Table of Contents
- What Is Personal Injury Law in Rhode Island?
- Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
- How Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum Builds Strong Personal Injury Cases
- What Compensation Can You Recover in Rhode Island Personal Injury Cases?
- Why Choose Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum for Your Personal Injury Case?
- When Should You Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer?
What Is Personal Injury Law in Rhode Island?
Personal injury law in Rhode Island allows injured individuals to seek compensation when another party's negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions cause harm. These cases cover a wide range of incidents, from motor vehicle accidents to medical malpractice, and provide a legal pathway for victims to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Rhode Island experiences thousands of motor vehicle accidents annually, with over 42,900 people dying in U.S. motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021 according to the Department of Transportation. This represents a 10% increase from 2020's 38,824 fatalities. Motor vehicle accidents frequently result in serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment and long-term rehabilitation.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents and fatalities remain a significant concern, with 20 people per day killed by drivers in the U.S. during 2021, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. These accidents are most common in urban areas, particularly on roadsides, shoulders, parking areas, and shared-use paths. The first half of 2021 alone saw 2,957 pedestrian fatalities nationwide.
Premises Liability and Slip-and-Fall Cases
Property owners, landlords, and property managers have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. When they fail to address hazardous conditions like wet floors, uneven surfaces, inadequate lighting, or structural defects, they can be held liable for resulting injuries. Premises liability cases can be more complex than motor vehicle accidents because establishing fault requires proving the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.
Product Liability Claims
Product liability cases arise when defective or dangerous products cause injury to consumers. In most states, including Rhode Island, you don't need to be the original purchaser to file a product liability claim. These cases can involve design defects, manufacturing defects, or inadequate warnings about potential dangers.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care required by state law. To succeed in a medical malpractice case, we must prove that negligence caused injury or harm that would not have occurred without the negligent act. Rhode Island requires doctors to maintain medical malpractice insurance, and these cases typically involve civil claims against physicians and healthcare facilities.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect, and victims are often unable or afraid to report mistreatment. Family members who suspect nursing home abuse can file claims to help recover damages for injuries and hold facilities accountable for substandard care.
Animal Bites and Attacks
Animal bite injuries often result in serious wounds and infections. Symptoms of infection include pain, swelling, inflammation, and redness. These injuries require immediate medical attention, as infections can quickly become life-threatening. Dog bite cases in Rhode Island may involve strict liability, meaning owners can be held responsible regardless of the animal's previous behavior.
Wrongful Death Cases
When negligence results in a fatality, surviving family members can pursue wrongful death claims in Rhode Island. These cases seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of companionship, and the emotional suffering of losing a loved one.
How Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum Builds Strong Personal Injury Cases
Comprehensive Investigation Process
Our approach to personal injury cases begins with thorough investigation and evidence gathering. We examine accident scenes, collect witness statements, obtain police reports, and preserve physical evidence that supports your claim.
Expert Collaboration
When cases require specialized knowledge, we work with qualified professionals including:
- Medical professionals who can explain the extent of injuries and long-term prognosis
- Private investigators who can uncover additional evidence
- Engineers who can analyze mechanical failures or structural defects
- Accident reconstruction experts who can demonstrate how incidents occurred
Establishing Liability
Determining fault is crucial in personal injury cases. We carefully analyze all aspects of your case to identify responsible parties and establish their legal liability for your injuries.
Damage Assessment
We thoroughly evaluate the full impact of your injuries, including:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
What Compensation Can You Recover in Rhode Island Personal Injury Cases?
Rhode Island personal injury law allows recovery for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include measurable financial losses like medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages compensate for pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life.
In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
Why Choose Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum for Your Personal Injury Case?
No Upfront Costs
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This ensures access to quality legal representation regardless of your financial situation.
Proven Track Record
While we successfully settle many cases on favorable terms for our clients, we don't hesitate to take cases to trial when necessary to achieve the best possible outcome.
Personalized Attention
We understand that every personal injury case is unique. Our attorneys take time to understand how your injuries have affected your life and work to secure compensation that addresses your specific needs and circumstances.
Local Knowledge
As experienced Rhode Island personal injury lawyers, we understand state laws, local court procedures, and the tactics commonly used by insurance companies in our area.
When Should You Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Time is critical in personal injury cases due to Rhode Island's statute of limitations, which generally requires filing within three years of the injury date. However, evidence can disappear and witnesses' memories can fade, making early legal consultation important for building the strongest possible case.
