Summer is a great time to get out and enjoy everything the Bluegrass State has to offer. Whether you’re going on a family vacation, sending the kids to their favorite camp, swimming, picnicking, boating, or having a cookout with friends closer to home, taking precautions is vital to avoiding injury.
Unfortunately, our safety—and our family’s—often depends on the actions or inaction of others. If you were severely hurt or lost a loved one due to another person or company’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.
Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey’s caring and capable personal injury and wrongful death lawyers provide honest answers, common sense advice, and much-needed peace of mind for Central Kentucky clients. Here’s what you should know about summer hazards, keeping your family safe, and how we can help you hold at-fault parties accountable and secure fair compensation for damages you suffer.
Common Summer Safety Hazards
Kentucky’s warm temperatures, abundant sunshine, and lush green landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for wide-ranging summer activities. Here’s an overview of common accidents associated with summer fun.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Summer is a prime time for road trips. Sadly, more vehicles on the road mean more car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian crashes. The state records the highest percentages of motor vehicle accident injuries and fatalities, including those involving DUIs, from June through September.
Swimming or Boating Incidents
Spending an afternoon taking a dip in a swimming pool (or swimming hole) is a popular way to beat Kentucky’s summer heat and humidity. However, without proper supervision or careful maintenance of premises and equipment, aquatic fun in the sun can quickly turn tragic.
Camp Accidents
Day camps and sleepaway camps are great ways to keep kids learning and engaged in positive activities during their summer vacation from school. Camp owners and operators must maintain the property and provide adequate supervision and security to ensure guest and employee safety, or risk liability for resulting harm.
Whether your child slipped and fell on cracked, uneven flooring, was assaulted by a camper or counselor, or didn’t make it home due to a deadly accident, we can help your family fight for justice.
Carnival, Theme Park, and Waterpark Injuries
Carnival, theme park, and waterpark owners and operators are legally obligated to maintain their premises and regularly inspect and repair attractions and equipment for safety purposes.
If your child or another family member was injured at a carnival, theme park, or waterpark in Kentucky, our accomplished attorneys can provide skilled legal representation and guidance during this difficult time.
Dog Bites, Trampoline Accidents, and Other Injuries at Someone Else’s Home
For many kids, spending time at one another's homes during the school break is a key component of a perfect summer. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for parents to anticipate all the potential hazards that could be present on someone else's property. Serious accidents such as dog bites, trampoline injuries, and other dangerous incidents can occur. If you or your child were hurt due to a property owner's negligence, you may have a claim against their homeowners' insurance policy, which could provide compensation for injuries and other losses.
How We Can Help Your Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Case
Recovering damages in a Kentucky personal injury or wrongful death claim requires proving the following:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant’s negligence violated the duty of care
- The violation caused an accident
- You sustained injuries and damages as a result
Building a Winning Case
To build a strong case, our exceptional team will:
- Investigate the injury or fatal incident
- Determine fault and prevent you from being assigned a greater fault percentage than deserved
- Gather essential evidence and send spoliation letters, as needed, to inform defendants of their obligation to preserve relevant evidence
- Interview witnesses
- Handle communications with other parties, insurers, and defense attorneys
- Arrange for experts to testify on your behalf, if necessary
- Present and negotiate settlement offers
- Prepare the case for trial
Available Damages
Depending on the facts and evidence in your case, you could potentially recover compensation for:
- All related medical expenses, including ongoing care
- Lost wages or reduced future earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Humiliation and embarrassment
- Disability
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Funeral or burial expenses (for wrongful death recoveries)
- Loss of spousal consortium
- And other losses
You Can Afford a Skilled Injury or Wrongful Death Lawyer
After a serious accident, people often put off speaking to an attorney over fear they can’t afford one. Fortunately, there’s good news. Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey’s talented legal team accepts personal injury or wrongful death cases on contingency, so there’s no fee until we win your case. Contact our team for a free consultation today.