If you were injured in an accident, the most important thing to focus on is your health. As such, your foremost concern should be seeking treatment for any injuries. After that, it is smart to contact an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you preserve any evidence relating to claims arising out of your accident and ensure that you do not inadvertently waive the right to recover damages.

In most personal injury cases, the injured party, or plaintiff, will allege that the person that caused their injuries, known as the defendant, was negligent. In Alabama, negligence is made up of four parts, and a plaintiff must establish each part to establish liability, which is an essential element of winning a personal injury case. The first part, duty, is an obligation imposed on the defendant to act a certain way. The duty may arise out of a law or may be a responsibility to act with reasonable care under the circumstances. The second part of negligence is a breach of the duty owed. The third and fourth parts are damages and causation. In other words, the plaintiff must prove that they suffered measurable losses because of the defendant’s breach.

Maritime law, or admiralty law, is a combination of international and United States law that covers all injuries and torts that occur on navigable waters, which includes not only oceans but also lakes, rivers, and any other public body of water. Maritime law establishes the rights of crew members, ship caption’s obligations to their crew and passengers, and other important legal issues.

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, typically referred to as the Jones Act, establishes the legal structure for the United States Merchant Marines. Among other things, it protects the rights of mariners who are hurt at sea since they do not qualify for workers’ compensation benefits under maritime law. Specifically, it allows private mariners that are involved in the import or export of goods, mostly in a commercial setting, to pursue claims against their employers if they are injured while working, as long as they meet certain requirements.

Alabama applies a pure contributory negligence rule, which means that if the plaintiff is deemed at all at fault for the incident that caused their harm, they cannot recover compensation.

If you prevail in a personal injury lawsuit, you may be awarded damages for the economic losses you suffered, such as the cost of medical treatment you needed for your injuries or will need in the future and lost wages. You may also be able to recover damages for the suffering, pain, and mental trauma caused by your harm. It is important to note, though, that in most cases, personal injury claims must be pursued within two years of the date of harm.