Providence Personal Injury Lawyer

Rhode Island and Massachusetts Attorney Advocating for the Rights of Victims

Many types of accidents caused by another party’s carelessness may result in a serious injury or even the death of a victim. However, injured people have certain legal rights and options when pursuing proper compensation in the aftermath. Rhode Island personal injury lawyer David Tapalian at Tapalian Law represents victims in their legal endeavors, seeking the full extent of financial support necessary to deal with the harm that they have suffered. With over 20 years of experience handling personal injury claims, David Tapalian can assist people who need a car accident attorney or representation in another type of personal injury claim in Rhode Island or Massachusetts. He also can help you pursue benefits through the workers’ compensation or Social Security Disability systems.

Car Accidents and Other Motor Vehicle Collisions

Car accidents are among the most common sources of serious injuries nationwide. As reliance on cell phones, navigation systems, and other distracting devices increases, so does the potential for harm. At other times, accidents may result from intoxicated drivers, aggressive drivers, or others who are not exercising care behind the wheel. When any of these situations causes a crash, victims may recover damages by pursuing a personal injury claim based on negligence.

Negligence is present when a driver breaches their duty to act as a reasonable and prudent person would act under the circumstances. This duty of care is owed not only to other motorists but also to people like motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. A plaintiff must also establish a causal link between the defendant’s negligent actions and their injuries. Following a serious car accident, insurance companies and other involved parties are acting in their own interests when working toward a resolution. Making sure that you have a knowledgeable Rhode Island personal injury attorney who can do the same for you is important as you focus on recovering from a crash.

Truck Accidents

From tractor-trailers to freight-liners, trucks are far more substantial and dangerous than a commercial car on the road. In addition to hauling a heavy load, some drivers are ill-equipped to operate such large, complex vehicles and the freight that they carry. Even worse, sometimes employers fail to meet the standards for safe truck operation. Some employers overload trucks or do not regularly have their vehicles inspected, which can lead to a catastrophic accident.

If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation from either the truck driver or from the company that he/she works for. Collisions involving trucks vary widely from regular automobile accidents. In addition, holding the right party responsible for your injuries can be difficult because truck accidents typically involve drivers that work for big corporations with strong legal representation. If you find yourself in a situation where you are up against a big company, our legal team can aggressively fight for your rights to ensure you have the best chance at recovering your losses.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles are considered vehicles with the same rights as cars and trucks, and should be respected to the same degree. However, many drivers do not share the road responsibly with motorcyclists and Rhode Island personal injury lawyer David Tapalian has seen too many cases where a biker was run off the road or hit head-on by a careless driver. In addition, operating a motorcycle can be extremely dangerous because riders have far less protection than most other vehicles, thus injuries from a motorcycle accident can be far more severe. A motorcycle crash can cause devastating traumatic injuries that affect a person’s life forever. A reckless motorist needs to be held accountable for their negligent actions against you, and the personal injury experts at Tapalian Law can strengthen your claim to ensure you recover fair compensation.

Workers’ Compensation

If you have been hurt on the job, you are likely eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits under Rhode Island or Massachusetts law. These are awarded regardless of fault and are meant to cover medical expenses as well as some of your lost wages. The type of benefits that an injured worker will receive depends on whether their disability is permanent or temporary and whether it is total or partial. Sometimes, an employer or its insurer may offer a lump sum settlement instead of recurring weekly benefits. This may or may not be advisable in your situation, and you should consult a workers’ compensation attorney before making a decision.

Slip & Fall Accidents

At Tapalian Law, we have helped many victims who were hurt in a slip, trip, or fall on an uneven sidewalk, unmarked wet floor, or icy walkway. A slip and fall accident can prove serious if you break a bone or obtain a concussion as a result. The elderly and young children are especially susceptible to injuries from a fall. Anyone who suffers harm caused by a slip, trip, or fall, due to an unsafe area may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, ongoing treatment, and lost wages.

Slip and fall injuries are considered premises liability claims, because they typically happen on a property where an owner owes you a duty of care for your safety. If the property owner fails to provide a safe area or fails to notify the public of potentially harmful surfaces, such as a wet floor, they may be held responsible for the injuries that you sustain. Gathering evidence of the property owners negligence is essential in a RI or MA slip and fall case and personal injury attorney David Tapalian can advise you as to best course of action to strengthen your case.

Nursing Home Abuse

Families who entrust an elderly loved one to a nursing home or another licensed care facility are sometimes appalled to discover that their family member has not received the proper attention. Instances of malnutrition, dehydration, and bedsores are not uncommon in nursing homes, especially if the staff is overworked or not properly trained. In some situations, a resident may even suffer from physical or sexual abuse by a staff member or another resident. Families in these situations have rights to assert and can potentially sue any responsible individuals as well as the nursing home.

Social Security Disability

People who are suffering from a serious physical or mental condition, whether or not it arose from their job, may be able to receive benefits from the federal Social Security Administration. A claimant needs to show that they are unable to perform any substantial gainful activity because of their disability, which means that they cannot work at their most recent job or any other job. Many people receive denials initially before being granted benefits later in the administrative process. We can assist you with an initial claim or any stage of an appeal.

