A Personal injury lawyer is a legal professional who helps people who have been hurt in an accident or by the negligence of another person or company. A good attorney will be skilled in negotiating with insurance companies, and he or she can also take your case to trial if necessary. Having a reputable New York personal injury attorney on your side will help you get the compensation you deserve to put your life back together after an accident.
Proving Fault
One of the most difficult aspects of a personal injury case is proving that someone else was negligent in causing your injuries and losses. A lawyer will carefully examine police reports, interview witnesses, review medical records and consult with experts to help build a strong case for you.
Once your lawyer has enough evidence to make a case, they will begin the process of filing a lawsuit against the responsible party. They will also prepare written questions that you will answer under oath called interrogatories, and they will conduct depositions, which are formal interviews with other parties in the case. A skilled personal injury attorney will also be experienced in the discovery process and will work to obtain all of the evidence needed to prove your claim.
Medical Malpractice
Injuries can be devastating, especially if they are severe. Many of these injuries are caused by medical treatment that is either negligent or insufficient. When this happens, a victim can file a personal injury lawsuit against the doctor and/or hospital that treated them. Attorneys in this area of law specialize mainly in litigation against healthcare providers and hospitals.
Product Liability
If you suffered an injury or loss because of a defective product, a personal injury lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against the manufacturer and any other business that touched the product along the stream of commerce. This area of personal injury law is a subset of general tort litigation.
Workers’ Compensation
If your injury was the result of an incident at work, you may be eligible for worker’s compensation. A personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim and negotiate with your employer’s insurance carrier to secure the maximum benefits available under the law.
Social Security Disability Claims
It can be a long and frustrating process to seek approval for Social Security disability benefits. A lawyer can help you fill out the proper paperwork, file it on time and help you avoid mistakes that could delay or deny your claim. In some cases, a personal injury attorney can even handle the entire appeals process on your behalf.
Damages
If you are injured in an accident, you will probably be entitled to monetary damages to pay for your medical bills, lost wages and property damage. Your personal injury attorney will determine what kind of damages you are entitled to under the law, which includes special and general damages. Special damages are measurable costs that can be easily itemized such as your medical bills and lost income, and general damages are harder to quantify and include intangibles such as pain and suffering.