Negligence is an unethical, careless act that may lead to the injury of another person, sometimes as a result of medical malpractice. In other words, negligence-base injuries would otherwise be avoidable with proper care and safety in practice. According to research, negligence leads to approximately 80,000 to 160,000 deaths in the US and UK annually.
Negligence may seem clear, but even if you believe your own personal injury case was due to negligence, whether caused directly by someone else or via the unethical failure to properly tend to your injury, proving it is a whole different story. For that reason, let’s discuss characteristics that a negligence case may consist of.
- Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol
If someone is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol while, for example, operating a motorized vehicle, and injures someone in a car accident, this would be a case of personal injury due to negligence as it is unethical, unsafe, and illegal to be under the influence while driving.
- Inability to maintain a safe physical environment
A store, restaurant, or other location that fails to maintain a safe environment (e.g., floorboards sticking up, unsterile dishes and utensils) could lose a personal injury case if the unsafe environment is to blame someone’s injury or illness. Maintaining a safe environment means ensuring a building, along with products and services, do not pose risk for others.
- Lack of caution signs near danger zones
Whether in the workplace, at a hospital, or other setting, if there is a dangerous zone such as a slippery floor, caution signs must be present, or the zone must be closed off. Without informing others about potential danger, injury could occur. In turn, this would be an example of a personal injury as a result of negligence.
- Failure to follow proper procedures or instruct others on procedures
In a professional setting, there are certain rules and procedures that must be followed to maintain safe practice. In the case that, say, a medical professional fails to follow proper procedures when treating a patient or if a business owner fails to instruct employees how to safely use potentially dangerous equipment or machinery, this would be negligence.
- Delayed or denied medical assessment or treatment
Regardless of how you obtained an injury, disease, or illness, if you receive an injury or your injury is worsened as a result of delayed or denied medical attention, this would be unethical on part of the medical professionals and hospital involved as every patient, especially during an emergency, deserves assessment and treatment in a safe and timely manner.
If you are still unsure if your personal injury case was a result of negligence, visit Steffens Law online for more information.
Conclusion
Overall, personal injuries as a result of negligence don’t just take place in medical environments but can also take place in other settings: homes, stores or restaurants, vehicles, even the workplace. At any time you or a loved one is injured due to a suspected unethical origin, speak with an attorney about your legal rights for potentially receiving compensation for injuries.
