Personal Injury FAQ

1. Is this a good idea to handle the case myself without a lawyer?
2. What is negligence?
3. What does the term "liable" mean?
4. What is the process in filing a personal injury law suit?
5. What kind of monetary compensation will I get?

• Is this a good idea to handle the case myself without a lawyer?
  Insurance companies do not work for you. They cannot advise you on your legal rights, and may not fully understand them. They rarely give you a fair assessment of the value of your case and they have one goal in mind above all others--to pay you as little as possible.
• What is negligence?
  Negligence is any conduct that falls below the recognized standards of behavior established by law for the protection of others against unreasonable risks of harm. A person has acted negligently if he or she has departed from the conduct expected of a reasonably prudent person acting under the same or similar circumstances. To establish negligence, a plaintiff (the person injured) must be able to prove or demonstrate in court that the defendant (the person being sued) had a duty to the plaintiff, the defendant breached that duty by failing to conform to the required standard of conduct, the defendant’s negligent conduct was the cause of the harm to the plaintiff, and the plaintiff was, in fact, harmed or damaged.
• What does the term "liable" mean?
  The term liable generally means that a court has determined individual, company or some other entity caused, and is responsible for, another person's injury. When a defendant is found liable, he or she is generally obligated to compensate the injured party for their damages.
• What is the process in filing a personal injury law suit?
  First we usually negotiate with the insurance company. Then we file a lawsuit. For a few months we exchange paperwork with the insurance company attorneys. Next come depositions, where they question our client and we question theirs. This usually happens in a lawyer's office. Other witnesses might also be deposed. Then the insurance company might have our client examined by their doctor. Last is trial. A lawsuit might settle at any point along the way.
• What kind of monetary compensation will I get?
  Each case varies, but you may be compensated for a number of things including all medical related expenses (including physical therapy and medication), lost wages (including overtime and potential future wages), pain & suffering, emotional trauma, embarrassment, mental illness, property damage, and any fees associated with the case in your day-to-day life.