Choosing whether or not to move forward with a lawsuit is a big decision, and it can be intimidating. However, it’s important to remember that the law exists to protect you and uphold your rights. If someone else’s unlawful or negligent behavior has caused you to suffer a loss, you may have a right to compensation.
Here, we’ve looked at the top 10 reasons to sue when you’ve had an accident in Pennsylvania.
Concerns about money are among the main reasons why people put off visiting lawyers. However, most personal injury firms offer free initial consultations, and ours is no exception. If you want to learn more about pursuing compensation without committing to anything, schedule a visit today.
Once you get past the consultation phase, there’s more good news when it comes to money. Most firms (including the Cochran Firm in Philadelphia) will carry out personal injury litigation on a no-win/no-fee basis.
So, unless we secure a verdict or settlement on your behalf, we won’t charge you anything. If you do receive a payout, we’ll charge a percentage of it as our fee; this number will be based on various features of your case, such as whether or not it goes to trial.
It’s no secret that medical care can get extremely expensive in the United States. According to HealthCare.gov, the average cost of a 3-day stay in hospital in the U.S. is $30,000; if you sustain serious injuries, the overall expenses you incur could be much greater.
If you suffer harm due to someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to shoulder these massive bills by yourself. A personal injury lawsuit may be the only way for you to get the compensation you need.
Sadly, for many accident victims, the financial troubles don’t finish with medical bills. If your accident-related injuries prevent you from going back to work, you could be left without an income.
Personal injury lawsuits can provide a solution to this as well. If you succeed with legal action, the at-fault party may be required to pay a percentage of your lost earnings for the duration of your disability.
You should note that, if your injury came about because of work, you should be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, as we’ll discuss later in this post, securing these benefits isn’t always straightforward.
Physical injuries aren’t the only potential source of compensation in personal injury cases. If you suffer damage to your property (such as your car, your home, or another valuable item), you’re entitled to pursue a payout for this as well.
The emotional difficulties that follow a bad accident can be as debilitating as physical harm. Conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can require years of therapy and may even impact your ability to work.
Compensation for losses that cannot be easily measured in financial terms is known as noneconomic damages, or “pain and suffering” damages. Because there are no medical bills, wage slips, or other such direct indicators of how much this compensation should amount to, the subjective judgment of the court plays a major role in calculating them.
Workers’ compensation is designed to protect employees from unexpected injuries in the workplace. If you sustain a work-related injury or illness, workers’ compensation should cover a percentage of your lost earnings and your medical bills.
Crucially, though, your condition must be work related if you’re to qualify for these benefits. Employers and workers’ compensation insurance providers often deny claims on the basis that injuries and illnesses may have non-work-related origins.
If this happens, you may be left with no option but to file a lawsuit. This type of legal action can get highly technical, as it tends to require the input of medical experts regarding the nature and cause of your health condition. If you get involved in a dispute like this, you’ll need a workers’ compensation lawyer who has experience with high-value cases and a network of quality consultants to rely upon.
That’s exactly what you’ll find at the Cochran Firm in Philadelphia.
As well as the direct compensation you receive for your economic and noneconomic losses, you might also be entitled to an additional payment. Punitive damages seek to punish defendants, rather than compensate plaintiffs. Courts award them in more serious cases to discourage egregious conduct by the defendant and others in future cases.
You should note, though, that punitive damages are the exception, not the rule. Pennsylvania case law sets out that conduct that is merely negligent is not sufficient for an award of punitive damages; the defendant must engage in willful misconduct or behave with a reckless disregard for the rights of others.
We do realize that lawsuits can be a stressful and daunting process, but there’s no need to worry. Your lawyer will be able to talk you through the entire process and help you with the paperwork.
The most important thing is to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident, and to be completely honest. Keep in mind that there is usually a two-year time limit (known as a statute of limitations) for filing a lawsuit in Pennsylvania.
Leave financial considerations aside for one moment. Do you really want to let a negligent person or entity get away with injuring you, damaging your property, and causing you all the associated stress and hardship?
Don’t take it lying down. Consult with a personal injury lawyer and plan your pursuit of justice.
Are you looking for the right lawyer for your case? The Cochran Firm Philadelphia office would love to hear from you. Simply call 800-969-4400 or visit our website to schedule your appointment.
Our practice handles cases in the following areas: auto accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, police misconduct, product liability, premises liability, birth injury, and more.
