If you were seriously hurt or injured, it may not have been your fault. If this is the case, you can work with a personal injury lawyer to receive compensation. An experienced lawyer will guide you through each step of the legal process. The personal injury lawyers at Sokolove Law have decades of experience and will work tirelessly to get you compensation.
What is a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer can help you receive compensation if you become sick or hurt due to someone else’s negligence.
While there are many factors that may cause a personal injury, some are directly out of your control. The actions of a company or another person can cause you to develop permanent or life-changing health issues.
In 2017 alone, employers reported that over 2.8 million people suffered from a workplace injury or illness, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Many more are injured from serious falls, medical malpractice, and everyday accidents.
Personal injuries do not only harm your health. They can also severely damage your finances. For serious or long-term health issues, the costs of care can drive you into bankruptcy – even if you have insurance.
If you are concerned about these medical costs, consult a personal injury lawyer. An experienced lawyer will work to get you financial compensation from those who caused you harm.
This compensation can help pay for:
- Loss of income (if you could not work)
- Medications
- Surgeries
- Therapy and outpatient treatment
- Other expenses related to your illness
While there are thousands of personal injury attorneys, not all of them can get you the compensation you deserve. For best results, work with an attorney who has experience in handling cases similar to yours.
Over the last 4 decades, the lawyers at Sokolove Law have gained the experience and resources needed to handle almost any type of personal injury case. Our lawyers may be able to help you receive compensation.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?
On your own, filing a lawsuit can seem very confusing or even impossible. Because of this, it is not in your best interest to represent yourself. Working with an experienced lawyer will make the legal process easier for you and increase your chances of receiving compensation.
A personal injury lawyer will handle the complicated legal aspects of a lawsuit and guide it from start to finish. You get to focus on recovering and staying healthy without the added legal stress.
An experienced personal injury lawyer:
Helps File Your Lawsuit
Ultimately, you are the one who files the lawsuit — but by working with a lawyer, the process can be much easier.
To file a lawsuit, you will need to fill out legal documents that are often complex and hard to understand. If you make a mistake, your lawsuit could be delayed or dismissed. Your lawyer can help you understand these documents so you can fill them out correctly.
Understands Statutes of Limitations
Even if your legal paperwork is free of errors, some lawsuits are unsuccessful because they are filed too late. Each state has statutes of limitations, which are laws that determine when you can file a lawsuit.
These laws vary by state, and there are special rules for certain injuries or illnesses. Without a solid understanding of these laws, you may never be able to receive compensation.
For this reason, it is essential that you work with a personal injury lawyer. An experienced lawyer will understand the statutes of limitations in your case, and help you file a lawsuit before time runs out.
In particular, lawyers at national law firms will have access to statutes of limitations for every state. Since Sokolove Law is a national firm, our lawyers can help you understand these rules and file your lawsuit no matter where you live.
Builds Your Case
After your lawsuit is filed, your lawyer will start preparing your case. They will work to prove that your harm was caused by the negligence of another person or party.
To do this, your lawyer will request certain information from you.
This information may include:
- A testimony from you about when, how, and where you were injured
- Medical documentation about your illness or injury
- Work history (if/how your condition impacted your ability to work)
- Financial statements, bills, and related expenses
As your lawsuit moves forward, your lawyer will keep you updated by phone and email. They may also request that you provide additional information to help strengthen your case.
Works on a Contingency Basis
When a lawyer works on a contingency basis, it means that they will not charge any upfront fees to represent you. They will only receive a payment if your case is successful.
Working on a contingency basis is very helpful because it limits your own financial risks. Not all lawyers work on a contingency basis, and some may charge expensive fees even before lifting a finger.
If these lawyers fail, you will have lost even more money when you expected to get compensation for your medical care.
The personal injury attorneys at Sokolove Law always work on a contingency basis to ensure your best interests. By working with them, you do not have to worry about paying for legal fees on top of your other expenses.
Acts in Your Best Interest
Above all else, your personal injury lawyer should look out for you as the case proceeds. A good personal injury lawyer will work to get you the most compensation in the fastest way possible.
Bundling Cases
There are a few different ways to file your lawsuit. It can be filed on its own or bundled together with similar cases.
Depending on your situation, one of these may award a higher payout than the other. Your lawyer can advise you on which way may get you the most compensation.
Settlement vs Trial
To reach a conclusion, lawsuits must either be settled out of court or go through a trial. Your lawyer can recommend if a settlement or a trial will be best for you.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court. By settling, you receive a lump sum of money from the defendant, and the lawsuit is dropped. A settlement allows you to receive compensation faster than you would if you went to trial. You ultimately decide to accept or reject a proposed settlement from your lawyer.
If no settlement can be reached, the case will go to trial. Trials can add months or years to your lawsuit, and they also present a higher risk. If you lose at a trial, you may not receive any compensation. On the other hand, if you win, your payout could potentially be higher than that of a settlement.
How Do I Find a Personal Injury Lawyer?
There are thousands of personal injury lawyers and law firms across the country. That being said, it is in your best interest to find a lawyer who fits all of your needs.
Personal injury law covers a variety of different cases, including:
Not every personal injury attorney will have the experience or resources to handle all of these different cases. Local firms may be limited in their scope, and filing with them may limit how much compensation you receive.
Because of this, you need to be selective when choosing a personal injury attorney. The attorneys at Sokolove Law can handle all of the cases listed above — and more.
Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer
There are a few important factors to consider when deciding on a personal injury lawyer.
As you look at different personal injury lawyers, you should ask:
- Have you successfully handled lawsuits similar to mine? The lawyer should show you how they have helped people who have been in your shoes before, why they were successful, and how they can use their experience to help you.
- Are you part of a nationally recognized firm? Lawyers at national firms have access to more resources and information from all around the country, which they can use to build a stronger case on your behalf.
- Will you work on a contingency basis? When a lawyer works on a contingency basis, you do not have to worry about paying for legal fees. A small portion of your compensation will cover the cost of retaining a lawyer — but only if your case is successful.
- Are your clients satisfied with your work? Your lawyer will be the one who helps guide your case, and you need to be comfortable and confident in their abilities. There should be an element of trust and connection even before filing your lawsuit.
Though choosing a personal injury lawyer can seem complicated, it does not have to be. Sokolove Law has personal injury attorneys on staff who can help you today.
Sokolove Law Personal Injury Lawyers
Sokolove Law has successfully handled thousands of personal injury lawsuits over the last 40 years. To date, our attorneys have recovered over $9.3 Billion for our clients and their families.
Throughout this time, we have expanded our reach from the New England area to become a nationally recognized law firm. Today, Sokolove Law has attorneys in almost every state who can help you file a personal injury lawsuit.
Our dedicated lawyers can make the lawsuit process easier and help you receive compensation in a timely manner.
To learn more about how a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you, call (800) 995-1212 or fill out our contact form.
