People are injured because of someone else’s negligence every day. Injuries can be minor, like bruises and scrapes, or they can be very serious or even life-threatening. Insurance companies represent property owners and employers and pay millions of dollars for personal injuries every year. Personal injury cases can be caused by car accidents, dog bites, slip and fall incidents, medical malpractice, unsafe work conditions, and more. These insurance companies try to keep settlement costs to a minimum.
1 Minnesota Personal Injury Attorneys Help Injury Victims
When you are injured, learn about personal injury claims and the best attorneys to contact. First, a personal injury lawyer is one who represents people who have been injured because of the negligence of others. These lawyers will help injury victims or their families get through the complicated insurance and legal process and obtain fair financial compensation.
The health and financial damages can include physical injuries, pain and suffering, medical bills, lost earnings, property damage, rehabilitation costs, and more. The lawyer can function as a representative and go-between with the victim and the liable party, giving the victim a chance to focus on healing and rebuilding their lives after a severe injury.
2 A Range of Injuries Can Result From Accidents
Injuries commonly occurring as a result of an accident include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain injuries
- Ankle, wrist, knee, and hip injuries
- Broken bones and compression fractures
- Vision loss or impairment
- Burn injuries
- Lost limbs or amputations
- Serious cuts and abrasions
- Scarring and loss of limb use
These and other injuries can impact the victim’s life and ability to continue working to earn a living. Some injuries are severe enough to cause death. But, insurance companies representing property owners and employers will try to reject compensation claims, blame the victim, or offer settlements so small they do not cover basic medical expenses.
3 Is There an Actionable Claim?
Not all personal injuries qualify for compensation or an actionable claim. It is essential to consult a lawyer early in a consultation to determine if a compensation case is there. A personal injury law firm will know all the complicated laws and legal conditions that apply to personal injury cases. There must be actionable legal grounds to hold the defendant responsible. The burden of proof lies with the injured party and their lawyer.
4 Steps to Take in the Personal Injury Case Process
There are a series of steps to take once you have been injured and want to seek compensation.
- Get medical treatment for the injuries.
- Find out who is legally responsible for the injuries
- Notify the responsible person a claim is being filed
- Find evidence to support your claim, including getting witness statements
- Make a demand for compensation
- Make an effort to negotiate a fair settlement amount
- Prepare a court case if an agreement is not reached
- Sign the settlement release agreement if a settlement is reached
If the injuries and financial losses are severe enough to affect the victim’s life adversely, the victim is sure the fault lies with a specific person. It is time to contact a lawyer. The lawyer assists in following the steps to file and win a personal injury claim.
When a person is in the hospital or at home trying to recover from their injuries, it is hard to communicate effectively with the liable party or insurance company. For example, a law firm can act on the injured party’s behalf to negotiate or go to court to obtain fair compensation for their client.
