West Virginia Personal Injury Attorney

Serving Charleston & West Virginia – (304) 362-7088

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, it can be overwhelming to face rising medical costs, missed wages, and a host of financial and legal uncertainties. At Shaffer & Shaffer PLLC, we have served individuals and families since 1909. Our West Virginia personal injury lawyers bring decades of proven, award-winning experience and insight to help our clients effectively deal with insurance companies and all the legal challenges that lie ahead.

What Is a Personal Injury?

A personal injury is any physical or psychological harm that results from someone else's negligence. It can include injuries sustained in car accidents, slip and fall incidents, medical malpractice, defective products, and other traumatic events. In the state of West Virginia, if you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, a West Virginia injury lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve for your losses.

What Is Considered a Personal Injury?

Suffering a personal injury due to someone else's negligence can have devastating consequences. From physical pain and suffering to costly medical bills and lost wages, the financial burden of an accident caused by another’s carelessness can be overwhelming. Some of the most common personal injuries include, but are not limited to:

• Traumatic Brain Injury: This type of injury results from an impact to the head causing damage to the brain, resulting in long-term physical and mental impairments that can limit a person’s ability to perform daily activities.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: An injury to the spinal cord is one of the most severe types of personal injuries and can lead to paralysis, loss of feeling in certain parts of the body, or difficulty with coordination and movement.
• Broken Bones/Fractures: If someone falls due to unsafe conditions caused by another party's negligence, they may suffer broken bones and fractures, which often require treatments such as surgery, casts, or braces for healing time.
• Lacerations/Scarring/Burns: These types of injuries are often caused by accidents involving sharp objects or contact with hot substances such as boiling water or fire. These encounters can leave permanent scarring on skin tissue. Such scarring can cause emotional distress for victims, who may feel self-conscious about their appearance after recovering from their injuries. Some scars may even prevent normal movement or require painful rehab to properly heal.
• Internal Organ Damage: When someone experiences violent force during an accident, it can lead to internal organ damage. Blunt force trauma can cause injuries that may not be visible on the surface but may require medical treatment immediately.

Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in West Virginia?

A personal injury lawyer near you can help you navigate the complex legal process of filing an injury claim to receive just compensation for your losses. They have extensive knowledge in personal injury law and are experienced in understanding the nuances of each case to determine the best course of action for getting the most favorable outcome. A knowledgeable lawyer can fight for your rights and ensure you receive the maximum amount of damages possible for your losses.

Do Personal Injury Lawyers Go to Court?

Personal injury lawyers are prepared to go to court if necessary. While their primary goal is to negotiate a fair settlement for you outside of court, there are situations where an agreement can’t be reached with the opposing party or insurance company. In these cases, a personal injury lawyer is fully equipped to take the matter to court and represent your interests.

These legal professionals have the expertise to build a strong case, gather evidence, and present compelling arguments to seek the compensation their clients deserve. Going to court is not the first choice, but rather a last resort when all other attempts at reaching a reasonable settlement have been exhausted. The willingness and capability of personal injury lawyers to go to court ensure that you have the best chance of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Claim?

Every state has its own statute of limitations. In West Virginia, personal injury lawsuits have a time limit of 2 years from the date of injury. This means that once this time period passes, then a court will likely refuse to hear your case if you take your claim to court.

Don't forget that personal injury claims take time to prepare and investigate, so get started as soon as possible before time runs out.

What Sets Our Personal Injury Firm Apart?

• Serving West Virginia Since 1909
• Multi-Million Dollar Recoveries
• No Legal Fees Unless We Win
• Included in Super Lawyers® (Top 5% of WV Attorneys)

We have offices in Madison and Charleston, but if you can’t make it out to us, we can travel out to your home, hospital, or wherever else works for you. It also costs nothing to see if we can be of service to you. We offer a free consultation to review your legal options, and if you hire us, there will be no upfront or out-of-pocket fees. We only get paid if you do. We have recovered millions of dollars for clients, helping them secure a measure of justice and find financial security after a serious accident.

A Legacy of Honesty & Integrity in Personal Injury Law

In our firm’s more than 100 years of history, clients have relied on us for straightforward advice, professional service, and dedication that gets results. We have also garnered the AV Preeminent® Rating from the legal community for exceptional ethical standards and legal talent. When you need a legal advocate you can trust, you can turn to Shaffer & Shaffer PLLC.

Our West Virginia personal injury lawyers take on cases including and not limited to:

• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Coal Mining & Industrial Accidents
• Workplace Injuries
• Premises Liability
• Social Security Disability
• Nursing Home Neglect & Injury
• Defective Products
• Wrongful Death

No case is too complex for our attorneys. We have the proven ability to handle injury and accident cases with sensitivity and determination, aggressively asserting our clients’ rights with insurance companies while guiding them through the complex legal process.

How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

The value of a personal injury case is determined by many factors, including:

• Cost of medical treatment and care, hospital bills, medication, etc.
• Amount of wages lost from having to miss work in the past and the future
• Whether you suffered permanent disabilities that prevent you from working
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage and the cost of replacing your vehicle

It would be impossible to tell a client how much a claim is worth without first reviewing the unique circumstances. We encourage you to find out what your case is truly worth and to see how we can help you recover the full compensation you are owed. Contact our West Virginia personal injury attorneys to discuss your injuries and learn more about filing a claim.