Personal Injury Claims
Complete guide to handling minor injury claims in small claims court.
Minor Personal Injury Claims
Small claims court can handle minor injuries from accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, and out-of-pocket medical costs when damages stay within your state's limits.
What Small Claims CAN Handle
- •Minor injuries from car accidents (soft tissue, sprains)
- •Out-of-pocket medical costs not covered by insurance
- •Dog bites causing minor injuries
- •Slip and fall with small medical bills
- •Lost wages from short-term injury
- •Minor burns, cuts, or bruises from negligence
What Requires Different Courts
- •Serious or permanent injuries
- •Complex medical cases requiring expert testimony
- •Claims exceeding state small claims limits
- •Workers' compensation claims
- •Medical malpractice
- •Product liability with serious harm
Common Scenarios
Minor Car Accident Injury
Fender bender caused whiplash or soft tissue injury. You have out-of-pocket costs for urgent care, chiropractor visits, or medications not fully covered by insurance.
Dog Bite Injury
Neighbor's dog bit you causing puncture wounds requiring medical attention, antibiotics, and potentially a tetanus shot. Owner refuses to cover costs.
Slip and Fall
Slipped on wet floor at store or icy sidewalk at apartment complex. Resulted in sprained ankle or wrist, with ER visit and follow-up care costs.
Lost Wages from Injury
Minor injury caused you to miss work for several days or weeks. You have documented lost income and medical clearance showing when you could return.
Evidence You Should Gather
Personal injury cases require strong documentation of both the injury and resulting costs. Gather these items before filing.
Medical Records
- Emergency room or urgent care records
- Doctor's notes and diagnoses
- Physical therapy or specialist records
- Prescription records
- Medical release to return to work
Photos & Visual Evidence
- Photos of injury (bruises, cuts, swelling)
- Photos of accident scene or hazard
- Photos of damaged property or clothing
- Timeline photos showing healing process
Communications
- Incident report (police, store, workplace)
- Witness statements and contact info
- Communications with property owner
- Demand letter sent before filing
Financial Records
- Medical bills and receipts
- Insurance explanation of benefits (EOB)
- Pay stubs showing lost wages
- Transportation costs to medical appointments
Critical Information for Personal Injury Claims
Pro Tip: Seek Medical Care Immediately
Gaps in treatment can weaken your case. See a doctor right away and follow their treatment plan. Courts view delayed treatment as a sign the injury wasn't serious.
Calculate All Your Damages
Include medical bills, lost wages, transportation to appointments, over-the-counter medications, and any assistive devices you needed. Keep all receipts.
Document the Scene Right Away
Photograph the hazard, get witness names, and report the incident. Evidence can disappear quickly - stores may fix hazards, and memories fade.
Wait Until You've Fully Healed
Don't file too early. Once you settle or get a judgment, you can't ask for more money if complications arise later. Wait until treatment is complete.
Example Case + How This Site Helps
Example: You had a minor slip-and-fall with out-of-pocket medical costs.
A store spill was left unaddressed, causing a minor injury. You are pursuing limited medical bills and lost wages within small claims limits.
Typical claim range: $1,000-$8,000
What to collect first
- Incident report and scene photos
- Medical bills, treatment notes, and work absence proof
- Witness contact info and follow-up statements
Confirm fit and priorities
Start with the quiz so the app can steer you toward the right dispute flow and state rules.
Take the quizOrganize evidence and timeline
Use Case Manager to track facts, deadlines, and uploads so your story is clear and ready for court.
Open Case ManagerPrepare your pre-filing package
Generate a demand letter and supporting documents to improve settlement chances before filing.
Build demand packagePlan filing and hearing prep
Use filing guidance, calendar, and statement tools so you can submit correctly and present clearly.
Review filing stepsReady to Assess Your Injury Claim?
Take our intake quiz to organize your facts and see if small claims is right for your situation.
Legal Disclaimer
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Laws vary by state and locality, and information may be outdated. No attorney-client relationship is created. Consult a licensed attorney for advice about your specific situation. See our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.