Personal Injury in Prince George's County
At the Law Office of John P. Zanelotti, experienced personal injury litigation attorney, we provide a broad and diverse personal injury practice.
When you are suffering from an injury, you should not have to negotiate with the insurance company alone and wonder if they are telling you everything (they aren't).
We will vigorously negotiate with insurance companies and litigate your claim, lawsuit, and settlement when necessary to help you get the compensation you need for your recovery.
We help you recover compensation for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain & Suffering
- Loss of Consortium
- Future Damages
We represent clients suffering from injuries sustained under a variety of circumstances, including:
We also have a great deal of experience representing clients that have lost a loved one in an accident. Although nothing can ever replace a lost loved one, we can help you pursue a wrongful death claim to help secure your future and the futures of those left behind.
If you or a loved on is suffering from a personal injury or you have lost a loved one in an accident, contact us.
Personal Injury Lawsuits in Prince George’s, Charles and Metro Area
If you are suffering from an injury, the insurance company may try to convince you to settle the claim. Usually, the moment you sign a settlement agreement, you waive any right to pursue further damages down the road. For some people, symptoms of injuries do not materialize for months, even years.
Before you sign anything, meet with us at NO CHARGE.
We will examine your claim and give you our honest opinion of how best to proceed. Always remember, the insurance company does not have your interests in mind. In fact, it is their job to minimize and limit your financial recovery, and avoid a law suit. It is our job to see that you get everything you deserve.
We regularly serve clients in Prince George's, Charles, Calvert, Anne Arundel, and Howard Counties, as well throughout the Eastern Shore of Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Personal Injury, General - An Overview
Personal injury claims can arise from motor vehicle accidents, defective products, medical or hospital malpractice, construction site accidents, slip and falls, nursing home negligence, premises liability and wrongful death. Workers compensation claims do not require fault by anyone, just an on the job injury. Liability means that someone or some company was at fault and caused the accident, resulting in an injury. In Maryland, you must not also be at fault or slightly at fault (contributory negligence) or it will negate your claim.
In order to have a successful outcome, you must prove by a preponderance of the evidence or more likely so than not so, that the other person or company was negligent or committed malpractice, and as a result caused injuries and damages to you. Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care in the same or similar circumstances. It is a legal cause of damages if it directly causes or contributes to injuries and damages arising from it.
Product Liability
Personal injury can result from the use of dangerous or defective products. "Products liability" law refers to the rules governing a manufacturer or other provider's liability for products that harm consumers and workers. The laws in this area are based on the idea that manufacturers, dealers, and other commercial interests are best-placed to prevent harm from defective or dangerous products.
Companies that allow dangerous items into the marketplace can be held accountable for resulting injuries. An experienced and knowledgeable personal injury litigation lawyer can advise injured persons on whether they may have a claim against a product manufacturer or seller and can help them recover the damages to which they are legally entitled.
The Victim's Burden
Historically, consumers dealt with injuries from bad products on their own with no recourse to the maker or seller. Although "caveat emptor" (let the buyer beware) is no longer the standard, victims of bad products still need to protect their rights. In products liability lawsuits, the victim has to show that there was a product defect or that product labeling or warnings were inadequate.
The victim must also prove that the product caused harm while being used as intended; alternatively, the victim must show that the manufacturer should have anticipated the way the product actually was used (for example, a manufacturer should anticipate that a steak knife will be used not only to cut steak, but also to cut open packages.
Manufacturing defects are a common basis for products liability cases. If one consumer's propane barbeque blows up when first lit, it's pretty clear that there is a manufacturing defect in the product. A design-based case could arise if an entire run of barbeques had the same problem because of a flaw in the design of the item. In either case, the victim needs to show that the defect existed when it came into his or her hands and that that defect caused the injuries in question.
Almost every product might be the subject of a products liability case, but some particular items seem to come up over and over again. Chemicals and other materials, including asbestos, are commonly blamed for worker injuries. Firearm manufacturers have faced lawsuits by victims of faulty weapons and of shootings. Machinery and tools are frequent subjects (for example, when a homeowner is injured by an automatic garage door or a snowblower).
Medical products and devices may cause problems, and "lemon" cars have been the subject of products liability suits. One of the most common targets is tobacco, under a variety of legal theories; more recently, fast food has come under scrutiny.
As in other personal injury cases, if a products liability victim proves his or her case or law suit, the manufacturer or other responsible party will pay damages and settlements, which may include:
- Compensation for injuries or deaths
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other financial awards, including compensation to family members.
Conclusion
If you have been injured by a product, you need a skilled personal injury and products liability law attorney to advise you toward the most favorable outcome.
If you or someone you know has suffered personal injuries as a result of using a dangerous or defective product, an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can advise you on whether you may have a claim against the product manufacturer or seller and can help you receive the maximum damages recoverable under the applicable law.
Contact our law office toll free #
1-866-675-1983 to schedule a free consultation, or fill out our
contact form with any question you have.
Personal Injury, General Resource Links
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Features labor data, surveys, publications and more.
CDC Injury Coverage
Injuries From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Features information on accident causes and prevention, traffic fatalities, drowning, falls, and more.
Division of Quality Assurance U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Links to National Practitioner Data Bank and the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety / Highway Loss Data Institute Features vehicle ratings, safety facts, publications and more.