People file personal injury claims with the help of lawyers after being injured. Personal injury claims help recover medical expenses and other costs. It is important to file personal injury claims as quickly after the injury occurs as possible in order to properly document your injury, meet all legal timelines and recover damages sooner.
A personal injury is any type of injury you receive to your person. This means that property is not included, but emotional, mental, psychological, physical and defamation damage (injury to your reputation) is included. Personal injuries happen for many reasons, including car accidents, assaults, abuse, slips and falls, workplace injuries, false and libelous publications and medical mistakes.
Many people do not realize they can seek legal help for their injuries. You do not have the ability to file a personal injury claim only if the injury was caused by your own behavior or actions. If it was because of someone else’s inappropriate actions, negligence, faulty product, etc., you have good reason to file a claim. If you are still unsure whether or not you should file a claim, remember that most attorneys will assess your case at no cost, and will not require any money up front. Injuries can cost thousands of dollars, and when you consider the expenses, factor in:
- immediate medical expenses
- emergency costs
- future medical treatment
- rehabilitation costs
- cost of supplies, medicine, etc.
- lost wages
- future lost earnings
- in case of death, funeral and burial expenses
When injuries happen because of someone else’s negligence or actions, these expenses might not be your responsibility. For example, if your child is injured on someone else’s property because that person failed to take proper safety precautions, you could seek compensation based on “attractive nuisance” laws. If you are injured in a workplace or offshore accident, you could seek compensation under worker’s compensation or maritime laws. If you are injured because of hospital negligence or medical malpractice, you could seek compensation by filing a malpractice claim.
Attorneys can help you file personal injury claims, and they will help you follow that claim through the entire legal process. It is important to have good representation because insurance companies, doctors and other people involved with your injury will have representation as well. Your responsibilities, besides finding a personal injury attorney and filing a personal injury claim, includes:
- receiving immediate medical treatment
- keeping up-to-date and accurate records of
- when the injury occurred
- how it occurred
- the resulting injuries
- the medical treatment you received
- the costs involved
- your healing process
