Dover Personal Injury Lawyers

NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN

$ millions

recovered For our clients

You Deserve Compensation For Someone Else's Negligence

At Schmittinger & Rodriguez, our personal injury attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that all manner of serious injury can have on individuals and their families, especially when it results from someone else’s negligence. You have legal rights and depending on the facts and circumstances you should be able to recover fair compensation for the personal injuries sustained. You should not have to deal with aggressive insurance company adjusters or lawyers; shoulder the burden of medical bills; or endure years of pain and suffering without an injury attorney on your side.

Not all personal injury claims require extensive and time-consuming effort to resolve. An experienced lawyer may be able to handle the claim and arrive at a settlement with the responsible party and their insurance company. Other cases, however, do require filing a personal injury lawsuit and that’s where a personal injury attorney is necessary to recover for you the maximum compensation you are entitled to under the law.

The personal injury lawyers at Schmittinger & Rodriguez are dedicated to helping our clients seek justice. With years of experience representing clients in a variety of personal injury cases, our firm has the knowledge, resources, and skills necessary to effectively advocate for our clients. Whether you have been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or any other type of accident, we are here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for your rights.

What Is Personal Injury
Law In Delaware?

Personal injury law in Delaware covers a wide range of incidents that lead to injuries that are the result of the negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions of others. The concept of negligence is at the core of every personal injury case:

What is Negligence?

In Delaware, negligence is defined as a failure to exercise reasonable care that results in harm or injury to another person. To prove negligence, the person filing a case, known as the plaintiff, must establish four elements:

    1. Duty: The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff. This means that the defendant had a legal obligation to act with reasonable care to avoid causing harm to others.

    2. Breach: The defendant breached their duty of care. This means that the defendant failed to act with reasonable care and, as a result, exposed the plaintiff to an unreasonable risk of harm.

    3. Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty caused the plaintiff’s injuries. This means that the plaintiff’s injuries would not have occurred if not for the defendant’s actions or inactions.

    4. Damages: The plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the defendant’s breach of duty. This means that the plaintiff experienced physical, emotional, or financial harm due to the defendant’s actions or inactions.

In Delaware, negligence can be based on either an act of commission (doing something that a reasonable person would not do) or an act of omission (failing to do something that a reasonable person would do).

Additionally, Delaware follows a comparative negligence system, which means that the plaintiff’s recovery may be reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault for the accident or incident that caused their injuries.

Types Of Personal Injury
Cases We Handle

There are many types of personal injury cases where someone else’s negligent conduct leads to injury. The facts and circumstances of how a person may be injured are enormous but here are the main categories of personal injury claims seen most often by our Dover personal injury attorneys:

Car Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are a daily occurrence and involve serious injuries sustained by drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists due to negligent driving, reckless driving, distracted driving, or drunk driving.

Medical Malpractice

This type of case occurs when a doctor or other healthcare professional fails to provide adequate care, resulting in injury or death to the patient. These cases can be complex and range from medical errors to prescription errors.

Dog Bites / Animal Bites

In these cases, a person is bitten or attacked by someone else's dog, resulting in injuries that may require medical attention.

Workplace Accidents

These cases involve injuries sustained while on the job, such as construction site accidents, industrial accidents, or injuries caused by defective equipment.

Product Liability

These cases involve injuries caused by defective products. The products may have, for example, manufacturing defects, inadequate instructions, or false marketing. The products could be a consumer good or a defective medical device, or even pharmaceuticals.

Slip & Fall Accidents

These cases occur when a person slips, trips, or falls due to hazardous conditions on someone else's private property or the property of a business. The common conditions that lead to slips and falls can include wet floors, uneven sidewalks, inadequate lighting, ice, or poor maintenance.

Once again, this list is not exhaustive, and a free consultation with a lawyer at Schmittinger & Rodriguez will reveal the legal issues your case may involve. Our law firm will work closely with you to gather evidence, deal with the insurance carrier, contact witnesses, and ultimately guide you through the legal process from beginning to end.

