Being injured in a car accident, a workplace mishap, or slipping and falling in a public place can result in a plethora of inconveniences, medical bills, and physical and emotional pain. Most people file a personal injury case against the responsible party to pay for the cost of damages and injuries. According to recent data, there are around 1.5 million personal injury cases yearly.
If someone’s carelessness causes hurt, you have every right to seek compensation since the cost of treatment and rehabilitation can be significant. Moreover, suppose the injury caused you to miss work or impaired your ability to do your job. In that case, you deserve adequate compensation since you still need to pay your rent, utility bills, car payments, tuition fees, and other financial obligations.
Fortunately, several ways exist to seek redress from injuries or damage caused by another person’s negligence. To get justice, here are the different types of compensation and legal avenues for those affected by personal injury.
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Types of Compensation
According to legal experts at Pennsylvania-based firm Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo, plaintiffs can get two types of compensation from a personal injury claim. The first one is economic damages, and this type of compensation pays your financial losses. These damages include medical bills from the injury or accident, lost wages due to absences or sick days that you had to take to get treatment and recuperate from the injury, future medical bills if the injuries require you to get additional care or therapy in the coming months or years, and future lost earnings if the personal injury has hindered your ability to do your job.
Apart from all those mentioned above, you may also receive compensation if the injury affects your overall well-being and quality of life, called compensation for non-economic damages, including payment for pain and suffering. Since many types of injuries can cause discomfort or severe physical pain, your lawyer can help you to get adequately compensated for it.
Apart from pain and suffering, non-economic damages may also include emotional distress. After all, a severe accident can cause disfigurement or paralysis, and these can hurt mental health. It may also cause you to develop anxiety, phobias, or PTSD, which are valid reasons to include emotional distress in your personal injury claim.
Settlement
The majority of personal injury cases end in settlement. For most people, this is the most favorable way to get compensation since you do not have to go to court, which can be tedious. Moreover, you will receive a specified sum for damages and losses through a settlement.
Negotiating a settlement may seem simple, but it is pretty tricky, especially if you want to get the maximum amount for your claim. By having an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side, there is a greater chance of a favorable outcome since your attorney can negotiate on your behalf to ensure fair compensation. Your attorney can also settle your case through informal discussions with the other party and put the final agreement in writing.
File a Lawsuit
Sometimes, filing a personal injury lawsuit may be the only recourse for proper compensation. Plaintiffs may choose this option if the settlement negotiations fall through. During the settlement process, there is always a chance that the responsible party’s insurance company may refuse to make a fair or acceptable offer. If you choose a low offer or go to court, your lawyer may advise you to proceed with the lawsuit.
Your personal injury attorney may also recommend filing a lawsuit if the statute of limitations expires. Remember that plaintiffs have only a specific period to file a lawsuit, which depends on your state’s laws and the cause of your injury. For instance, if you live in Pennsylvania and were in a car accident, you only have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim.
The lawsuit can take months to about three years, so you will need to spend time and money on it. If you choose this option, have a lawyer with proven litigation experience to ensure a successful outcome.
If injured due to the negligence of others, you deserve appropriate compensation for your injuries and losses. Consult a legal expert to know your options, and work with them to get the maximum settlement or have your case ruled in your favor.
