World

5 Common Personal Injury Case Types You Ought to Know

Published

2 years ago

November 14, 2023

If you have ever been in a car accident or suffered a trip, slip, or fall incident, you know the end result can be weeks, months, or years of pain and suffering. As you seek to get back to full health, or at least to something close to normal, you’ll want to know what help is available to you.

The good news is that recourse is available should you suffer a personal injury due to another person’s negligence. But you’ll need the help of a personal injury lawyer to, first, determine if you have grounds to pursue a case and, second, build a solid case on your behalf.

You might be surprised to learn about the different kinds of personal injury cases recognized by law.

According to the National Safety Council, there were 62 million injuries and almost a quarter of a million preventable deaths in 2021. So, severe mishaps happen more often than you might think.

Keep reading to see five common types of personal injury cases to know about.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

The National Safety Council notes that there were 5.4 million medically consulted injuries due to motor vehicle mishaps in 2021, and the total costs for motor vehicle injuries were estimated at $498.3 billion. Costs include things like wages and productivity losses, administrative expenses, medical expenses, employer costs, and motor vehicle property damage.

If you’re involved in a car accident, the injuries sustained can be substantial. You’ll be fortunate if you’re left unscathed or perhaps with a few minor bumps and bruises. But severe injuries are an unfortunate possibility as well.

Another thing to remember about motor vehicle incidents is that it’s not just about drivers on the road — pedestrians, too, can file personal injury claims. Of the 1.3 million or so people who die each year in vehicle accidents worldwide, around half of them are pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Did you know that one out of four Americans who are over 65 years old suffer a fall annually? Owners of private residences and public establishments are required to ensure their properties don’t present safety hazards to others. But falls don’t just occur when people are out and about. They often occur in the workplace.

In fact, slips and falls are the main reason for lost work days. And falls are the cause of over 8 million hospital emergency room visits each year.

Dog Bite Accidents

You might be surprised to hear that about 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten each year by dogs. Of that amount, around 800,000 people have to pursue medical attention after a dog bite. If a dog bites you, the costs could add up when you consider hospital visits, doctor appointments, and time off work.

Workplace Accidents

Many personal injury accidents take place when people are on the job. In such instances, you’ll need to file a workers’ compensation claim. Filers won’t have to prove that their employer was at fault, but they’re unable to sue for non-economic damages like pain and suffering under the workers’ compensation system.

A personal injury lawyer can, however, launch legal action outside of workers’ compensation to sue for non-economic damages you’re entitled to.

Product Liability Accidents

Another type of personal injury case involves product liability situations. If someone suffers an injury due to a consumer product deemed to be dangerous, a product liability case is possible. To prove such a case, you have to show there was a manufacturing defect, design defect, or inadequate warnings detailing the product’s dangers.

It’s also vital to know that a case can be launched by someone who, while injured by the product, didn’t buy the product.

These are five of the most common types of personal injury cases. If you’re injured and want to find out if you have a case, the best thing you can do is contact a personal injury lawyer. You can book a consultation and determine whether you have a case and the best course of action.

World

More Named Storms — Is Your Luxury Pergola Ready?

Published

2 weeks ago

December 11, 2025

Jenny Jackson

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a 60% chance that the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season would be above normal. The administration said to watch for between 13 and 19 total named storms — those with winds of 39 mph or higher.

For homeowners in hurricane-prone regions, this raises an urgent question: are your outdoor spaces ready to weather the storm?

PERGOLUX, a leader in durable outdoor structures, designs powder-coated aluminum pergolas with adjustable louvers to withstand the harshest environments.

“Today’s outdoor living spaces face the wrath of nature’s extremes,” says Tim Heneveld, Country Director of PERGOLUX North America. “Hurricanes, tropical storms, and flash floods bring powerful winds exceeding 100 mph. Their relentless rain and rising floodwaters can quickly devastate unprepared structures. If you want to protect your investments, resilient design is essential.”

