered a workplace accident, a car crash, a slip and fall incident, or any other unfortunate event resulting in hand injury, we are here to help.
Our dedicated team of accomplished personal injury attorneys, and we have a proven track record of successfully representing clients throughout New Jersey. When it comes to hand injury issues, we recognize that the road to recovery can be long and arduous. The pain, medical expenses, loss of income, and emotional distress can be overwhelming.
Put your trust in Kreizer Law, where we combine legal experience with an unwavering dedication to help you seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us today or visit our website to schedule a free consultation. Let us be your advocate and guide you toward a brighter future.
What is a Hand Injury?
A hand injury refers to any harm or damage that occurs to the structures of the hand, including the fingers, thumb, palm, and wrist. Hand injuries can vary in severity, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to more serious conditions.
What Causes a Hand Injury?
Hand injuries can be caused by a variety of factors and circumstances. Some common causes of hand injuries include:
Accidents
Accidents such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, workplace mishaps, or sports-related injuries, can result in hand injuries. These accidents may involve blunt force trauma, crush injuries, or falls on an outstretched hand.
Occupational Hazards
Certain occupations pose a higher risk of hand injuries. Jobs that involve heavy machinery, construction work, manufacturing, handling sharp objects, or exposure to hazardous substances increase the likelihood of hand injuries.
Machinery and Equipment
Improper use or malfunctioning of machinery and equipment can lead to hand injuries. Contact with moving parts, entanglement, or being caught between machinery components can cause severe hand trauma.
Sharp Objects
Accidental cuts and lacerations from sharp objects, such as knives, broken glass, or tools, can cause damage to the hand, including the skin, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels.
Repetitive Strain
Overuse or repetitive movements of the hand, such as typing, using power tools, or performing assembly line work, can lead to repetitive strain injuries like tendonitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or trigger finger.
Sports and Recreational Activities
Engaging in sports or recreational activities without proper protective gear or in hazardous conditions can result in hand injuries. These injuries can occur during contact sports, ball games, martial arts, or outdoor activities.
Home Accidents
Everyday activities at home, such as cooking, handling sharp objects, using tools, or engaging in DIY projects, can lead to hand injuries if caution is not exercised.
What Are the Common Hand Injuries in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, like in any other location, hand injuries can occur in various situations. Some of the common hand injuries seen in New Jersey include:
Fractures
Hand fractures are breaks or cracks in the bones of the hand or fingers. They can occur due to falls, sports injuries, workplace accidents, or direct trauma to the hand.
Dislocations
A dislocation happens when the bones of a joint are forced out of their normal position. Dislocations in the hand can result from a sudden impact, such as during a fall or while playing sports.
Tendon Injuries
Tendons are fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones. Injuries to hand tendons can occur due to sudden force, lacerations, or repetitive strain. Tendon injuries may cause pain, swelling, limited hand movement, and difficulty gripping objects.
Nerve Damage
Damage to the nerves in the hand can result in numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of sensation in the affected area. Nerve injuries can occur due to trauma, lacerations, or fractures.
Ligament Sprains
Ligaments are strong bands of connective tissue that hold bones together at joints. Sprains can occur when a ligament is stretched or torn, usually due to a sudden twisting or impact. Hand ligament sprains can cause pain, swelling, instability, and limited hand function.
Amputations
Complete or partial amputations of fingers or the hand can result from severe accidents or crushing injuries. These are life-altering injuries that require immediate medical attention.
It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive, and there may be other hand injuries that can occur in New Jersey. If you’ve experienced a hand injury, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly and consult with our qualified Tinton Falls hand injury attorney to understand your rights and explore potential legal options.
What to Do Following a Hand Injury in New Jersey?
Following a hand injury in New Jersey, it is essential to take appropriate steps to ensure your well-being and protect your legal rights. Here’s what you should do:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Your health and safety should be the top priority. If you have a hand injury, promptly seek medical attention from a healthcare professional. Even seemingly minor injuries may have underlying complications that require medical assessment and treatment.
Document the Details
Take note of the circumstances surrounding the hand injury. If possible, gather information about how the injury occurred, where it took place, and any witnesses present. This documentation may be helpful if you decide to pursue a legal claim later.
