Personal Injury

Overview

Personal injuries devastate people’s lives in many ways. This includes not only the physical injuries, but also includes a person’s ability to earn a living for themselves and their family. That is why it is important to hire an effective and aggressive personal injury lawyer to litigate your personal injury claim.

Our firm is experienced in representing those who have been injured. While we are aggressive when advocating for our personal injury clients, we are very compassionate with our injured clients and are genuinely interested in our clients’ well-being. We are there for our clients during all stages of the personal injury case, from the initial investigation, medical treatment, and insurance processing, all the way through to a trial.

In all personal injury cases, it is essential that you act quickly in hiring an attorney. Any delay in hiring a lawyer could jeopardize your case.

For example, very shortly after your accident, an insurance company representative may contact you and request that you provide a tape-recorded statement of what transpired. It is essential that an attorney is present when you provide this statement. If an attorney is not present, you could jeopardize your case and the amount of money that you can recover later on. This is because admissions or statements that you make during this recorded statement can be used against you by the insurance company.

An attorney also needs to get involved immediately after the accident to ensure that the evidence of your case is gathered and preserved. If evidence is not properly gathered or preserved, you will have a difficult time being able to prove your case.

Further, an attorney’s immediate involvement in your case will ensure that you are seeking proper medical care and getting the expert opinions that will be necessary to prove your injuries. This information is critical to establishing your case.

As you can see, an attorney must be involved immediately after your injury to ensure that measures are promptly taken to preserve evidence, to ensure that the accident is properly investigated, and to enable the appropriate physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate your injuries. Moreover, there are statutes of limitations in the State of New York that limit the amount of time that an injured person has to bring a lawsuit based upon personal injury. This is all the more reason that you should not delay in hiring an attorney.

If you or a loved one is a victim of an injury case, contact our office for a free initial consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. If we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only after we recover money for you.

Below are descriptions of some of the most common types of personal injury cases that occur. However, our office does not limit its practice to the types of personal injury cases that are listed below.

Slips and Falls
The term “slip and fall” generally refers to situations where a person is injured by slipping, or tripping, and falling due to a dangerous condition. Such falls can happen inside or outside a building, and can be caused by any of a number of conditions, including icy and wintry conditions, wet floors, poor lighting, structural defects, or failure to comply with safety guidelines. Common slip and fall accidents occur in grocery stores, department stores, malls, parking lots, restaurants, and places that have heavy foot traffic. These falls are known to cause catastrophic injuries. We have extensive experience with claims related to serious injuries as the result of slip and fall accidents. - Top

Automobile Accidents
Automobile accidents give rise to the majority of personal injury claims in the United States. Our firm handles cases for motorists, passengers, and pedestrians injured in motor vehicle accidents. These accidents are not limited to cars but also include motorcycles, dirt bikes, trucks, ATVs and snowmobiles.

In all motor vehicle cases it is essential that an attorney be involved so that measures can be taken to promptly preserve evidence, investigate the incident in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries.

The McHugh Law Firm, P.C. represents accident victims throughout New York State to ensure that they receive the compensation they deserve. We are experienced in representing clients in most any type of motor vehicle accident, including rear end collisions, intersection accidents, alcohol related crashes, hit and run, uninsured and underinsured motorists, and accidents involving commercial vehicles. Our firm has the resources and experience to handle accidents resulting in death or catastrophic disabilities.

