A good injury lawyer can make a difference in the outcome of your case. They can help you understand complicated legal procedures and medical and insurance jargon, as well as get through the mountain of paperwork required in personal injury cases. They also have the skill and experience to negotiate with insurance company representatives who are looking for every opportunity to deny or reduce your claim.
They also have the skills to litigate in a courtroom, which is important because many injury cases must be decided by a jury. The right injury lawyer can present your case in a way that will most appeal to the judge who will preside over your case.
When a lawyer first meets with you, they listen carefully and ask questions to ensure that all relevant information is captured. Then they perform a thorough liability analysis by reviewing statutes, case law and other legal precedents that may apply to your situation. This process can take time, especially when the case involves multiple parties and complex issues.
For example, in a medical malpractice case where a doctor provides substandard care to a patient and that patient is severely injured as a result, the injury lawyer can file a claim not only against the physician who provided the negligent treatment but the clinic the physician works for because of a legal doctrine called vicarious liability. They can also file a claim against the hospital where the patient was treated because of a medical malpractice claim alleging negligence by one of its doctors on the job.
Similarly, in a workers’ compensation case where a worker is seriously injured on the job and can’t work, the injury lawyer can investigate all possible avenues for compensation, including compensatory damages that would cover lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering and other costs. They can also assist with filing for Social Security disability benefits, which can be a lengthy and complicated process that requires the assistance of a knowledgeable lawyer to improve the chances of approval.
It is not unusual for an injury case to take several years to complete. This is due to a variety of factors, such as the court’s busy schedule and the fact that some investigations, such as witness questioning or collecting evidence from the accident scene, can add significant time to the length of a case.
It is also not uncommon for injuries to have long-term effects on a person’s life, such as an inability to work and ongoing medical treatment. It is therefore essential that the right injury lawyer is hired to represent you as early on in the process as possible to give the best chance of obtaining a full and fair settlement for your losses. A good injury attorney will provide you with honest feedback about the merits of your case and will never push you to accept a low-ball offer that will leave you struggling to make ends meet. They will even help you with your insurance claims so that you are not left with unpaid bills or debts, resulting in stress and anxiety that should be compensated by the at-fault party.