Report the Incident
If the hand injury occurred in a workplace or public setting, report the incident to the appropriate authority or supervisor. In a workplace, inform your employer or supervisor about the injury and complete any incident or accident report required.
Preserve Evidence
If applicable, preserve any evidence related to the hand injury. This can include photographs of the accident scene, the condition of equipment or machinery involved, or any other relevant objects or factors that contributed to the injury.
Consult With a Qualified Attorney
If you believe your hand injury occurred due to the negligence or fault of another party, it’s advisable to consult with our skilled hand injury attorney Tinton Falls NJ. We can assess your case, explain your legal rights and options, and guide you through the process of seeking compensation for your injuries.
Notify Your Insurance Provider
If applicable, inform your insurance provider about the hand injury and any potential claims you may need to file. This includes workers’ compensation claims, auto insurance claims in case of an accident, or any other relevant insurance coverage.
Follow Medical Advice
Follow the treatment plan and recommendations provided by your healthcare professional. Attend follow-up appointments, take prescribed medications, and follow any rehabilitation or therapy instructions to aid in your recovery.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Hand Injury?
The party or parties who may be held liable for a hand injury depend on the circumstances surrounding the injury. Here are some potential parties that could be held responsible:
- Individual Negligence
- Property Owners
- Employers
- Manufacturers or Distributors
- Medical Professionals
- Third Parties
How Can I Prove Negligence in My Hand Injury Claim?
Suffering a hand injury in an accident can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s life. In such cases, the injured person has the right to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. This can be achieved by filing a personal injury lawsuit. However, for the case to be successful, the injured party must meet the burden of proof.
Meeting the burden of proof involves demonstrating two key elements. First, it must be proven that the defendant had a duty of care towards the injured person. This duty of care can either be explicitly stated or implied based on the circumstances. Regardless of its nature, it is crucial to establish its existence. To establish negligence, the following steps can be taken:
Proving the Existence of Duty of Care
To establish the existence of a duty of care, the individual needs to have a clear understanding of the accident and the reasons why the other party should be held responsible. For instance, property owners have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of their premises.
Proving the Breached of Duty of Care
After establishing that the other party had a duty of care, the next step for the injured party is to demonstrate how this duty was violated. This can be achieved by considering the following factors:
- Reports detailing the incident
- Testimonies from individuals who witnessed the accident
- Testimonies from experts in relevant fields
- Surveillance footage capturing the incident
- Results of chemical tests, if applicable
- Photographs or videos taken at the scene of the accident
Proving Causation
Once the breach of duty has been established, the next crucial step is to demonstrate a direct link between this breach and the occurrence of the accident, as well as the resulting hand injuries. This connection is pivotal in proving the negligence of the other party.
Seeking Damages
If the injured party’s case is successful, they may be entitled to receive financial compensation to alleviate the trauma they have experienced. This compensation provides reassurance that they will not have to bear the burden of additional costs or lost wages resulting from the hand injury accident.
To secure this compensation, the injured party needs to demonstrate that damages occurred as a direct consequence of the negligence involved. The potential damages that can be recovered following an accident include:
- Expenses related to medical treatment
- Compensation for lost wages and benefits
- Compensation for the loss of future earning capacity
- Costs associated with physical therapy
- Costs associated with occupational therapy
- Reimbursement for court-related expenses
What is New Jersey’s Shared Fault Law?
If the plaintiff successfully proves each of the four elements, including the defendant’s breach of duty of care that directly caused actual damages, they may be eligible to receive compensation for their case. In New Jersey, the state follows shared fault laws, which means that the court will assess the level of responsibility each party bears for the hand injuries.
As long as it is determined that the plaintiff is no more than 50 percent at fault, they can still recover damages. For instance, consider a scenario where a distracted driver collides with an intoxicated pedestrian who was illegally crossing the road.
The defendant may argue that they are partially at fault for not paying attention to the road, but the injured party is also to blame for unlawfully crossing while intoxicated. In such a case, if the plaintiff is seeking $100,000 in damages and the court determines that they are 30 percent at fault, the court would award them $70,000 as compensation.
