Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You About Injury Lawsuit

How the Injury Lawsuit Process Works

If you've been injured in an accident, filing an injury lawsuit can help you obtain damages to cover medical expenses and make up for lost income. Many people are unsure about the process of litigation.

In this blog post, we will discuss five litigation milestones that every personal injury case must go through.

Time to File

Each state has a statute of limitations which defines the time period after an accident to start a lawsuit. If you do not file your claim within the time frame, it will most likely be dismissed.

After a case has been filed and the parties begin a discovery process that involves exchanging documents as well as witness testimony and depositions. Depending on the complexity of your case, this could take months.

A reputable lawyer will submit a settlement request. Your lawyer will only be able to make this demand once you have reached maximum medical improvement.

If you were injured by a government agency or a medical professional working for the government, you may be subject to additional time limits to comply with in addition the general statute of limitations. These are often referred to by the terms "discovery rule" or "equitable tolling", and are very specific for each situation. Your attorney can explain them in greater depth. Generally these cases can be resolved more quickly than others.

Statute of limitations

If you want to maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation, it's essential to file an injury lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. These deadlines apply to a variety of different types of personal injury cases, including car accidents medical malpractice claims, product liability claims and wrongful deaths claims.

In most states, "the clock" of the statute of limitations begins to run on the day you've been injured. There are a few exceptions to this rule, which could cause it to stop in certain circumstances. For instance the discovery rule permits you to file a case after you have discovered (or should have discovered with reasonable care) the injury.

The statute of limitations can also be shortened or extended in some cases for instance, when the plaintiff is young or mentally disabled. It is best to speak with an experienced attorney for injury to determine the particular time limit that applies to your situation. If you try to bring a lawsuit after the statute of limitation has expired the court may dismiss your case. This could have devastating implications on the victim as well as their family.

Damages

A person who wins in an injury lawsuit is entitled to compensation. These could include funds to cover the cost of the victim's medical treatment and lost wages as well as the costs caused by an accident. Other types of damages compensate someone who is suffering from emotional distress or injury lost enjoyment because of an accident.

The jury will decide the amount of damages according to the evidence that is presented in court. Your lawyer will argue that the defendant did not perform the act with the same level of care that reasonable people would have used in the same situation which resulted in your injury attorney.

Special damages, such as the cost of replacing or repairing damaged property or lost wages when an injury prevents you from working or causes you to take a vacation or sick leave are easy to determine. General damages are also referred to as pain and suffering. They are more difficult to calculate. A lot of attorneys and insurance companies use a multiplier to determine the amount of general damages, such as a factor of 1.5 to 5. Severe injuries will generally lead to higher general damage awards than minor or short-lasting injuries.

Mediation

While it's not a mandatory part of any injury case it can be used to settle disputes without having a judge or jury decide the outcome. You can discuss your concerns at the mediation with a neutral third party known as mediator.

The mediator will ask questions to determine the amount you want in your settlement and what your expectations are. Then, both sides will have a private discussion with the mediator. After that, you'll go back and forth with counteroffers and offers in order to come to a resolution.

Both the party responsible for the negligence and the victim of injury would like to go to trial and so the aim is to settle in mediation. This is an essential step to avoid the long and stressful process of litigation. Most injury cases settle at mediation, even those involving the most renowned insurance companies. Pfeifer Morgan & Stesiak will assist you in negotiating the settlement that is most suitable for you, no matter if you've been injured in an accident at work or in an auto accident. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a no-cost consultation. We can meet at a convenient location near Pittsburgh or Monroeville.

Trial

Although the majority of cases of injury are settled out of court, your attorney may decide that a trial is required. This will depend on your personal circumstances, the evidence you provide and the settlement offer from the defendant's insurer.

During the trial, your attorney will present a defense of peers to a jury. The jury is responsible for determining if the defendant was negligent and in the event of negligence, what compensation you'll receive to cover your injuries, injury expenses and financial losses.

During the trial the lawyer will use evidence to prove that the negligence of the defendant contributed to your injuries and financial damages are required to cover your losses and expenses. The defense will present evidence to defend themselves against your allegations and prevent them from owing you money. The jury will then deliberate after both sides have made their closing arguments. The verdict, handed down by the judge or jury in a bench trial, will determine whether the defendant was negligent and, if so, what amount of financial damages you should be awarded.