Personal Injury Law in Gulfport, MS

Personal injury law covers many types of incidents in Gulfport. It can involve anything from slip-and-fall accidents to medical malpractice. Most importantly, there are regulations for victims to receive fair compensation for their injuries.

The broad range of possibilities means these cases can be complex and intimidating. As a result, you may need a local personal injury attorney to cut through the bureaucracy and get results.

This article is your guide to essential state and federal laws that apply in Gulfport. Consider your options with us today and ask us for a referral to legal help!

What Is Personal Injury Law?

Personal injury law in Gulfport relates to the legal process of getting compensation for an injury caused by someone else’s negligent behavior. These cases involve one party, the plaintiff, trying to seek financial compensation for expenses incurred and money lost as a result of the defendant’s reckless behavior. These cases involve both parties’ insurance companies and may even settle before proceeding to litigation.

Examples of Personal Injury Claims in Gulfport, MS

Some personal injury claims are more common than others. However, almost any incident that ends with a physical or mental injury could qualify, depending on the circumstances.

A few of the most common personal injury claims are:

• Car Accidents
• Slip and Fall
• Dog Bites
• Medical Malpractice
• Workplace Accidents
• Burn Injuries

Most Common Injuries in Gulfport 

The most common personal injury cases in Gulfport include the following types of accidents:

• Distracted Driving
• Speeding
• Drunk Driving
• Poor Road Conditions
• Slip and fall

Steps in a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Gulfport, MS

Once you determine that you wish to proceed forward with a personal injury action in Mississippi

A lawsuit begins when a complaint is filed with the court and served on the defendant. The complaint alleges your assertion as the plaintiff that the defendant’s negligent behavior resulted in damage to your body or mental state. As the process proceeds forward, you may have to go through depositions, independent medical evaluations and document production. This discovery process is lengthy and ends in either settlement or a court appearance.

The court system in Mississippi gets involved upon the filing of a complaint. The injured party (plaintiff) in Gulfport must outline their case against the defendant. Then, that person or organization gets served a legal notice. Typically, a discovery phase follows where the parties exchange information. If the case does not settle out of court during this time, it proceeds to a trial. Then, a judge or a jury in a state circuit court has the final word.

Mississippi Personal Injury Settlement

With most personal injury cases, insurance companies and injured parties prefer settlement negotiations rather than going to court for a trial. You may wonder how much you should seek in your settlement and factors that impact the final amount.

The cost of injuries in personal injury lawsuits in Gulfport varies widely. The final numbers depend on the specifics of each case. These costs typically include lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. Nonetheless, settlements and awards in Gulfport reflect the severity of the injury.

If the other party has insurance, the insurance company likely wants to settle out of court to avoid leaving the final settlement decision to a jury. Settlements benefit injured parties as much as they do insurance companies. This is because accepting a settlement means you receive compensation sooner rather than later. Also, by going to court in MS, that means you risk not receiving any compensation at all.

Damage Awards in Mississippi

If your Mississippi personal injury lawsuit goes before a judge or jury, your legal team will be ready with a request for damages. In personal injury cases, there are three types of damage awards a court may order the defendant to pay to compensate you for the damage he or she inflicted.

Special compensatory damages reimburse you for things such as lost income, medical bills and insurance deductibles. You submit receipts proving these losses.

General compensatory damages are subjective. If you receive special compensatory damages, you may also collect general damages. If your injury was particularly painful, you might request that the judge order the defendant compensate you for the pain and anguish.

Punitive damages are the most rarely awarded and are up to the court. The judge or jury may determine that the defendant’s negligence was particularly heinous and the resulting injury to you was equally horrific.

There are specific caps on non-economic damages in Mississippi. This category involves intangible losses, such as emotional distress. The law caps the amount at $500,000. However, Gulfport residents do not have limits on how much they receive for economic damages. Direct losses like medical bills or equipment do not have limitations.

Statute of Limitations in Gulfport, MS Personal Injury Law?

The injured party may have a set amount of time to file suit for a personal injury case. State law establishes statutes of limitation. Commonly, the plaintiff’s injury or discovery of the injury begins the statute of limitations. However, the latter factor is trickier, as the plaintiff will have to prove when the injury was first realized.

The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits from Gulfport is generally three years. The clock starts to tick from the date of the injury.

We recommend you speak with a personal injury lawyer for this matter. Don’t wait too long and miss out on receiving the compensation you deserve for your injury.

Work With an Experienced Gulfport, MS Lawyer

Pursue a personal injury claim in Gulfport against the responsible person if you are dealing with an injury caused by someone else. One of our experienced lawyers can help you navigate your personal injury claim. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Mississippi state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!