Is your aluminum pergola and louvered roof ready to take on intense storms?

The open-air elegance of patio pergolas with slat roofs is perfect for a gentle breeze, but can make them vulnerable to the violent forces of hurricane winds. These storm winds pack powerful uplift and lateral forces.

Wind uplift occurs when gusts of wind flow beneath the roof, generating upward pressure that can lift the entire structure off its base. Lateral forces push a pergola horizontally, causing it to lean or even collapse.

The key defense against these powerful forces? A reinforced frame.

“Strong, well-engineered frames act as the backbone of your pergola,” notes Heneveld. “Aluminum is the ideal material for a pergola’s frame. It combines the strength needed to resist bending or breaking with a lighter weight that reduces strain on the foundation.”

PERGOLUX’s pergolas feature reinforced frames engineered to withstand intense storms with confidence. In fact, their latest model, the Skydance Series 3 Pergola, is specially crafted to endure winds up to 165 mph, which means that even when fierce hurricanes like Milton sweep through, these pergolas remain intact.

Reinforced aluminum frames designed with thickened beams and precision connections stand up to wind uplift and lateral pressure. Hurricane-rated bolts, brackets, and screws hold everything tightly together to prevent ‌weak points that storms so often exploit. When each joint is reinforced and well-anchored, your pergola can remain a steadfast retreat despite the wildest weather. Thicker beams and columns combined with robust engineering techniques give these pergolas superior strength. Extra support brackets, hidden fasteners, and precise assembly methods ensure the frame endures.

Elevated bases can protect your luxury pergola from floods

Along with high winds, storms bring torrential rain. Rising water can undermine structural footings and rot wooden materials, which can destabilize the entire installation.

An elevated base is a strategic line of defense. “By constructing your pergola on raised concrete footings or piers, you create a gap between the ground and the structure,” notes Heneveld. “During a flood, it keeps the water at bay. The elevation also prevents erosion caused by pooling rainwater.”

The best-quality outdoor pergolas offer high-grade materials and cutting-edge engineering

The key element of any storm-ready outdoor structure is its materials. PERGOLUX chooses 6063-T5 aluminum, a marine-grade alloy renowned for its incredible strength and exceptional resistance to corrosion, even when exposed to salty sea air and humid conditions.

“A wooden or vinyl pergola may look great at first,” says Heneveld, “but they often require costly upkeep or replacement after just a few seasons of storm damage. Our reinforced aluminum pergolas will give you years of worry-free durability. It will remain strong and look fantastic, no matter the weather.”

PERGOLUX’s advanced engineering solutions also protect what is inside the structure. Their patented RainLUX™ integrated gutter system channels rainwater away, preventing leaks that can damage furniture and floors.

“We offer a 10-year warranty to back up all of our claims,” Heneveld says. “It’s our commitment that these structures will protect your home’s exterior environment for years to come. We want you to focus on enjoying the moments that matter in your pergola, not on the coming storms.”

Practical outdoor living tips to prepare your louvered pergola kit before storm season

Even the strongest pergola will fare better when prepped for a coming storm. “Make sure to secure your loose items,” Heneveld warns. “Before a storm, remove furniture, planters, and décor. All of these can become hazardous projectiles.”

When homeowners hear that a storm is on the way, they will want to fully secure any screens or panels. Removing detachable panels before severe weather will help protect the pergola by reducing wind resistance.

Homeowners will want to take the time to routinely inspect and maintain their pergolas. A quick check for loose fasteners or other small signs of wear goes a long way in preserving the pergola’s strength.

“Combine simple preparation with a reinforced, elevated, and expertly engineered structure, and you’ll have an outdoor space built to last,” Heneveld concludes. “Investing in a storm-ready pergola is about so much more than just avoiding damage. You’re preserving a lifestyle. A long-lasting pergola will bring you years of shaded summer barbecues and fresh-air morning coffees.”