The world of litigation is complex. For nearly every grievance that results in harm, there is a legal action that may follow. Legal specialties are broad—for example, personal injury. Personal injury law firms may handle a wide variety of personal injury claims. Conversely, they may narrow their field down to focus on a specific category of personal injury, like dog bites or car accidents. It can be challenging to know exactly which category of law encompasses the problem you are searching for.
If you have a broad legal issue and are unsure where to begin tackling it, consider visiting the site of a law firm in that field and checking the section titled “practice areas.” Another great resource for legal information is Nolo. Nolo is a legal self-help website that connects people to articles about law and products that may help someone navigate basic legal issues. Whether you are exploring legal options due to an unconventional burden or out of pure curiosity, there are a few specializations of law that you may not be familiar with.
1. Slip and Fall Attorneys
A slip and fall lawyer is an attorney who specializes in injuries sustained in fall accidents. For instance, if you slip and fall on a puddle while shopping in the supermarket, you may become injured. You should not be liable for the bills arising out of these injuries because it is the supermarket’s duty to provide all who enter a safe place to shop. While premises liability can be complicated, a general rule of thumb is that any space you enter as a consumer should not subject you to dangerous conditions. A company is subjected to certain rules and regulations that ensure the safety of its customers.
In the supermarket puddle scenario, a few factors will determine the strength of the case. Generally, if something has been spilled, it is the business’s job to clean it up and place a wet floor sign to protect customers from harm. However, if the spill was located in an area that was off-limits to customers or there was a wet floor sign in place, the circumstance and the laws that apply to it have changed. Many people seek a personal injury attorney when dealing with a fall lawsuit. However, it may be more lucrative for you to be more specific in your search for legal representation.
A personal injury lawyer specializing in slip and fall cases has more experience with cases similar to yours. If you go to a law firm specializing mainly in auto accidents, you may not have access to the same level of knowledge and experience as one that focuses on slip and fall accidents. The legal team best equipped to handle a specific incident is one that focuses on that specificity.
2. Maritime Law Attorneys
Most people are familiar with the few main categories of law: family law, criminal law, personal injury, and worker’s compensation. However, there is a vast world of legal specialties to be explored. One of the lesser-known fields of law is maritime law. Contrary to popular belief, maritime law is not limited to oceanic affairs. Maritime law covers any incidents that occur on navigatable waters. Navigatable waters include bays, rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Maritime laws include the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, too, meaning that this area of law can govern certain activities that occur on land. People protected under the LHWCA include certain employees who work on offshore vessels, ships near navigatable waters, and longshoremen. Experienced attorneys like Pepper & Odom, maritime law attorneys in Alabama and Mississippi, offer free consultations to those who have an injury claim but are unsure how to navigate it.
3. Tenant Rights Lawyers
This particular area of law is essential to know about for those who rent their living space. A negligent property owner is not only an inconvenience to renters but a danger to a person’s living conditions. Unfit living conditions can result in bodily injury, mental anguish, and undue financial responsibility. A landlord typically develops a lease to ensure that the tenant follows property rules. Still, the property owner is bound by and must follow those same regulations.
One of the most common problems that renters experience with landlords is an unfair eviction process. Other common issues between tenants and landlords include lapses in the duty of care, premises liability incidents, and trespassing. Tenant laws vary from state to state, so it is tough to handle a case of property management negligence without prior knowledge.
There are a plethora of factors that could contribute to a loss of enjoyment of life. For many, legal services are invoked to recover financial damages. Medical bills, moving fees, and time off of work are significant factors that guide people to legal representation. The best thing you can do for yourself, regardless of the type of accident you have been involved in, is consulting with a professional.
