When it comes to insurance, most people think of policies covering car accidents, home damages, or routine medical expenses. However, many are unaware of the wide range of claims that insurance can cover, providing a financial safety net when unexpected incidents occur – this makes understanding these lesser-known coverages crucial. In this blog, we’ll explore five types of bodily injury insurance that you might not be aware of.
1. Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of injury, occurring in various settings, including workplaces, public spaces, and homes. These accidents can lead to injuries ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or head injuries. Lawyers often refer to these types of claims as “Premises Liability.” There are several factual and legal issues that determine whether or not someone is liable under these theories, but there is often insurance available to cover injuries when there has been negligence. The most common types of policies to cover slip and fall injuries are homeowners’ insurance and commercial general liability insurance. If the incident occurs on someone else’s property, their liability insurance may cover your medical expenses and other related costs. Sometimes, it is the best option for an injured person to bring a claim against the insurance policy belonging to their own family member; after all, injuries can be life-changing, and this is why we purchase insurance. No matter what, it’s crucial to report such accidents promptly and document the circumstances to ensure your claim is processed smoothly.
2. Animal Injury
While dog bites and animal attacks are less frequent than other types of injuries, they can still happen unexpectedly and cause significant physical and emotional trauma. Homeowners’ insurance typically includes coverage for dog bites and other animal-related injuries. This coverage can help pay for medical bills, legal expenses if the injured party sues, and other related costs. If you own a pet, it’s wise to review your policy to understand the extent of your coverage and any breed-specific exclusions that may apply. Here again, the facts and circumstance will be important to determining whether the dog’s owner has liability; for example, the test is different when the dog bite occurs in a home as opposed to outside the home.
If you were injured by livestock, such as a horse or a cow, your treatment may be covered by the animal owner’s homeowner’s or farm insurance policy. Examples of negligence that may cause the owner to be liable for your injuries include allowing an animal to escape from its enclosure or bringing a horse known to kick or bite to a public event.
3. Defective Products
If a defective product injures you, whether in your home, in someone else’s home, at work, or elsewhere, you may have a claim against the insurance policies of the manufacturer, seller, and others in the supply chain. This is a complex area of the law, so if you are in this situation, you should talk to an experienced product liability attorney. Some companies are are able to “self-fund” themselves to defend against these types of claims, but the lack of insurance policy in such situations does not mean you cannot collect from them.
4. Swimming Pool Injuries
If you were invited to use the pool in someone’s backyard and were injured in or around the pool, you may be covered for your injuries by the pool owner’s homeowner’s insurance under certain circumstances. For example, invited guests are more likely to be covered than trespassers. But there could be exceptions; for example, if the trespasser is a child injured in a pool, and the owner could have taken reasonable safety measures such as putting a fence around the pool, there could well be liability and ability to access the insurance coverage.
Get the Help You Need to File an Injury Claim
If you have any questions about whether your injuries are covered by insurance, the experienced personal injury team at Garmey Law can help. Call us at (207) 481-4683 or contact us through our website for a free consultation.