Personal Injury

As soon as your accident is reported, the opposing insurance company starts building their case against you – defending their insured and their financial interests. The insurance adjuster wants you to accept a small settlement, or worse, deny your claim entirely. JGL auto accident attorneys strive to aggressively protect the interests of you, the personal injury victim, as well as gather all the evidence to support your loss and recovery as well as the liability of the other party. It is critical that you contact a JGL auto accident attorney right away. Do not discuss your case or injuries with anyone until such time as legal counsel can be acquired.

If you or a loved one has been hurt or injured on a commercial airline or private plane flight, due to turbulence or a plane crash, JGL lawyers can assist you in your claim and recovery. It is critical that you obtain counsel immediately to protect your rights and those of your loved ones.

Construction accidents, most commonly include falls, struck-by incidents, caught-between accidents, and electrocutions. You must acquire legal representation quickly to preserve evidence and enhance your likelihood of a successful recovery. As in all personal injury accidents, the insurance carriers will try to minimize the extent of your injuries, while your attorneys will preserve evidence, substantiate injuries and loss, and advocate for your best settlement or award.

Defective and dangerous products can cause burns, lacerations, head and brain injuries, poisoning, broken bones, and emotional trauma. You must act immediately to preserve evidence and protect your rights. The cost of medical treatment, lost wages, and emotional distress must be proven and you are best served by engaging the services of an experienced products liability attorney at your first opportunity. As a personal injury victim, you will be encouraged to seek and continue treatment to substantiate your loss.

When you are bitten by someone else’s dog, and before you make a decision to pursue legal action, you should be evaluated and treated by a physician. Without documentation of your injury, any legal claim will be unsuccessful. If your injuries warrant medical attention you must act swiftly to pursue treatment and obtain legal representation.JGL personal injury attorneys are well-versed in this process and prepared to handle your claim.

At Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, we represent homeowners, first responders, and people injured by fires and explosions in Maryland, Washington, DC, and throughout the country. Fires and explosions are devastating events. They can cause profound loss and affect homes, property, and lives. At JGL, our attorneys are skilled and experienced at investigating the cause and origin of fires and explosions, determining who was at fault in causing these events, and using the litigation process to help restore the losses caused by these disasters.

Use of heavy equipment, such as farming, road building, and construction equipment can lead to serious injuries including broken bones, amputation, paralysis, and other life-changing consequences. JGL personal injury attorneys are experienced in all aspects of this type of accident and the resulting injuries. Of course, your first concern should be seeking immediate medical attention, but when that danger has subsided, seek legal counsel from an attorney who is well-versed in heavy machinery accidents.

Injured on a cruise ship or a boat? There are some special rules relating to Maritime law that apply.  Not all personal injury attorneys are experienced in this area. In the instance of maritime and boating accidents, many aspects are similar to other injuries – document, treat, and continue to treat while seeking the services of an experienced maritime and boating accident attorney.

If you are injured due to negligent security, you must immediately document the incident by taking photographs, identifying and documenting witnesses, and filing any appropriate incident reports. Was there adequate lighting where you were injured? Were there cameras that might have recorded the incident? Was there (or should there have been) live security personnel on the premises? Once retained with JGL, your attorneys can research to see if there is a history of similar incidents at the place of your injury, or any reported hazards that have not yet been addressed, which can help establish liability.  As with all injuries, your loss must be documented by a physician or clinic, and any necessary treatment must be performed and continued while you seek the services of a well-qualified attorney.

When you suspect that police have used excessive force and brutality in a police incident, thorough documentation, including names and contact information of witnesses, photographs, and video must be obtained as soon as possible. You must obtain the advice and services of an attorney familiar with this area of law, who can further document your incident and protect your rights under the law. Also, your injuries should be documented and treated, and treatment continued.

Unfortunately, there are times when a professional you trust is negligent. Anytime a professional fails to perform their professional duty, it can cause harm or financial loss to you,  the client. Since you relied on the professional expertise and guidance of your accountant, attorney, insurance broker, or other professional you may have grounds to file a claim for compensation to recover damages from professional negligence. Keep records, document the loss and damages, and seek the help of a qualified professional negligence attorney.

If you are injured as a result of a slip-and-fall on a sidewalk, floor, or stairway, you should immediately contact an experienced slip-and-fall attorney to assess the situation. And follow this advice – 

• Record the names and contact information of any witnesses
• Take photographs – particularly document visible conditions that would establish that there has been negligence of any sort by the “owner” of the surface upon which you fell
• Seek medical attention for any injuries. Any financial award will be predicated upon the extent of your injuries, the cost of your off-work situation – and whether there is demonstrable evidence that there was negligence. Thus, it is critically important that you follow this advice.

Toxic chemicals in the air, soil, or water have often proven to be dangerous and harmful. If you suspect that a dangerous toxic chemical is in your environment and causing injury to you or your loved ones, you should seek immediate medical attention and legal counsel.

Because semi trucks are so large and heavy, many injuries incurred in such accidents are life-threatening. If you suffered an injury or have lost a loved one in an accident involving a truck or commercial van, schedule a free consultation with our personal injury team.

If you or your children suffer injury or loss due to an unsafe condition on accessible property, you may be entitled to a recovery of medical bills, lost wages, and other related expenses. Some possible unsafe property conditions occur on construction sites, parking lots, stairways, swimming pools, and other places. All such hazards should be clearly marked and inaccessible to the casual passersby.

If you are injured at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Many employers minimize or deny legitimate claims. Navigating the system is difficult. JGL workers’ compensation attorneys know the procedural rules and deadlines that impact the denial of benefits. Our goal is to put you back on the path to independence after your workplace injury.

Any of the accidents or injuries discussed above may unfortunately result in a wrongful death claim should a fatality occur as a result. The loss of a loved one can never be reversed, but if the injury and eventual fatality were caused by someone else, an additional cause of action could result. Consult an experienced Maryland or Washington DC wrongful death attorney for guidance.