Laceration Injury Lawyers

Cuts and lacerations can occur for a variety of reasons, from workplace accidents to vehicle collisions, and dog bites. In severe cases, treatments can require lengthy hospital stays and victims may be left with permanent scarring. The laceration attorneys at Sobo & Sobo have over 50 years of experience winning settlements for victims across New York, New Jersey and Chicago, IL. Call 855-468-7626 or contact a laceration attorney online to schedule a free consultation and explore the value of your case. 

Injuries Covered in Laceration Injury Lawsuits

Lacerations occur when the body’s soft tissue is slashed or torn open. Minor lacerations can be treatable in a home environment. However, deep lacerations can cause serious pain and damage to tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Deep lacerations require medical attention sooner rather than later to best prevent infection. Common types of laceration accidents victims seek compensation for include: 

• Cut lacerations are the most common type of lacerations suffered in car accidents. Cut lacerations occur when a sharp object, such as glass or metal, cuts through the skin.
• Split lacerations are some of the most excruciating and severe injuries, occurring when two object crush the same area of the body. The nature of the compression causes the skin and muscle tissues to tear open.
• Grinding compression lacerations occur when an object grazes the skin, causing it to raise and peel back. The tissue underneath tears as the epidermis is badly compromised.
• Overstretching injuries occur when an object strikes the skin at an angle. The object pushes or pulls the skin upon impact until it tears. Over-stretching typically results in deep cuts that expose multiple layers of tissue.

Examples of Negligence in Laceration Lawsuits

Establishing responsibility for an accident that results in lacerations and scarring depends on the circumstances surrounding the incident. It’s imperative that all possible evidence is gathered for these types of claims. Working with an experienced attorney can ensure all necessary information is collected to establish liability and strengthen a claim against a party to prove:

• The defendant owed the victim a duty of care
• The defendant was negligent in their duty of care
• The defendant’s actions resulted in the victim suffering a personal injury 

Scenarios where negligence is often involved in laceration accidents include:

Workplace Accidents

Millions of workers suffer preventable workplace injuries every year. Statistics differ from study to study, but lacerations and cuts often rank as the second or third most frequent workplace injury. Approximately 30% of nonfatal workplace injuries involve cuts or lacerations. Laceration injuries that frequently occur in the workplace most commonly involve the following hazards/causes:

• Lack of established safety procedures
• Improper training
• Failure to wear cut resistant gloves or wearing improper gloves for the task
• Using an improper tool for a task or using a tool improperly
• Tools in poor condition (cracked or broken handle, dull blade, slippery from exposure to a substance, etc.)
• Missing or improperly adjusted guarding while using a tool
• Poor lighting or reduced visibility

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, an employer/business has a duty of care to keep all employees safe in the workplace. This includes enforcing federally regulated safety standards and providing any necessary safety equipment to each employee. When employers fail to comply, and laceration accidents  Failing to adhere to these regulations can result in a court ruling they were negligent in their duty of care. 

New York State lawfully requires employers to purchase workers’ compensation insurance to provide payment for medical expenses, rehabilitation, and partial wage reimbursement if a person suffers an injury in the scope of employment. All workers are eligible to apply for this form of compensation whether or not their own negligence contributed to the accident.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Lacerations are common injuries in auto accidents due to shards of debris being flung around during a collision. Anyone using a public road has a duty to avoid injuring other road users where feasibly possible. When someone suffers lacerations from involvement in a motor vehicle accident, they may be able to claim compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced. If a driver or pedestrian fails to comply with traffic laws and causes an accident, it is likely that a court will hold them liable for any resulting laceration injuries.

Dog Bite Accidents

Dog bites can cause severe to permanent laceration injuries. For example, in New York, owners of previously adjudicated dangerous dogs are liable for victim medical and veterinary costs. For any other damages, the victim must prove that the dog had a dangerous tendency to fight people, and the owner was aware of their dog’s violent nature. If a dog owner made no effort to warn the victim, or take any steps to prevent its aggression, the defendant is likely to be found guilty for any resulting laceration injuries.

Costs Covered by Laceration Settlements

Laceration injury cases vary widely in value, and the best way to build the strongest claim for maximum compensation is to seek the help of quality legal counsel.

All personal injury claims are unique, and the amounts awarded are dependent on the circumstances surrounding the injury. No two laceration injuries are the same when looking from a legal settlement valuation standpoint. There are significant factors that go into determining settlements in these injury claims:

• Age: Compensation values are typically greater the younger a person is
• Permanency: A permanent scar or debilitation from the laceration will have greater value than a wound that heals without scarring
• Location: The more visible the laceration/scar, the greater the value of the claim will be 
• Severity: The more severe the injury, the greater the claim value 

For example, a small facial laceration on a child typically holds greater value than a small arm laceration on an adult.

Values that can be expected laceration injury compensation include:

• All past, present, and future medical expenses related to the injury
• Damages for physical and mental pain and suffering
• Mental anguish or trauma
• Costs for loss of income, both past and future if the victim loss the ability to work

Contact a Laceration Injury Attorney Near You

Victims can contact a laceration injury attorney to discuss their case in a free consultation by calling 855-468-7626, or by reaching out online. Sobo & Sobo has over 50 years of winning for clients with personal injury, auto accident, and workplace accident lawsuits. Contact them today for a free consultation and more information about how they may help.