"In this book, I examine every aspect of personal injury litigation, from attracting new clients to jury trials, and beyond. The personal injury laws vary from state to state and between state and federal court. Since 1983, I have been a trial lawyer in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Much of the information presented involves those experiences. The law in your state may be different. Nevertheless, there is much uniformity throughout the states. The information in this book can be used by personal injury litigants and their counsel in any state. You may have to refer to local sources for the law or practice that applies to your situation". -- INTRODUCTION.

Everyone has an opinion about personal injury litigation. Many people feel that the right to sue for injuries should be severely limited in hopes that insurance costs will decrease. Others fear that legislation enacted to restrict the right to sue will make big business, the insurance industry, and medical practitioners less accountable to the public. They also fear the loss of financial compensation for injuries caused by a negligent or careless act. In this book, I examine every aspect of personal injury litigation, from attracting new clients to jury trials, and beyond. The personal injury laws vary from state to state and between state and federal court. Since 1983, I have been a trial lawyer in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Much of the information presented involves those experiences. The law in your state may be different. Nevertheless, there is much uniformity throughout the states. The information in this book can be used by personal injury litigants and their counsel in any state. You may have to refer to local sources for the law or practice that applies to your situation. The law is dynamic and ever-changing. It is flexible enough to accommodate a changing world. When the first automobile accident lawsuit was filed, the judge was not deterred by the fact that there were no automobile laws for guidance. The judge simply looked to the legal logic of horse-and-buggy cases. Similarly, when new technologies cause injuries in the future, the law will evolve to accommodate this. The federal and state legislatures constantly pass new laws. The courts rule every day on disputes that require interpretation of new laws and old. When a court decides a dispute, the court's ruling becomes precedent for the future. In other words, the interpretations that the judges dispense become the laws by which future litigants can be guided. This concept is known by the Latin term stare decisis. Sample Forms and Worksheets A book like this one cannot possibly include every procedural requirement of every jurisdiction in our country. The sample forms provided are general in nature, but are designed to give you a good idea of the types of forms that are used in most locations. Your state, county, and/or judge will have rules and forms that are not included in this book. Check with the court clerk and/or court website for your case to review any local rules and forms that apply. Often, such forms require the same information as the forms in this book, and are merely laid out differently or use slightly different language. You must follow the court's rules and use its forms. When those forms conflict with mine, use theirs.

This is the standard reference work for general damages in personal injury claims, and essential reading for all those involved in the area of personal injury. The Guidelines are designed to provide a clear and logical framework for the assessment of general damages while leaving the discretion of the assessor unfettered, since every case must depend to a degree on its own facts. They provide an invaluable guide to all those involved in personal injury litigation. As with previous editions, all judges involved in hearing personal injury cases will automatically receive a copy of the book. This eleventh edition has been fully updated to take account of inflation and decisions made in the two years since the previous edition and includes a foreword written by The Right Honourable Dame Janet Smith DBE.

James L. Paisley has dedicated his career to practicing personal injury law, and he is here to tell you that it's not rocket science-but it is a methodical discipline. From dog bites to car crashes, The Injury Case Playbook: A Start to Finish Guide to Winning Your Injury Case is a great first-stop guide to understanding personal injury. By using his past cases, with personable prose as well as photos and professional knowledge amassed over a decade, Paisley, along with J.D. Candidate R. Alex Martinez, helps to explain the nuances and details of what goes into each personal injury case. This book gives professional guidance and teaches anyone, not just attorneys, how to create a successful case.

The Law Offices of MJG, PLLC is focused on taking care of our community and offering our assistance whenever necessary. With 30+ years of experience in the area of personal injury, our goal for this book is to inform and educate the public on all areas of personal injury.