The novel COVID-19 pandemic has generated many legal questions from victims and their families. Law firms around the world have received phone calls from potential clients describing possible claims connected to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic. While you may imagine an injury such as a broken bone when you think of filing a personal injury lawsuit, illnesses – including COVID-19 – could also give rise to personal injury claims in Phoenix, Arizona. Find out if you have grounds for a personal injury claim related to COVID-19 today by talking to a Phoenix personal injury attorney.
Medical Malpractice
Most hospitals, physicians and health care workers are doing their best to provide outstanding patient care in the face of this unprecedented global pandemic. Most are succeeding. Some health care providers, however, are intentionally or negligently letting their standards of patient care slip. They may be understaffed, overworked or lacking in the necessary supplies to keep their patients safe. Medical malpractice in the time of coronavirus could pose an extreme exposure risk to both patients and hospital staff members. Medical malpractice at some health care centers in Arizona may be responsible for the spread of the virus.
COVID-19 From Work
Many employers in Arizona have forced their employees to return to work despite an ongoing risk of exposure to COVID-19. Furthermore, not all companies are adhering to federal and state pandemic safety guidelines. If your employer failed to keep you reasonably safe from exposure to COVID-19 and this resulted in your serious illness, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the company. You could also be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits instead of or in addition to a civil lawsuit, depending on the circumstances.
Nursing Home Negligence
Nursing homes have been some of the locations hit the hardest during the coronavirus pandemic. A lack of appropriate safety precautions at these facilities exposed many vulnerable nursing home residents to the virus. Other victims experienced traumatic acts of wrongdoing such as nursing home neglect and abuse while quarantined at facilities and forbidden to see their loved ones for months on end. If your loved one suffered at the hands of a negligent or criminal nursing home staff member during the pandemic, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Cruise Ship Liability
In the early months of COVID-19, many cruise ship companies continued to run their cruises despite warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to shut them down. As a result, hundreds of cruise line passengers were negligently exposed to the virus. If a cruise line or another negligent company put its bottom line over your health and safety, that company could be liable for your damages associated with a case of COVID-19.
Wrongful Death Claim for a Loved One
COVID-19 will go down in history as one of the deadliest viruses the world has ever seen. The pandemic is still ongoing as of September 2020, yet the most recent death toll has surpassed 170,000 in the US. Tragically, many of these deaths might have been preventable with due care. If you believe someone else’s negligence or recklessness led to the case of COVID-19 that took the life of a loved one, talk to a wrongful death lawyer about bringing a claim in Phoenix. The at-fault party may owe your family compensation for funeral and burial costs, lost earnings, mental anguish, and more.
Speak to a Personal Injury Lawyer
The pandemic has changed life as we know it in many ways. One example is the courts in Arizona altering how they process personal injury cases. If you or a loved one contracted COVID-19 because of someone else’s negligence, contact Begam Marks & Traulsen, P.A. for a free consultation. Our Phoenix personal injury lawyers are taking special precautions to keep clients safe during the pandemic, including conducting client intake 100% remotely. We can answer your COVID-19-related questions, provide legal advice and guide you through the new personal injury claim process in Phoenix.