When you hire our office to represent you, our office will take over the investigation of your case so that you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries. - Top

Hit and Run Accidents
Unfortunately, hit and run accidents are not uncommon. After a hit and run driver flees the accident scene, the unfortunate victim is responsible for all of the expenses, as well as suffering the inconvenience of being without his or her car while it is being repaired. This is even more upsetting when injuries are suffered. However, a person may still be able to claim damages under the uninsured motorist coverage with his or her own insurance company. After a hit and run accident, it is very important to immediately contact two people: (1) the police in order to provide the insurance company with a report stating that there was a hit and run accident; and (2) an attorney to help get the victim the compensation that he or she deserves. - Top

Drunk Driving
While the criminal justice system is equipped to deal with the criminal aspects of a drunk driving accident, it usually fails to address the heavy financial burden that a death or serious injury has on innocent victims and families. If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident and suffered physical and emotional harm, the attorneys at the McHugh Law Firm, P.C. will aggressively represent you and your rights. - Top

Motorcycle Accidents
Accidents are often caused when drivers do not see motorcyclists or, worse, do not understand the necessary response time a motorcyclist needs to avoid an accident caused by another driver’s reckless move. The injuries suffered in a collision between a cyclist and an automobile can be far more serious then those suffered in a simple two car accident. Therefore, it is extremely important to make sure that an experienced attorney is on your side if you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving a motorcycle. Our attorneys are knowledgeable in the area of personal injury law and insurance litigation, and can help to ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries that is proportionate to the damage you have suffered. - Top

Boat Accidents
Recreational boating is a popular and fun summer activity in New York. However, injuries from boating accidents do occur either as a result of the waters being overcrowded, drunk driving, negligence, carelessness or inexperience. If you have sustained an injury because of someone else’s inexperience, negligence, or recklessness while operating a boat, our firm is here to help. - Top

Pedestrian Accidents
Unfortunately, in the rush to get where they are going, many people fail to give proper consideration for pedestrians who share the road. As a result, accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles are all too common. Our firm recognizes the serious injuries that can occur when such an accident takes place. Our law office will handle your claim quickly and efficiently so that you can receive the financial compensation that you are due. - Top

Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can cause serious injuries both because of the size and weight of commercial trucks as well as the hazardous cargo that some trucks transport. Drivers, passengers and pedestrians struck by semi-tractor trailers, 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks face catastrophic injuries.

Unfortunately, trucking-related injuries occur much too frequently and, in almost every case, the occupants of other vehicles suffer serious injuries or death.

If a truck has injured you or a loved one, you must protect your interests by immediately getting an experienced attorney involved to make sure you are protected and to ensure that you obtain the full monetary award that you are entitled to. - Top

Defective Products
"Product Liability" is a branch of the law that covers personal injuries and damages caused by defective products. When a product is made available for public consumption, the designer, manufacturer, supplier, and retailer have a legal responsibility to test the product and make sure that the product is free of any defects that may cause harm, injury, or death to the consumer. Unfortunately, people are nonetheless seriously injured or killed in accidents caused by defective products. If a person is seriously injured or killed by a defective product, the designer, manufacturer, supplier, and/or retailer may be held liable for damages.

Some commonly defective products include vehicles, childcare products, cribs, toys, construction equipment and cranes, medical devices, machinery and elevators, power tools and hand tools, hazardous chemicals, electronics, farm and garden equipment, and appliances.

If you are in need of an experienced and compassionate attorney, please contact our firm. Our firm works hard to get compensation for victims and to protect your rights as a consumer. - Top

Dog Bites/Injuries
Dog attacks represent some of the most gruesome personal injuries that are suffered, particularly where a child is involved (as is often the case). Dog bite injuries often result in disfigurement and scarring. In all animal attack cases, it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries. This is why an attorney should be involved immediately after the accident. Our firm understands the serious nature of these injuries and will focus on getting compensation for the pain that you or a loved one have suffered so that you can focus on recovering from the injuries. - Top

Construction & Demolition Accidents
Construction and demolition employees in the State of New York have the right to safe working conditions, proper training, and functional equipment. When a construction or demolition worker is physically injured or wrongfully killed while on the job, the negligent party may be held liable for damages. Injured workers may be legally entitled to seek damages for their pain, suffering, medical costs, rehabilitation, psychological distress, lost wages, financial hardship, and any other expenses that may arise from the injury or accident.

