A personal injury lawyer, also known as a plaintiff lawyer, provides legal representation to clients who have been harmed, physically or emotionally, due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another person, company or government entity. Typical cases handled by personal injury attorneys involve work injuries, automobile accidents, defective products, medical mistakes and slip and fall accidents. These lawyers specialize in tort law, which deals with damage to a person’s property, reputation or rights, as well as civil infractions.