Ways to Maximize Personal Injury Compensation

If you get hurt in an accident or due to someone’s negligence, you may have the right to seek compensation for your damages. The way to seek compensation is through a personal injury claim (or lawsuit).

Personal injury compensation provides financial relief to those who may have suffered physical, mental, or emotional damage. It may help cover medical expenses, compensates for missed work, and ensures you can recuperate any other financial losses due to the injury.

Monetary damages are typically awarded through a settlement process between the two parties. However, in some cases, you may need to go to trial. At the conclusion of the trial, the court would determine what, if any, damages you are entitled to.

The compensation you receive may vary drastically from one case to the next. Still, there are some steps you can take to help ensure you get a full and fair settlement to cover your losses.

What Is Personal Injury Compensation?

Personal injury compensation refers to the monetary compensation you receive for damages caused by another. Compensation may be an agreed-upon amount (a settlement) or court-ordered after a trial.

You can be compensated for either special damages or general damages. Special damages are tangible and measurable financial losses like medical bills, property loss or damage, or lost income due to missing work.

General damages are more difficult to measure or quantify because they can include things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium. And depending on your case, you may be entitled to receive both special damages and general damages.

What To Do If You Sustain A Personal Injury & How to Maximize Compensation

If you are injured due to someone else’s negligence, it’s important to take some measures to protect yourself in case you need to seek compensation for your damages.

The first and most important thing you can do to maximize your potential compensation is to preserve all evidence related to your injury. Depending on the circumstances, try to take photos and videos and get statements from witnesses.

You should also report your injuries to the appropriate parties to ensure the incident is documented correctly. For example, if you are involved in an auto accident, be sure to contact the police to get an accident report. Or if you slip on some water in the supermarket, report the incident to the manager before you leave the store.

Keep copies of all records, statements, medical bills, receipts, and other documents you obtain. Anything related to your injuries could be relevant, so it’s critical to keep up with all potential evidence right from the start.

Seek Medical Care

If you’re injured, it’s a good idea to seek medical treatment as soon as you can. This will ensure your injuries are diagnosed and documented immediately following the incident. Plus, it will get you on the road to recovery faster.

Sometimes, insurance companies will claim that your injuries could have been caused by something else if you don’t seek medical treatment soon enough after the incident. Or they could argue that the condition worsened because you didn’t seek care immediately.

In either case, it’s in your best interest to have your injuries checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Contact An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney To File Your Claim As Soon As Possible

Don’t wait to file a claim if you’re injured. In Louisiana, you have limited time to file a claim (typically about one year). If you wait too long, you may not be able to get the compensation you’re entitled to.

Personal injury claims can be complex, and insurance companies usually look to settle quickly without considering what’s in your best interest. Retaining a personal injury attorney will ensure that someone is working on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve.

Some cases can take several years to settle, so the sooner you get the claim in progress, the sooner it can be resolved. Then, you and your family can focus on healing.

If you’ve been injured in an accident or due to someone else’s negligence, contact The Law Offices of Chip Forstall today. Never accept any settlement offers from insurance companies, individuals, or businesses without consulting with an experienced attorney.   

We are standing by to guide you through the process from start to finish and to help ensure you get the full settlement amount you’re entitled to. Remember, you don’t have to go through the process alone. Contact us today for a free consultation.