Gadsden Personal Injury Lawyers

Advocating for the people of Etowah County, Alabama

With the motto “The City of Champions,” Gadsden, Alabama is a great city located right on the Coosa River. It’s home to many attractions, museums, marinas, golf, and a sports complex. Whether you live here, or are just visiting – welcome!

No matter how beautiful, clean, or safe your community is, unfortunately accidents can still happen. Sometimes accidents are just accidents, but often people are injured due to the carelessness or negligence of others. This is where the Gadsden personal injury attorneys at Mezrano Law Firm come in. We have 40 years of combined experience serving the people of Alabama with their legal needs, and we’re ready to help you, too.

The types of injury cases we handle

Our attorneys handle a variety of different personal injury cases here in Gadsden. When you or a loved one is injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation. We’re pleased to represent you in any type of the following:

  • Car accidents – One of the most common causes of both mild and severe injuries, auto accidents typically happen due to someone else’s careless judgment. Your attorney can help prove fault.
  • Truck accidents – Accidents with big rigs tend to be catastrophic for smaller vehicles due to the sheer size difference. Many times, these accidents can be due to truck driver error.
  • Motorcycle accidents – Unfortunately, bikers face many hazards when riding local roads and highways. Careless drivers can cause accidents and injuries, as can unsafe road conditions.
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – TBIs can be caused by bumps, jolts, or penetrating injuries to the head. Brain injuries can be life-altering physical and psychological injuries, requiring extensive treatment.
  • Premises liability – These claims are injuries suffered in accidents on someone else’s property, like slip and falls, or cases of insufficient security. Property owners and business owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe for visitors.
  • Product liability – Product and drug manufacturers are responsible for the safety of their consumers above everything else. If consumers or patients use the products as instructed and suffer injury or harm, the manufacturer can be liable.
  • Nursing home abuse – It’s never an easy decision to move a loved one to a nursing home. It’s almost impossible to believe your loved one could be being neglected or abused. Discover the signs and symptoms.
  • Medical malpractice – When you suffer injury due to improper medical care, you may have a malpractice claim. Your attorney works with you to prove that your medical professional failed to provide competent medical care.
  • Workers’ compensation – After an injury on the job, you have certain rights. However, your employer may pressure you, or your claim may be denied. It’s always wise to speak to an experienced workers’ comp attorney.
  • Social Security disability (SSD) – If you suffer from a disability that affects your ability to work, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. We can help with SSD applications and SSD appeals.

Our Gadsden attorneys are completely compassionate toward our injury clients. We understand the difficulties of trying to heal and stay on top of bills. That’s why we fight for our clients and work to secure them the highest compensation possible for their injuries – and hold the guilty parties responsible for their negligence.

What is the statute of limitations for injury claims in Alabama?

According to Alabama Code § 6-2, the majority of personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date the injury happened. However, in some cases, the statute of limitations clock doesn’t start running until the cause of the injury or diagnosis is discovered (or should have been discovered through reasonable diligence).

For minors, the personal injury statute of limitations begins to run on his or her nineteenth birthday.

Time limits for medical malpractice claims

With medical malpractice claims, the statute of limitations runs a little differently. Again, the timeline is two years – but, if the two years have passed, the plaintiff has six months from the date of discovery (or the date it should have been discovered) to file a lawsuit. Alabama, however, like a number of states, does have what’s called a “statute of repose.” A statute of repose is a hard deadline to making a malpractice claim, regardless of when it’s discovered. In Alabama, it’s four years.

There’s one exception to the malpractice statute of repose – minors and children. Malpractice claims involving minors must be filed within four years of the cause of action or by the victim’s eighth birthday, whichever is later.

If any of this sounds complicated or confusing, the attorneys here at Mezrano Law Firm are happy to explain what applies to your particular situation.

What damages can I claim in a Gadsden personal injury case?

The goal of a personal injury case is to make a victim “whole” again – help him or her heal physically, emotionally, and financially. We do this by seeking reimbursement on your behalf for the losses and damages resulting from your accident.

In Alabama, there are typically three types of damages available in a personal injury case:

  • Economic damages. These types of monetary damages include reimbursement for things like lost wages, medical bills, lost earning capacity, physical therapy, rehabilitation, disability accommodations, and any other losses or damages that can be financially quantified.
  • Non-economic damages. On the other side of the coin, non-financial damages provide compensation for non-tangible losses. These can include issues like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and psychological or emotional distress.
  • Punitive damages. Unlike the previous two (known as compensatory damages), punitive damages are reserved for particularly severe cases of negligence are meant as a way to both punish the guilty party and deter any future careless behavior. In Alabama, punitive damages may not exceed three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded, or $500,000, whichever is higher.

How much is my personal injury case worth?

There is no way to determine how much your case is worth from an initial consultation. Why? Because a catastrophic injury case will develop over time. Your injuries could prove long-lasting or even permanent, and you may end up needing more medical care than you thought. Because of that, your case may actually be worth more than you thought at the initial consultation.

What you need to know about contributory negligence

Every state in the country has different laws when it comes to civil law and negligence. It’s important to remember that Alabama is a contributory negligence state. What does this mean for you, as the victim of an accident?

Unfortunately, contributory negligence can prevent someone from recovering compensation for a claim if they’re found at all responsible for their damages. This could mean that if the other party was 95% responsible for the accident and you were only 5% responsible, you cannot recover any compensation. If you’re unsure about whether or not filing a claim is in your best interest, talk to our attorneys for guidance.

Why do I need a personal injury lawyer?

If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, you may have lots of questions. When you’re dealing with medical bills and insurance companies, it’s always a wise idea to consult with an attorney to protect your rights to compensation.

In addition to representing your case so you can take the time to heal from your injuries, your legal team goes to work for you, determining a strategy and the best course to pursue for your specific case. Your attorneys collect evidence and interview witnesses, represent you to and negotiate with the insurance companies, file important paperwork and court documents, calculate your losses suffered, provide legal guidance, and act in your best interests.

At Mezrano Law Firm, we’re ready to fight for you when it counts.

Representing the people of Gadsden with integrity

With three locations across Alabama, we’re pleased to serve Gadsden and Etowah County. Following is some important information if you’re involved in a local accident or emergency.

Important local phone numbers

(For immediate police, fire, and medical emergencies, dial 911.)

Information for local hospitals

Important local government offices and information

Dedicated Etowah County personal injury lawyers

The Gadsden personal injury attorneys at Mezrano Law Firm are proud to serve the people of Alabama. Our decades of combined experience give our clients the edge when they need it most. Contact us today for honest, experienced representation and find out how we can help you. Call us at 205-206-6300 or fill out our contact form.