Once summer rolls around, you have two choices. You can either pay a pretty penny to have a local lawn care company mow your lawn or you can do it yourself. If you have a lawnmower and an extra hour on the weekends, you don’t mind doing your own lawn work. The problem is, even if you’re a professional, you can still get injured while using this kind of equipment. If your spouse gets hurt while doing his weekly duty, you may not know what to do.
Of course, you take him to the emergency room to get treatment. You assume your primary health insurance will cover the treatment. What you don’t realize is that your injuries could be rather serious. You may end up out of work for quite some time. You may need long-term physical therapy. That’s when it’s time to call a Douglassville personal injury lawyer.
You May Have a Claim Against the Manufacturer of the Lawn Mower
At first, you probably assumed the accident was your fault. For all you know, there could have been a defect with the mower itself. Or if you were using a trimmer or weed whacker, there could have been something wrong with the tool. If you suspect this is the case, you should call and talk to an experienced Douglasville personal injury lawyer. You may have a possible legal claim against the manufacturer of the lawn tool. Your attorney can have an expert look at the tool and see if a malfunction is what led to your getting hurt.
This Would Fall Under Product Liability Law
If you need to pursue this sort of claim, it will fall under something called product liability. There are three main types of product liability cases. Your Douglasville personal injury lawyer will check to see which type your case falls under. A design defect is when a product would have been dangerous no matter how perfectly the product was made. Then there’s a manufacturing defect. This is when a product would have been safe had it been made properly.
Finally, there is strict liability. This is when a product is so inherently dangerous, that the manufacturer is liable for any injuries caused by the product. With a lawn accident, it would most likely fall under a manufacturing defect. This means your Douglasville personal injury lawyer would name the manufacturer, the distributor, and the retailer in your lawsuit. There’s no way to be sure where the product suffered its defect. Perhaps it got mishandled while in transit to the store. Or it may have been damaged by a stock person who accidentally knocked off a safety feature when putting it on the shelves.
Your Douglasville Accident Lawyer Will Have to Prove They Used It Properly
One thing your Douglassville personal injury lawyer will have to demonstrate is that you used the item properly. If you know for a fact that you were using it the wrong way or without the necessary safety gear, let them know up front. You don’t want to have your lawyer be blindsided halfway through the case. For example, if you were using a weed whacker to prune a tree, it could be a problem.
How Serious Were Your Spouse’s Injuries After the Lawn Incident?
The other thing your attorney will need to prove is how bad your injuries were. So, it’s really important that you go to the hospital right away. The only way to show had bad your injuries were is to submit a copy of your medical records. Otherwise, it’ll be your word against the defendant. It’ll be really hard to prove damages if you didn’t go to the hospital.
At Least Meet with an Experienced Douglasville Accident Lawyer
In order to know if you even have a possible claim is to meet with a Douglasville personal injury lawyer right away. They’ll direct you on what to do next and how to sort out your options. If they feel you have a legitimate claim for damages, they’ll help you file a civil lawsuit. They’ll make sure to name all potential defendants in the suit.
They’ll also reach out to the defendant’s attorney to try to negotiate a settlement. In the meantime, you need to take care of yourself and let your injuries heal. Trust that your attorney has your best interests at heart. The good news is that you can meet with one for free since they’ll offer you a free, initial consultation.