Get Started Today

Contact Schmittinger & Rodriguez

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t hesitate to contact Schmittinger & Rodriguez. Our experienced attorneys will provide you with the legal counsel and representation that you need to get the best possible outcome for your case. Contact us today for a free consultation – YOUR CASE. OUR PRIORITY.

our reviews

What Our Clients Say

Brian Jenkins
2023-10-05
Mr Catts went above and beyond to handle my complicated case. The level of professionalism is second to none. The staff and Mr. Catts were kind, courteous, and listened to my concerns with compassion. I would recomend this firm to anyone needing legal help. They earned my trust in am amazing way.
Linda Wilson
2023-10-04
Mr Catts and his legal team went above and beyond for me. They never stopped pursuing all avenues to get the compensation that I deserved. The staff was courteous and showed compassion. I felt like they really cared about my injuries. I highly recommend their services to anyone
Tatiana Sida-Amor
2023-09-17
I was recommended to this law office by my doctor after my car accident in the summer of 2021. I ended up working with Mr. Catts. I appreciate how forthcoming and hardworking he was about my case. The office is extremely professional to ensure that I got the best settlement that I could get. The open communication eased my mind and allowed me to handle things I needed to for myself. Definitely recommend them if you want lawyers that give you results.
Kathyjo Mays
2023-09-07
I recommend them highly and have referred them to many of my friends and family. Very informative and def kept me up to date about my case. Schmittinger & Rodriguez def worked very hard for me.
Mary Zober
2023-09-06
The staff is friendly and makes you feel comfortable. The firm worked on getting my settlement and kept me informed every step of the way.
Sharonda goode
2023-08-15
Great experience! Doug Catts, Ryan and Ms. Kaye are awesome to work with. Very professional, friendly & knowledgeable. They are expensive. But get the job done & in a timely manner. I use Mr. Catts for all my legal needs.
Hot Box237
2023-08-15
I will recommend this lawyer to any one, I feel like crying. He is kind, patient and a good listener. He solved your problem and at the end advice you. Thank you very much.
Cheryl Rowe
2023-08-15
Doug is personable…assertive and he will get the job done!
Patsy Ware
2023-08-14
Schmittinger and Rodriquez attorney Doug Catts is the best, I highly recommend him. As an attorney he is forthright, honest, transparent and sincere. Doug Catts and his staff are amazing.

Common Personal Injuries Seen in A Lawsuit

Injuries arising out of the negligence of others can obviously be quite varied from minor to severe, catastrophic injuries and even death. There are any number of ways to be hurt, but some of the most common types of personal injuries include:

    • Traumatic brain injuries

    • Spinal cord injuries

    • Broken bones and fractures

    • Whiplash and other neck injuries

    • Burn injuries

    • Amputations and loss of limbs

    • Soft tissue injuries

    • Internal injuries and organ damage

    • Scarring and disfigurement

    • Wrongful death

In addition to physical injuries, personal injury lawsuits may also involve claims for emotional distress, mental anguish, and other non-physical harm caused by the accident or injury. It’s important to work with a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling a wide range of injury cases and can provide personalized guidance and support throughout the legal process.

Injuries may result from an automobile accident or even be work injuries. Depending on the facts of your case, you may have a personal injury claim or one in related practice areas. In any case, our Dover, Delaware personal injury lawyers practice personal injury as well as handle workers’ compensation cases. No matter how you were injured or the extent of those injuries, call for a free consultation and find out what rights you have under Delaware law.

Timeframe To File A Personal Injury Lawsuit

In Delaware, you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the injury. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as for cases involving medical malpractice or government entities, which have shorter deadlines.

If you have been injured, it is essential, once you have received medical attention, to contact a personal injury attorney. This is the only way to ensure your rights are protected. Delay may result in you losing the ability to receive the compensation you deserve.

Compensation You Can Collect If You Have Been Injured

Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer to this question as the amount of compensation a client may be entitled to will depend on various factors unique to their case.

One of the most important factors is the severity of the injury and the extent of the damages suffered. For example, a client who has suffered a catastrophic injury such as a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury may be entitled to significantly more compensation than a client who has suffered minor injuries such as cuts and bruises.

Another factor that will impact the amount of compensation a client may be entitled to is the liability of the responsible party. If the other party is clearly at fault for the accident or injury, the client may be able to recover a higher amount of compensation than if there is some question as to who is at fault.