It’s important to understand that the actual amount awarded can vary based on the specific circumstances and the court’s evaluation of each party’s level of fault.
What is New Jersey’s Statute of Limitations for Hand Injury Claims?
In New Jersey, there is a statute of limitations that allows a two-year time frame for filing a claim related to a hand injury. If you fail to initiate legal proceedings within two years from the date of the injury, you may be prohibited from pursuing a personal injury case in court.
Therefore, it is crucial to promptly reach out to our personal injury attorney if you have been injured. It is worth noting that there is an exception to this rule in cases of medical malpractice. In such instances, claims can be filed within two years after the victim becomes aware of the occurrence of malpractice.
What If I Missed the Statute of Limitations?
If you decide to file a hand injury claim after the two-year time limit, the defendant has the right to request a “motion to dismiss” and present the facts to the court. In such a situation, the court is likely to dismiss your case.
Unfortunately, this means that regardless of the severity of your hand injuries, you lose the opportunity to seek compensation from the court for the damages you have suffered.
Why Do I Need a Hand Injury Attorney in New Jersey?
Hiring our accomplished hand injury attorney in New Jersey is crucial for several reasons:
Legal Knowledge
Hand injury cases can involve complex legal processes, intricate medical terminology, and specific knowledge of personal injury laws in New Jersey. Our skilled Tinton Falls hand injury attorney has the experience and understanding of these laws to navigate your case effectively.
We can provide you with accurate legal advice, evaluate the strength of your claim, and guide you through the entire legal process.
Case Evaluation
Our personal injury attorney will assess the unique aspects of your hand injury case, including the extent of your injuries, the circumstances surrounding the incident, and the potential liability of the responsible party or parties. We will evaluate the available evidence, interview witnesses, consult with experts, and build a strong case on your behalf.
Gathering Evidence
Proving fault and demonstrating the extent of your hand injury requires a thorough collection of evidence. Our legal team has the resources and knowledge to gather crucial evidence, such as accident reports, medical records, expert opinions, and witness testimonies.
We will construct a compelling case on your behalf, strengthening your chances of a successful outcome.
Maximizing Compensation
Our primary goal is to help you receive the maximum compensation you deserve. We will work diligently to calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and any future anticipated expenses related to your hand injury.
Our negotiation skills will be essential in pursuing a fair settlement with insurance companies or advocating for your rights in court.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often employ tactics to minimize payouts or deny valid claims. Having our knowledgeable hand injury attorney Tinton Falls NJ by your side ensures that you have a skilled advocate who can handle negotiations with insurance adjusters on your behalf.
We will protect your rights, handle all communication, and work to secure a fair settlement that reflects the true value of your hand injury.
Legal Process Guidance
Navigating the legal process can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with a hand injury and its associated challenges. We will guide you through each step, ensuring compliance with court procedures, statutes of limitations, and filing deadlines.
Our deep understanding of personal injury laws will alleviate your stress, allowing you to focus on your recovery while they handle the legal complexities.
Litigation Representation
If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, our competent hand injury attorney will have the litigation experience necessary to take your case to court. We will provide vigorous representation, present your case to a judge or jury, and fight for your rights in the courtroom.
Our Law Firm is Here to Protect Your Legal Rights
When facing a hand injury in New Jersey, it is essential to seek the assistance of our qualified hand injury attorney Tinton Falls NJ. Kreizer Law is a trusted law firm that handles personal injury cases, including hand injuries.
With our deep understanding of New Jersey laws and our dedication to client advocacy, we can provide the legal representation you need to navigate the complexities of your case. At Kreizer Law, our team of skilled personal injury attorneys will evaluate your hand injury case, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, litigate on your behalf.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial impact a hand injury can have on your life, and we are committed to maximizing your compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Don’t let a hand injury hold you back. Contact Kreizer Law today to schedule a consultation and discover how our legal services can help you overcome the challenges associated with your hand injury in New Jersey.
Also, we can assist you with Nursing Home Abuse, Truck Accidents, Uber or Lyft Accidents, Workers’ Compensation, and Sexual Abuse. Let Kreizer Law be your trusted partner in pursuing justice and securing the compensation you deserve.
