
No one expects to suffer injuries when they leave the house in the morning. However, if hit by a car or slip and fall while shopping in a store, accidents do happen. Just because these are accidents does not mean you should shoulder the burden of the expenses you’ve endured because of another party’s negligence. As such, understanding the difference between a first and third-party personal injury claim is critical to recovering the funds you deserve. The following blog explores these further, and you’ll also learn how a Sacramento personal injury lawyer can fight for the compensation you are entitled to.
What Is a Third-Party Personal Injury Claim?
If injured because of a negligent party, you may hear the terms first and third-personal injury claims. Understanding what these mean is critical to ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. Generally, these terms refer to the proximity someone has to an accident. For example, if hit by a driver while walking in a crosswalk, you may file a lawsuit against the driver directly. This is a first-party lawsuit. However, you may also file a lawsuit against their insurance company, which is a third-party lawsuit. A first-person claim is generally against another individual, while a third party will most likely be an entity, such as a business.
Another example of a first versus third-party claim would be if injured by an independent contractor hired by your construction company. Suing the contractor directly would be a first-person claim while suing the company responsible for hiring the individual would represent a third-party claim.
What Compensation Can I Recover?
If injured because of another party’s negligence, understanding the compensation you can recover is critical. There are generally two forms of compensation – economic and non-economic damages – that someone injured can recover.
Economic damages represent the actual monetary losses you have and will suffer because of the injuries you’ve experienced. This includes medical expenses, lost wages if you’ve taken time off work to heal, any future medical bills you anticipate, and compensation for property damage.
You can also fight for non-economic damages. These refer to non-monetary losses you’ve suffered because of the injuries you’ve sustained. For example, if you can no longer participate in a sport, you may experience a loss of enjoyment of life. You can also seek compensation for pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and disfigurement.
If you’ve experienced pain and monetary losses because of another person’s negligence, it’s necessary to understand that you are likely entitled to compensation. If you wish to seek the funds you deserve, connecting with an experienced attorney is critical to ensuring you have the best chance possible at recovering the funds you deserve. Contact the Law Offices of Dale R. Gomes today to learn how our dedicated legal team will do everything possible to help you.