When Should I Hire A Personal Attorney?
Deciding whether to use a personal injury attorney can be difficult. Here are some scenarios where a lawyer is essential for your case.
When The Injury Is Severe
If you are dealing with a minor soft tissue claim, then it may be possible to settle your claim on your own in small claims court.
If the injury is severe, such as a permanent disability or a wrongful death, then it's critical to hire a lawyer. You'll be dealing with large amounts of liability and potentially large amounts of compensation, so having the best lawyer possible can be helpful for eliminating any potential weaknesses in the case that could cause you to leave a lot of money on the table. There may be a lot of gray area in a disability case, for instance; you'll need to be able to argue the future implications of your injury including lost opportunities and medical repercussions.
When The Case Requires A Lot Of Technical Expertise
There are also times when the case will require the help of someone with a lot of medical expertise to be able to speak on your behalf. For instance, if you are subject of medical malpractice, then this will need to involve a court trial and it's important to understand the medical implications of your malpractice case. Poisonings are another area where technical input will be required, and in addition to a lawyer, you may need to put money upfront into hiring a toxicologist for your case.
When The Insurance Company Mishandled The Claim
If you need to claim that the insurance company acted in "bad faith" or mishandled your claim, then a lawyer will be needed. An insurance company has many resources to combat a claim that they acted in bad faith, so they won't come willingly; a personal injury lawyer may be able to pull apart the insurance agreement to show where they acted inappropriately.
When The Government Is Liable
If you are planning to sue a government entity for your injury, then a lawyer is almost always necessary. Look for someone with a lot of experience in dealing with government lawsuits, as there are additional guidelines and deadlines for filing claims against the government. Any of the complications mentioned in this article deserve further investigation of your case by a personal injury attorney to make sure that you are on the right track with your case.
For more information, consider contacting an attorney like those at the Gartner Law Firm.