Personal injuries are, unfortunately, an all too common occurrence. When injured, you are coping with physical pain, emotional turmoil, and increased stress about how to acquire and pay for the treatment to heal your wounds. Whether you have suffered broken bones, burns, a brain injury, or an amputation, North Carolina law gives you the opportunity to seek redress for your pain and suffering. The Shumate Law Offices are focused on helping those who were injured and get them compensated for damages caused by car and motorcycle accidents, dog bites, defective products, elder abuse, among others. Chris Shumate is a dedicated and aggressive Charlotte personal injury attorney, and his office prides itself on providing aggressive representation and personal service to all of his clients.

In North Carolina, it is against the law to injure another person through negligence or intentional acts. This field of law is commonly referred to as torts, and through tort laws, courts have the power to monetarily compensate those who have been injured. The theory behind awarding money damages to those who are injured is to make them whole in the eyes of the law, as there is no way to undo the injury itself. Because the courts can only order that damages be paid, a significant part of any tort case is assigning a dollar value to the injuries and pain suffered by the victim. The damages calculated may also include lost wages, lost earning potential, medical bills, and property damages. Every case is different and the amounts set for damages can vary from case to case, so it is important to have a persuasive advocate to ensure that you get the maximum compensation possible.

When you suffer an injury, you only have a certain amount of time in which to file a lawsuit to be compensated for your damages. The legal term for this time period is called the statute of limitations, and if you do not file a lawsuit within the allotted time, you lose your claim and are never allowed to sue the offending party for your damages. Another way to lose your claim is if your own negligence played a part in your injuries. North Carolina applies the theory of contributory negligence in tort cases. This means that if the defendant can prove that you, the plaintiff, were negligent and that negligence contributed to your injury, you cannot recover any damages. For example, imagine you are driving 5 mph over the speed limit through an intersection and another person runs a stop sign and hits you. Should the court find that you were 1% at fault for speeding and the other person was 99% at fault for running a stop sign, you recover nothing under the theory of contributory negligence.

Due to the difficulties in proving both the amount of damages and the complete fault of the opposing party, it is imperative that you hire a knowledgeable attorney to prosecute your case. The Shumate Law Offices provides you with access to an attorney who knows the law and will aggressively pursue your interests. Call 704–371–5059 today for a free consultation and learn what Chris Shumate can do for you.