Washington, D.C. Personal Injury Lawyer
Attorneys Asserting the Rights of Injured Individuals in Washington, D.C.
As the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. is a major metropolitan area with robust commercial, residential, and political centers. It is also home to several world-renowned historical landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall, and the Washington Monument. Well over 600,000 people live in the area, many of whom serve in the wide variety of governmental jobs at federal agencies and offices. If you or someone you know has been hurt in Washington, D.C. because someone else acted carelessly, the injury lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers can help you assert your rights.
Establishing Liability in a Negligence Action
A personal injury claim seeking compensation for damages requires a plaintiff to prove that the defendant was negligent, which involves four separate elements. To establish the first element, duty, the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed him or her a particular duty of care. In general, this obligation requires everyone to act with the same ordinary care and skill that a reasonably prudent person would use in the same or similar situation. The duty of care can vary depending on the type of accident involved, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, or pharmacy errors and prescription misfills.
The second element of negligence requires a plaintiff to demonstrate that the defendant failed to adhere to the duty of care. In the context of a medical malpractice case, for example, a doctor may breach the duty of care by failing to prescribe the appropriate treatment, administering the incorrect medicines, or failing to diagnose a patient’s condition.
The third element of negligence is called causation. To establish causation, a plaintiff must show that he or she would not have suffered an injury but for the defendant’s negligence and that the accident was foreseeable. Lastly, a victim must provide evidence of the damages that he or she has suffered. This can include both physical injuries and financial expenses incurred as a result of the accident, as well as more subjective forms of harm. Common categories of damages that may be available to a plaintiff typically include medical expenses, physical therapy, long-term medical care, property damage, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Unfortunately, some severe accidents result in a victim’s tragic loss of life. In this situation, Maryland law allows close surviving family members to bring a claim for wrongful death. This type of claim seeks to compensate the grieving family members for the loss of their loved one’s support, companionship, and love.
Enlist an Experienced Washington, D.C. Lawyer to Pursue an Accident Claim
At Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, we have over 20 years of experience helping people in the Washington, D.C. area seek the compensation they deserve after a car accident or another painful event. Our attorneys understand that the legal process can pose a complicated and overwhelming challenge, particularly when the victim is recovering from a severe injury. Our dedicated team of professionals approaches each case with compassion and zealous advocacy. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation, so there is no risk in speaking with us about your situation. Call (800) 654-1949 today or contact us online to set up a meeting.