According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 (CDC), an estimated 19 million people are infected with a sexually transmitted disease2 (STD) each year in the United States. The long-term consequences of an STD can vary greatly – while some are easily treatable with a course of standard antibiotics, others may result in life-long conditions that require ongoing treatment. Whatever the outcome, the emotional impact and social stigma associated with an STD infection is a serious matter and can cause significant distress.
When these infections are spread by the negligence of others, victims may be legally entitled to significant compensation. For this reason, anyone who has contracted an STD should contact one of the Michigan personal injury attorneys of Michigan Injury Lawyers as soon as possible. Some of the ways our attorneys can help are detailed below.
Evaluate your case and determine whether you have a claim
Not every case of STD infection is actionable. In order to be able to recover, victims must be able to establish that the person who infected them knew or should have known of his or her condition, did not disclose the condition, and actually transmitted the infection to his or her sexual partner. An experienced attorney will review the facts of your case and determine whether you have a valid legal claim.
Obtain evidence in support of your position
In some cases, it may require evidence to prove the other party knew about his or her condition, failed to disclose it, or actually transmitted the infection. The kinds of evidence that may be used to establish any of these facts include medical records or the testimony of others who had knowledge of an individual’s prior health status. An attorney familiar with litigating STD cases can obtain this type of evidence on your behalf and ensure that your case is as strong as possible. In many instances, a case that is sufficiently established through evidence supportive of a plaintiff’s position can be settled out of court, avoiding the need for costly and time-consuming litigation.
File a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court
In some cases, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit in order for a person wrongfully infected with an STD to recover compensation. The process of filing a lawsuit and conducting a trial can be extremely complicated, so it is highly advisable for anyone considering do so to retain qualified legal counsel as soon as possible.
Contact a Michigan STD attorney today to schedule a free consultation
Contracting a sexually transmitted disease is something no one wants to experience, and an infection can have a significant impact on a person’s financial and emotional well-being. Fortunately, victims may be able to bring a legal claim against the person that infected them and recover significant compensation. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our Michigan personal injury lawyers, please call Michigan Injury Lawyers today at (888) 454-0801.
References:
1 http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats10/trends.htm
2 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/basics/definition/con-20034128