Being assaulted can cause severe physical injuries and mental trauma. It can also result in substantial financial losses for the victim. If you were assaulted in Dundalk, MD, you may be entitled to compensation under Maryland’s personal injury laws. Having an experienced Dundalk personal injury lawyer handle your case can reduce stress and increase your chance of winning.
At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we have over 80 years of combined experience. Since 1977, our legal team has been fighting for the rights of victims in Maryland. We’ll stand up for your right to be compensated fairly for the harm you suffered after an assault.
We have recovered millions in jury verdicts and settlements for our clients. Our attorneys are seasoned trial lawyers, having tried thousands of cases. We are also highly skilled, resourceful negotiators who resolve many cases through negotiations.
Contact our office by calling (410) 970-3080 for a free consultation with a Dundalk assault injury lawyer. We are available 24/7 to discuss your case with you.
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How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With an Assault Injury Case in Dundalk, MD
It is a crime to assault someone in Maryland. Therefore, the person who caused your assault injury may face criminal charges. However, a criminal case is separate from a civil case for personal injury. Regardless of what happens in criminal court, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.
For more than 45 years, WGK Personal Injury Lawyers has devoted our law practice to protecting the rights of injured victims and their families. Our exceptional legal services have resulted in our Dundalk personal injury attorneys being recognized by numerous legal organizations, such as The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 and Expertise.com.
When you hire our top-rated personal injury lawyers in Dundalk, you can trust that we will:
- Thoroughly investigate your claim to identify all parties who could be liable for your damages
- Interview witnesses and work with leading experts when necessary
- Monitor the criminal proceedings against your attacker
- Gather medical records, police reports, and other evidence
- Assess how much your assault injury case is worth by documenting your damages
- File insurance claims, if applicable, and handle all related matters
- Negotiate a settlement to fairly compensate you for damages
- File a lawsuit seeking compensation for your assault injuries
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers is a family-owned and managed law firm. We have three generations of dedicated attorneys working for you.
Contact our law office to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced assault injury lawyer in Dundalk, Maryland.
Defining Assault Under the Maryland Criminal Code
Maryland defines the crime of assault as “assault, battery, and assault and battery.” Maryland does not have a different statute for assault versus battery. The code defines assault as the threat of violence or actual physical violence.
Assault charges can arise from many different situations and circumstances.
Instances that could give rise to an assault injury claim include, but are not limited to:
- Sexual abuse
- Assaults at bars and nightclubs
- Police misconduct and excessive force
- General assaults and muggings
- School bullying
- Fights at sports and entertainment venues
- Domestic violence
- Other forms of physical attacks
The assault charges depend on the facts of the case. For example, a first-degree assault charge is used when the attacker uses a firearm during the assault. An attacker may also be charged with first-degree assault if they attempt to or actually cause someone serious bodily injury.
A second-degree assault is typically a misdemeanor. The prosecutor may charge this offense if the attacker does not cause serious bodily injury or use a weapon during the assault.
What Can I Do If I’m Assaulted in Dundalk, MD?
Call the police immediately to report the assault. The police officers will advise you on how to file a complaint.
Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries. Go to the emergency room or see a doctor for a complete examination. You could have sustained injuries you are unaware of that could worsen without medical intervention.
You can explore state resources for victims of assault and other crimes to get help with the effects of an assault. If you want to pursue a civil injury claim, you should speak with a Dundalk assault injury attorney as soon as possible.
What Injuries Do Assault Victims Sustain?
The injuries from an assault depend on several factors, including the severity of the attack and whether weapons were used. Assaults are violent crimes.
Victims may sustain various injuries, including:
- Bruises and lacerations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Broken bones and fractures
- Dislocations
- Skull fractures
- Back and neck injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of limbs and amputations
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Facial injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
You can help your personal injury case by documenting your injuries after an assault. In addition to seeking medical care, take photographs of your injuries immediately after the assault and throughout your recovery.
What Damages Can I Receive in an Assault Injury Case in Dundalk, Maryland?
An assault is an intentional tort. The damages for intentional torts include economic and non-economic awards. The types and amounts of the compensation you receive depend on several factors.
Generally, you can receive economic damages to reimburse you for your financial losses and expenses, including:
- Past and future medical bills
- The cost of mental health therapy
- Loss of past and future income, including lost wages, benefits, and earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Reconstructive surgery
- Personal and/or nursing care
- Rehabilitative therapies
You should also be entitled to non-economic damages for the pain and suffering caused by the assault and your injuries, including:
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Physical pain
- Impairments and disabilities
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
You may also receive punitive damages in an assault injury lawsuit. Juries in Maryland award these damages when a defendant acts with actual malice instead of gross negligence. However, you have the burden of proving that your attacker acted with actual malice before you can receive punitive damages.
How Much Is My Dundalk Assault Injury Claim Worth?
The amount you receive for damages in an assault injury case depends on numerous factors.
Factors that can impact the value of your claim include:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- Disfigurement and scarring (i.e., your appearance before versus after the attack)
- Whether you sustained permanent impairments and disabilities
- The type of medical care required for your injuries, including mental health treatment
- The parties involved in the case
- The availability of insurance coverage and the policy amounts
- The strength of your evidence proving the assault
Our Dundalk injury lawyers will work diligently to build a solid case to maximize the value of your losses. We’ll work with you, your physicians, the police, expert witnesses, and other resources to gather evidence.
Other Parties Could Be Liable for an Assault Injury in Dundalk, MD
Your attacker may not be the only party liable for the damages caused by an assault. You could have a claim against a third party for premises liability, negligence, or other legal causes of action. Our Dundalk assault injury attorneys will carefully review all evidence in your case to identify the parties who could be liable.
Common third parties in assault injury cases include property owners and other parties responsible for the area where the assault took place. In a premises liability case, they could be liable for damages for failing to provide safe premises for guests and invitees.
Examples of claims include:
- Failing to provide adequate lighting and/or security
- Negligent hiring practices that lead to employing someone with a criminal record for assault
- Failing to provide adequate security measures, including security guards, secure entrances/exits, and surveillance cameras
- Inciting events that could lead to violence
- Failing to recognize foreseeable acts by third parties
Our legal team at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers will explore every option to get you the money you deserve in an assault injury claim in Dundalk, MD.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for an Assault Injury Lawsuit in Maryland?
Your time to file an assault injury case is limited by the Maryland statute of limitations. Generally, you have one year from the date of the assault to file a lawsuit. Once time runs out, a judge can dismiss your lawsuit without considering the case’s merits.
Factors in your case and exceptions to the statute of limitations could change the deadline. Therefore, it is wise to seek legal advice as soon as possible after an assault. You don’t want to give up your right to pursue a legal claim against your attacker because you missed a filing deadline.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Dundalk Assault Injury Lawyers
You do not have to face this situation alone. Our legal team at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Call now for a free case review with an experienced Dundalk assault injury attorney.
