Is My Case Big Enough for a Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle?
A minor injury resulting from another party’s negligence may not seem a matter for a personal injury lawyer. In many cases, it is not. However, what starts out as an apparently minor injury can often worsen.
Perhaps the lacerations you received from the injury end up disfiguring you. Low-level discomfort could morph into serious pain if the injury involved nerve damage.
Not all injuries are physical. The trauma from the incident could cause psychological damage. In California, it is possible to receive compensation for mental anguish and emotional distress relating to an injury, depending upon the circumstances.
In truth, you do not know whether your case is big enough for a personal injury lawyer until you contact an attorney and find out. The Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at Ellis Injury Law will listen to your story and advise you on potential compensation.
Every case is unique
Every case and situation is unique. Whether you have a case depends on the details. It also depends on evidence. That is why it is imperative to document any such injuries at the scene. Use your cellphone to take photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Get the contact information of the person responsible and any eyewitnesses.
Report the accident immediately. That is true whether it involves a car, a fall in the supermarket due to wet floors, or a trip in the parking lot because of uneven pavement. While car accidents are reported to the police, report any slip and fall accidents to the property owner or store manager. If there is no video or photographic evidence and no documentation that the incident occurred, it is much harder to prove a case.
Seek medical attention
If you were the victim of any sort of personal injury, whether it involves a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, or any negligent or deliberate action by another party, it is critical to seek prompt medical attention.
Too many people think their injuries are not that bad and avoid going to the emergency room or an urgent care center. They may decide to wait a while and go to the doctor if necessary. Their condition worsens, and by the time they obtain a medical examination, a week or more may have passed. Do not make that mistake if you are injured.
Failure to seek medical attention right away can harm your case. The insurance company might allege that your injuries were unrelated to the incident caused by another entity. At the least, they will claim your injuries are not that serious because you waited for diagnosis and treatment.
Medical bills and lost wages
If the injury incurred medical bills beyond basic over-the-counter remedies, or if you lost any time from work because you were hurt, you should definitely consult a lawyer. Maybe you did not lose time from work per se but cannot perform the same type of job while healing and experienced financial loss.
Personal injury damages
Besides medical expenses and lost wages, personal injury damages, or compensation, may include:
- Property damage
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
A personal injury lawyer knows the fair value of a client’s compensation and will fight aggressively with the insurance company do you may receive the compensation you deserve.
The statute of limitations in California for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the injury. After that, a case cannot go forward in court. Although you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible, gradual impairment from the injury may occur. A medical examination can determine whether the source of the disability was the original injury.
Contact a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to another party’s negligence, contact the personal injury attorneys at Ellis Injury Law. Call or text us 24/7 to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation, or submit our online form.
After reviewing your claim, we will let you know your options. Our dedicated attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless you receive compensation.