Each year, millions of Americans are injured as the result of car accidents, slip and fall incidents, defective products, medical malpractice, and workplace accidents. It’s impossible to predict these unfortunate incidents and many can be life altering, resulting in lost wages or even long-term disability. Here we’ve provided the steps involved with building a personal injury case so that you can be properly prepared to pursue damages from an employer or negligent party.
Hiring A Personal Injury Lawyer
The first step in building your case is to consult with a personal injury lawyer. By hiring a trained professional to review the circumstances of your injury, you increase your odds significantly of securing compensation. You’ll want to take the time to conduct your own research when selecting legal counsel. Identifying a firm with a strong track record in your specific type of personal injury case is important to give yourself the best chance of negotiating a favorable settlement.
Investigation Phase
After you’ve selected a personal injury lawyer to represent you, your legal counsel will then conduct a thorough investigation of your injury. This includes reviewing medical records, securing police reports, gathering witness testimony, and coordinating with subject matter experts. This is one of the most valuable benefits of hiring a firm to represent your case, as these investigations often require resources and manpower that you otherwise wouldn’t have access to. Your lawyer will also typically review your annual wages and employment to determine what compensation you may be eligible for in the event that you’re no longer able to return to work.
Demand Letter
Once your lawyer has completed their investigation of your injury and the circumstances surrounding it, you’ll then work together to create a demand package for the guilty party. This letter typically consists of damages related to lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. The other legal party will then decide whether or not to reject, accept, or counter these demands. The majority of personal injury cases typically end in settlements following a series of negotiations involving an independent mediator, but in the event that both parties cannot come to an agreement, your case may proceed to trial.
The Trial
Statistics show that as many as 90% of personal injury cases that go to trial end unfavorably for the plaintiff. In some circumstances, the plaintiff may also be required to pay the attorney fees for the defendant, which is why it’s very important to evaluate all these risks before moving forward with your case. This is why it’s crucial to select a personal injury lawyer with experience in obtaining settlements and successfully arguing cases in court. At Huber & Palsir, our firm has over 29 years of experience representing clients in high-profile cases and have secured settlements ranging from $200K-$3.9M. Contact us for a consultation to review all of your personal injury and workers’ compensation needs.
