Personal Injury Lawsuits
If you suffer an injury in Puerto Rico due to the actions, behaviors, intent, or omission of someone else, you may be entitled to hold that person or entity liable for the injuries you sustain and costs and expenses you incur. However, there are certain limitations and caveats that you need to be aware of.
Puerto Rico Personal injury Law
Puerto Rico personal injury laws say that you may be able to file a lawsuit seeking justice and compensation if you are injured because of the negligence of someone else. Personal injury can occur just about anywhere, such as on the roadway, while shopping, eating out, staying in a hotel, or even while walking down the street. Injuries may be suffered because of a dangerous product, an over-the-counter or prescription medication, or because of a dangerous work environment.
When you suffer harm because of someone else, you may have a personal injury claim. For example, slip, trip, and fall accidents are a common cause of personal injury. If you slip or trip on someone else’s property because of a danger or defect, you may be entitled to compensation, but only if you have a right to be there. If you are trespassing on someone else’s property and get hurt, there is little chance that the property owner will be held responsible, unless you are a minor who may or may not know better. But if you are not trespassing, you may have a case.
To prove a personal injury case, you must satisfy certain case elements:
You were owed a duty of care, and
that duty of care was breached, and
you suffered an injury, and
your injury was caused by the breach of duty.
Special Considerations
All states have a time limit on how long you have to file a personal injury claim. In states like Florida, the time limit, called the Statute of Limitations, is four years, while in Puerto Rico, the time limit is one year, and the clock starts ticking when the injury occurs. Once the clock has run out, you will be barred from bringing a claim for that personal injury forever.
Personal injury laws are based on the Puerto Rico civil code which is mostly defined by the opinions and rules of the court. One rule to note: if you are injured on the island, your attorney must be admitted to practice in U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, as personal injury claims are not heard in local courts, only federal courts.
If You’ve Been Injured, We Can Help
If you have been injured due to the negligent actions, behaviors, intent, or omissions of someone else, contact us today. We have the skills, experience, and resources to investigate and successfully prove even the most complex personal injury cases.
For more than twenty years we have fought for the rights of those harmed by the negligence of someone else. Let us fight for justice for you and your family, and make sure you get the maximum redress available under the law for your injuries and losses.
Contact us today to learn more about your rights and protections by law and whether you are eligible to seek significant financial compensation.
