Mishaps can happen more common than we think. Those mishaps can result when an accident or injury happens to you or a loved one. If you decide to move forward with protecting your legal rights after an accident or injury, then you probably have a lot of questions you want answers to. When one person suffers harm from an accident or injury caused by someone else, that is where personal injury case disputes come into play. The one that is responsible for the injury should have an insurance company that will pay money to the person that is harmed including medical bills, pain and suffering, and other ongoing medical expenses. If your case involves medical malpractice, then your attorney will be working with other insurance companies as well as with hospital attorneys. A Broward County personal injury lawyer that will represent you at court can formalize a personal injury case. Before a lawsuit is filed, the court seeks to find others legally at fault through judgement or disputes may be resolved through formal settlement.

The two most common outcomes of a personal injury case, such as needing medical attention for an accident or property damage are the following:

  • Informal Settlement: This type of outcome usually takes the form of negotiation which is then followed by a written agreement in which both sides waive any further action. They decide to resolve the matter through an amount of payment that both sides agree on.
  • Formal Lawsuit: This type of formal personal injury case or lawsuit starts when the plaintiff files a complaint against another person, company, corporation or government agency, saying that they acted carelessly during an accident or injury that harmed them. 

Worrying about COVID-19 and the way it’s been impacting your life is understandable. It’s affected almost every area in our lives from work, to home, to businesses, to seeing friends and family. During these times law firms remain open with protocols and they will continue to make their clients top priority. A lot of the changes that have been made, however, can impact you as the claimant the most. COVID-19 can be affecting your case in many ways as follows:

  • Delays in courts
  • More pressure to settle your case
  • Losing your job or making income
  • Medical treatments that aren’t available for injuries
  • Insurance premiums that aren’t being paid
  • Interactions with your lawyer are remote

Insurance companies have taken note of these situations and how the economy has gone down. They are taking advantage of this time to be more aggressive in personal injury suits and that is the reason why you need a personal injury lawyer that will fight for your rights. Your attorney will fight for you until they get the insurance companies to pay you what you deserve. You should always consult with a lawyer before speaking with anyone from the insurance company. Also, keep in mind the changes that have been made including court closures, delays, and reduced hours during these unprecedented times. The lawyers get the latest updates on requirements during these times and they are working even harder to ensure your case is seen right away. 

Delayed Hearings and Trials

Many states are delaying jury trials to limit the spread of COVID-19. Most of the time injury cases claims don’t make it to court but if yours does then it can impact your case. Judicial districts can sometimes decide how to take care of non-jury hearings and trials while some districts are even handling cases virtually. Your personal injury lawyer will keep track on all this and help you get the compensation you deserve. Depending on the case and your court district, your lawyer will help you decide whether you should go to court virtually or wait until you can go in person.

What to Do After an Injury During a Stay-at-Home Order

A lot of people are worried to step out of the house and visit a hospital during this pandemic and those reasons are valid.  However, if you do get into an accident, medical attention is still important and necessary that way you can have a quick and safe recovery not only physically but financially as well. Hearing the opinion of a doctor can be the determining factor of whether you have a minor injury or a chronic condition that will help support your personal injury case. In these kinds of situations, telemedicine is an excellent alternative. During these times meeting with your doctor virtually has become very popular. You can either meet with them online or over the phone and they will be able to assist you and prescribe your medication without having to visit the office. Also make sure you keep a log of your pain levels during your recovery that way you can share that information with your doctor and attorney. If you do end up going to court, the log will help and provide first-hand evidence of your injuries and how it’s impacted your life. Pictures can also be useful information to have when going to court and will also help your lawyers argue your case better. It is important to take pictures from the moment your injury happens until the end. The more proof you have to show the better it is to win the case. Your evidence can be lost and potentially decrease your odds of gaining compensation if you wait too long.