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Defense Strategies in Personal Injury Cases: How Defendants Strike Back

Posted by Bautista Leroy | Mar 12, 2022 | 0 Comments

how defendants strike back

Personal injury cases vary significantly and the defense strategies employed can depend heavily on each specific instance. There are various defenses defendants can employ against compensation claims.

Comparative negligence is an often used defense by defendants when their injuries were caused by plaintiff negligence; it aims to limit their liability proportionally according to each level of fault on either side.

Assumption of Risk. One common defense used against injury claims is accepting and knowing about risks involved with activities that cause injuries. In such a scenario, the plaintiff may not recover damages as they would voluntarily have taken part in them without knowing them and the risk associated with participating.

Note that the statute of limitations also serves as a deterrence measure, setting forth an immovable deadline for filing suits after injuries have occurred; failure to file within this window could render your claim invalid and bar any recovery by you as the victim.

Other common defenses to personal injury claims may include sovereign immunity, lack of duty, and causation issues as possible options to reduce or waive responsibility from defendants in these claims.

Comparative fault is a defense in personal injury suits, allowing defendants to argue negligence caused plaintiffs' injuries. In some states, damages can be reduced proportionately based on the plaintiff's negligence, such as 20% at fault resulting in reduced damages of that size.

Assumption is a defense in personal injury claims involving activities with inherent risks, such as skydiving. Participants waive their right to sue if injuries occur, relying on accepting risks willingly and being accountable for their actions.

Another important defense is the statute of limitations. This legal deadline sets forth how quickly an injured party should file suit after suffering harm; failing which their claim could be barred and damages not recovered by them. It aims to ensure timely filings by plaintiffs while safeguarding evidence and minimizing surprises for defendants.

Lack of causation is another defense available to defendants when asserting their actions were not the cause of the plaintiff's injuries, or claim no legal duty towards them; sovereign immunity also provides some immunity in certain instances.

Plaintiffs and defendants both need to understand these defenses when filing personal injury claims, to know any obstacles in their path towards receiving compensation. An experienced lawyer can guide both parties through these complexities to find an optimal course forward.

Note that these defenses depend on the circumstances and laws in each jurisdiction where your case will take place. Furthermore, defendants can raise additional defenses depending on what transpires during each case.

As previously outlined, defendants can fight back against plaintiff claims with various defense strategies that vary based on case facts and local jurisdiction laws. Both plaintiffs and defendants must be familiar with these defensive options when engaging in personal injury litigation.

For inquiries related to accident laws, or to hire an accident/injury attorney in Kansas City, contact the legal professionals of Bautista LeRoy LLC by dialing these numbers 816-221-0382 or by emailing them at [email protected]. Serving Kansas City, MO and KS as well as surrounding areas of Benton County and St. Louis.

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