People assume that attorneys are for the wealthy or those going through a heated legal battle in divorce or child custody cases. But an attorney is necessary for other times in life, including when you sustain an injury.
Not every incident will require a lawyer, but you would be foolish to assume that the insurers will go out of their way to care for you—in some situations, your own provider could actively work to deny your claim.
Attorneys put their clients first, not the insurers. But there are some specific instances where you should call a personal injury attorney. If any of the following five things have happened to you, it’s time to seek legal counsel:
1. You were in a car accident that wasn’t your fault.
If you were in a car accident and got injured, but it wasn’t your fault, you could have a personal injury case on your hands. In this case, you would likely want to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. An attorney like those at injurylawpalmbeach.com can help you navigate this process and get the compensation you deserve.
2. You were injured at work due to someone else’s negligence.
If you were injured while on the job, and it was due to someone else’s negligence (like a coworker, the cleaning crew, or your boss), you may be able to file a personal injury claim against your employer. You’ll need to prove that the accident was due to someone else’s negligence and not your own.
3. You used a defective product.
Suppose you were using a product as intended and got injured because it was defective in its manufacturing. You may be able to file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer. This type of incident would qualify as a case of “product liability.” An attorney can help you determine if you have a valid product liability case.
4. You slipped and fell on someone else’s property.
If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, and it was due to their negligence (like a wet floor with no warning sign, or a broken step they were aware of), you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the property owner. Again, you’ll need to prove that the accident was due to someone else’s negligence for your claim to be successful.
This kind of case can be tricky to prove, however. If the slip and fall was an accident, or the property owner can prove they weren’t aware of the safety hazard, the case won’t hold.
5. You were injured due to medical malpractice.
If you were injured or got sick due to a doctor’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the doctor or hospital. This type of case would fall under “medical malpractice.” While there are some monetary limits to what you can win in medical malpractice cases in certain states, this kind of serious personal injury (or even death) is usually a strong case. You’ll need to show that the medical professional’s failure to meet the standard of care led to your injuries.
Knowing Your Rights and Finding the Right Representation
If you’ve been injured in any of these ways, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case and your rights. They can help you determine if you have a valid claim and, if so, how to proceed with taking legal action.