There are a number of hazards and dangers inherent in almost every construction or demolition site. Workplace injuries can result from one specific incident, or repeated activity or exposure. Typical workplace injuries involve negligence, falling objects, defective scaffolds and ladders, defective or malfunctioning equipment, exposure to hazardous or toxic materials, broken handrails or stairs, and slipping, tripping or falling.

Our attorneys are committed to getting compensation for injured construction and demolition workers. Let our office use its experience and knowledge of the law to help you or your loved ones obtain compensation for their injuries. - Top

Children's Injuries
Parents understand that the most important thing in life is to have healthy and happy children. Unfortunately, sometimes children are injured due to someone else’s failure to act reasonably, prudently, or responsibly. Whether your child was injured at school, day care, the home of a neighbor, or elsewhere, our attorneys can help you to evaluate your child’s case and to represent your child’s best interests. - Top

Wrongful Death
Perhaps the most horrific scenario any of us can imagine is the loss of a family member or loved one due to another person’s negligence, recklessness, or indifference. Compounding the loss is the frustration of dealing with the maze of legal red tape that surrounds the surviving family and spouse. Our firm can help during this most difficult and painful time by handling legal questions of liability for you and by protecting your best interests. - Top

Workplace Injuries
All employees in the State of New York have the right to safe working conditions, proper training, and functional equipment. Furthermore, employers have a legal obligation to maintain a safe work environment for their employees, and implement proper safety regulations and protocol. When an employee is physically or psychologically injured, or wrongfully killed while on the job, the negligent party may be held liable for damages. Injured employees may be entitled to seek damages for their pain, suffering, medical costs, rehabilitation, psychological distress, lost wages, financial hardship, and any other expenses that may arise after the injury or accident.

If you have been injured in a workplace accident, it is important to contact our office so that we may use our knowledge of the law to help you obtain compensation for your injuries. Our office is committed to protecting your rights and aggressively fighting on behalf of your best interest. - Top

Medical Malpractice
When a patient dies or sustains injury due to negligent medical care, the physician, hospital or other health care provider may be held liable under New York’s medical malpractice laws. Under these laws, all health care professionals have a legal and ethical obligation to provide safe and responsible treatment and care to their patients. In the event that a health care provider’s negligent or reckless actions cause the death or serious injury of a patient, the patient and/or his or her family can sue for damages.

Medical malpractice laws and standards apply to all health care providers, including doctors, surgeons, nurses, midwives, dentists, psychiatrists, psychologists, chiropractors, podiatrists, hospitals and nursing homes. Medical malpractice can take many different forms, such as:

• Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose illnesses or conditions
• Not properly treating an injury or a condition
• Emergency Room negligence
• Hospital acquired infections
• Bed-sores (decubitus ulcers)
• Uncontrolled hemorrhage during or after surgery
• Anesthesia errors

Medical Malpractice is a complex area of the law that should be handled by a knowledgeable and experienced attorney. Our firm is familiar with the legal and medical aspects necessary to present your best possible case. - Top

Toxic and Hazardous Substances
Our firm provides legal assistance for individuals exposed to toxic substances in their homes, workplaces and communities. These substances can include lead, radiation or other hazardous substances. If you have been injured due to a toxic or hazardous substance, our attorneys will provide you with aggressive legal representation. - Top

Toxic Mold
Mold is a natural occurrence, but there are some very dangerous molds that can significantly affect health. Stachybotrys chartarum is a form of toxic mold, also known as black mold, which is so dangerous that homeowners have filed lawsuits against their insurance companies, homebuilders, or other responsible persons or entities for the health effects suffered because of it. Toxic molds produce chemicals that can cause adverse health effects such as rashes, seizures, respiratory problems, unusual bleeding and severe fatigue.

If you suspect toxic mold is present in your home, our attorneys will guide you through the steps that need to be taken in order to bring a successful claim against those who were responsible for enabling the mold condition to occur. - Top

Contact us about your legal matter today!