If you’ve been hurt and are thinking about suing, you might hear the words “tort” and “personal injury.” These words are very similar, but they don’t mean the same thing. A knowledgeable Illinois personal injury lawyer can explain these ideas to you and how they apply to your case.
A personal injury case is a type of tort case, to put it simply. But not every tort involves physical injury; some involve financial loss or property damage. Knowing the difference can help you better understand your rights under Illinois law.
What Is a Tort?
A tort is a civil wrong that causes injury or loss to another person, including physical, emotional, or financial harm.
Tort law is the part of the law that deals with these kinds of offenses. The goal is usually to give the injured person monetary damages so that they can “be made whole” again.
There are many kinds of torts, like car accidents or slips and falls, intentional acts, such as assault or battery, and strict liability, like some defective product cases.
These groups help explain how and why someone might be held legally responsible.
What Is a Personal Injury Case?
A personal injury case is a type of tort case that deals with damage to a person’s body, mind, or emotions. When people hear about lawsuits after an accident, these are the kinds of cases they usually think of.
Car accidents, truck accidents, injuries at work, dog bites, and medical malpractice are all common types of personal injury cases.
In these situations, the injured person may be able to get compensation for things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How Are Tort Cases and Personal Injury Cases Different?
The main difference is how broad each one is. Tort law covers many kinds of wrongful actions, while personal injury cases only deal with harm to a person.
For instance, a tort case could be about damage to property or loss of money without any injuries. On the other hand, a personal injury case always involves harm to a person.
This means that although every personal injury case is a tort case, not every tort case is a personal injury case.
What Types of Harm Do These Cases Cover?
Depending on the situation, tort law can cover a lot of different kinds of harm. Personal injury cases are more focused.
Here are some common types of harm involved in these cases:
- physical injuries, like broken bones or head injuries
- emotional distress, such as anxiety or trauma
- financial losses, including medical bills and lost wages
- property damage, such as damage to a vehicle
Personal injury cases usually involve several of these at once.
Why Does the Difference Matter?
Knowing the difference between tort law and personal injury cases can help you figure out what your legal options are.
If your case only has property damage, it could still be a tort but not a personal injury case. If you were hurt physically, on the other hand, your case would probably fall under personal injury law.
This difference can change how your case is handled, what damages you can get, and what legal options are available to you.
An Illinois personal injury lawyer can help you figure out where your case stands and what to do next.
How Do You Know What Type of Case You Have?
It’s not always clear if your case is a personal injury case or another type of tort. In many cases, there is more than one problem, like injuries to people and property damage.
A lawyer can look over the facts of your case, explain how Illinois law applies, and help you figure out what to do next. Getting clear answers right away can help you protect your rights and avoid making mistakes.
Call Fabbrini Law Group to Discuss Your Case
It’s important to get reliable advice if you’re not sure whether your case is a tort or a personal injury claim. The Illinois personal injury lawyers at Fabbrini Law Group can help you figure out what to do and what to expect.
To set up a meeting and talk to someone who can help you figure out what to do next, call Fabbrini Law Group at (312) 494-3131 or fill out the contact form on our website.