Medical Malpractice

While most doctors act competently in treating their patients, incidents of medical malpractice still happen all too often. A patient may receive a misdiagnosis or an improper dosage of a medication, or a surgeon may make an egregious error during a procedure, among other examples. When this happens, a victim has a right to bring a medical malpractice claim. The defendant may be held liable if they failed to meet the standard of care that a competent health care provider in the same specialty would have met. Expert witnesses are critical to establish how the defendant breached the duty of care and how their careless conduct caused the patient’s injuries.

Birth-Related Injuries

The birth of a child should be one of the most joyous days of your life. However, if you or your newborn are injured at the hands of a negligent medical professional, you should obtain legal representation to seek justice for the pain or physical impairments incurred by you or your child. A medical professional may be found negligent for failure to properly delivery your baby, misdiagnosing your or your child, or for incorrectly monitoring a baby or mother’s vitals before or after delivery. Whether injuries are sustained during pregnancy, labor, or when you give birth, you should never have to suffer from the harmful actions of someone else.

Some birth-related injuries can lead to chronic issues accompanied by extensive medical bills and an attorney can help you seek coverage for these overwhelming expenses. The legal proceeding for birth-relate injuries is especially complex because they often involve a minor child. Further, extensive proof is required to show a medical professional caused your injuries. There are specific intricacies to recovering compensation for a birth-related injury that only a competent personal injury lawyer can depict; thus its important to consult an experienced and trusted legal representative in Rhode Island like those at Tapalian Law.

Wrongful Death

When an accident claims a victim’s life, their loved ones may bring a wrongful death claim to recover the costs and losses that they sustained. These often include burial expenses, medical costs before the victim’s death, lost wages and earning capacity, and the loss of their loved one’s support and companionship. If the defendant behaved in an especially reprehensible manner, punitive damages also may be sought. Wrongful death claims are relatively complex, and only certain relatives of the victim are eligible to bring them, so it is important to seek legal guidance early in the process.

Falling Objects

Although it may seem unusual that a property owner can cause injury to a patron by failing to remove an object with the potential to harm, Tapalian Law has represented numerous victims of falling object accidents. For example, a victim may be harmed at a store when an improperly placed object on a shelf falls down on them, or a person may be hurt at a park by a falling branch that should have been removed. If you are hurt at the hands of a negligent property owner in RI or MA, personal injury lawyer David Tapalian can ensure you recover the medical expenses you incurred from the accident. Even if the negligent party is a large corporation, like a grocery store chain, with strong legal representation, David will stand up for your rights and get you the justice you deserve.

Pedestrian Injuries

Motorists owe pedestrians a special duty of care, as they are completely vulnerable when crossing the street and unprotected from the impact of a motor vehicle. While a driver has an airbag to protect them in a collision, a person walking on foot has nothing to shield them in the event of a crash and the injuries they sustain can be far more devastating. Some of the injuries sustained by a pedestrian can lead to permanent complications and can leave the victim with overwhelming medical expenses. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you take proper legal action in the event you are hurt by a negligent driver while walking or jogging in Rhode Island or Massachusetts.

Unlike a collision involving two vehicles, liability is typically less difficult to determine in a pedestrian accident. One of the most common causes of a pedestrian accident is a speeding driver who fails to yield to a pedestrian crossing the street. These types of accidents are almost always preventable and a careless or distracted driver should be held liable for any injuries they caused you.

Premises Liability

Whether you are shopping at a store, walking down a street, or visiting another person’s home, you do not expect to encounter hazards that would hurt you. Unfortunately, sometimes, that is exactly what happens. When a property is not adequately maintained, dangerous conditions may lead to a slip-and-fall accident. The resulting injuries may be significant, especially for an elderly victim. If property owners or occupiers do not keep their premises safe, they may be held accountable for the injuries that result through premises liability claims.

When a slip-and-fall accident occurs at a place of business, the owner may be found to have breached the duty of care owed to patrons. Business owners must regularly inspect their property and take reasonable measures to fix any known dangers. For instance, if there is a leak in a ceiling that causes a certain area to pool water constantly, or if employees fail to clean up spills for long duration’s, the business occupying the space may be held liable for the injuries that result. Victims must establish that the business owner knew or should have known of the hazard on the property, and the hazard caused their injuries. A personal injury lawyer can help Rhode Island residents collect evidence and develop a strong strategy.

Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer in Rhode Island or Massachusetts

Tapalian Law represents victims throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts from offices in Providence, Warwick, and Seekonk. If you have been hurt in an accident or are suffering from a serious health condition, seek assistance from personal injury attorney David Tapalian. Contact us online or call us at (401) 552-5000 to set up a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options. We are ready to help people who need an auto accident attorney, workers compensation lawyer, assistance with a Social Security Disability application, or any of the full range of personal injury claims we represent.