A personal injury lawyer is a lawyer who provides legal services to those who claim to have been injured, physically or psychologically, as a result of the negligence of another person, company, government agency or any entity. Personal injury lawyers primarily practice in the area of law known as tort law. Examples of common personal injury claims include injuries from slip and fall accidents, traffic collisions, defective products, workplace injuries and professional malpractice. The term "trial lawyers" is used to refer to personal injury lawyers, even though many other types of lawyers, including defense lawyers and criminal prosecutors also appear in trials and even though most personal injury claims are settled without going to trial.
In essence, a personal injury lawyer specializes in offering legal services specifically to individuals who allege they have suffered physical or psychological harm due to another person, organization, government body, or any other entity's negligence. These lawyers operate within the realm of tort law, a distinct area of law. Common cases they handle include slip and fall accidents, traffic collisions, product defects, work-related injuries, and professional malpractice. It's worth noting that the term "trial lawyers" is often used in reference to personal injury lawyers, although this term encompasses numerous other legal professionals, such as defense attorneys and criminal prosecutors, who also participate in trials. Importantly, the majority of personal injury claims are resolved outside of the courtroom through negotiations and settlements.