Here are the factors that can impact the amount of compensation an injured person may be entitled to:

    • The severity of injury: Catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries may result in significantly higher compensation than minor injuries such as cuts and bruises.

    • Liability: If the other party is clearly at fault for the accident or injury, the client may be able to recover a higher amount of compensation than if there is some question as to who is at fault.

    • Types of damages: Clients may be entitled to recover compensation for various damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and punitive damages.

    • Future expenses: Clients may also be able to recover compensation for future medical expenses and lost wages if they require ongoing medical care or are unable to work in the same capacity as before the injury.

In general, there are several types of damages that a client may be entitled to recover in a personal injury case. These may include:

    • medical expenses

    • lost wages

    • pain and suffering

    • property damage

    • non-economic damages

    • punitive damages

The amount of compensation a client may be able to recover for each of these damages will depend on the specific circumstances of their case. Our Dover DE lawyers are all too aware of the types and severity of injuries and how they can impact a person and their family. In the end, it’s the job and the goal of experienced personal injury lawyers to recover the maximum compensation allowed under the law.

get the help you need

If You have Been Injured Due To Another's Negligence...

If you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence, it’s important to take certain steps to protect your legal rights and maximize your chances of recovering compensation. Here are some important steps to consider:

The final piece of advice is to BE PATIENT. Personal injury cases can take time to resolve. It’s important to let your lawyer handle the legal proceedings while you focus on your recovery.

What Will A Personal Injury Attorney Do For Me?

If you are a resident of Dover, DE, or for that matter anywhere in the state, and you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or intentional act, you may wonder whether you need to hire a personal injury lawyer. Here are some of the ways that personal injury lawyers can assist you:

The bottom line is a serious injury claim is a serious matter. You need time to recover. What you don’t need is emotional energy spent on medical bills and the legal issues that need to be resolved. This is the job of you Delaware personal injury lawyers, here in Dover, DE, Kent County, and throughout the state.

Why Schmittinger & Rodriguez
Is Right For You

At Schmittinger & Rodriguez, we understand how difficult and stressful it can be to deal with a serious injury. It’s traumatic, emotionally, and financially draining with mounting medical bills, time away from work, and time spent recovering.

Our team has decades of combined experience handling personal injury law, and we know how to effectively deal with insurance companies to ensure that our clients get the compensation they deserve. We also have a deep understanding of Delaware law and will provide dedicated legal representation throughout your case. Our experienced attorneys are committed to providing you with personalized attention and will fight hard to get you the best possible outcome for your case. If you or someone you love has been injured, contact Schmittinger & Rodriguez today for a free consultation so that we can help you obtain justice and fair compensation for your losses. YOUR CASE. OUR PRIORITY.

Personal Injury FAQs

How much is my personal injury case worth?

The value of a personal injury case depends on many factors, including the severity of the injury, the extent of the damages, and the liability of the responsible party.

How long will my case take?

The length of a personal injury case can vary depending on a number of factors, including the complexity of the case, the cooperation of the parties involved, and the court's schedule.

Generally, the fee charged by a personal injury attorney is 40% of the settlement amount. In some cases, depending on the complexity and severity of the case, fees may be higher. Speak with an experienced attorney at Schmittinger & Rodriguez to learn more.

Do I have to go to court to resolve my case?

While many personal injury cases are settled out of court, it may be necessary to go to trial to resolve your case if a fair settlement cannot be reached.

Should I speak to an insurance company after my injury?

It's generally recommended that you avoid speaking to an insurance company without first consulting with a personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies often try to settle for less than you deserve, and having a lawyer on your side can help protect your rights and maximize your recovery.

Can I still file a personal injury claim if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Delaware follows a comparative negligence system, which means that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still be able to recover damages in proportion to the other party's fault.

Can I file a personal injury claim for emotional distress?

Yes, in some cases you may be able to recover damages for emotional distress or mental anguish caused by the accident or injury.

Can I file a personal injury claim against a government entity?

Yes, you may be able to file a claim against a government entity if their negligence or misconduct caused your injury. However, the process for filing a claim against a government entity can be more complex and may have shorter time limits than other personal injury claims.

Skip to content