Tamika Strickland, Waldorf, Maryland:

"Thank you for all of your help in our situation. I am most thankful for your honesty and your making us feel like you were always having our best interests in mind"

What financial compensation am I entitled to in a personal injury claim?

Personal Injury victims are entitled to recover monetary damages for all losses and expenses they incur as a result of an accident. The damages may include:

• Medical bills
• Lost Wages (including overtime)
• Pain & Suffering
• Physical Disability
• Disfigurement
• Permanent Scars
• Emotional Trauma
• Mental Anguish
• Loss of Enjoyment
• Loss of Love & Affection
• Embarrassment
• Mental Disability
• Property Damage

What if the accident is partly my fault, do I still have a claim?

Even if an accident or injury was partially your fault, you still may have a claim based on the concept of Comparative Negligence or Contributory Negligence. The term "Contributory Negligence" is used to describe the actions of an injured person who may have contributed to their own injuries. For example, a person who ignores a "Caution - Wet Floor" sign and slips and falls in the supermarket may be found to have been careless and at fault for any injuries sustained. "Contributory Negligence" can prevent a person from collecting any monies to compensate for injuries suffered, even if that person's carelessness was minor.

The term "Comparative Negligence" means that the fault of all parties involved is compared, and the amount of the recovery for damages sustained by the injured victim is reduced by the percentage of his or her own fault. In this way, each person is held accountable for the amount of damages that they caused.