How
do I know if I have a case?
The only way you can be sure that you have a case is to run all the
facts by a trained Hartford area injury or malpractice lawyer who knows
the law and is aware of your rights. He or she will sit down with you
free of charge to help you determine if you have a case. Once it is
decided that you are able to legally proceed, an Hartford personal injury
attorney will be assigned to your case to help you make the strongest
argument in your favor.
How
do I choose the lawyer that is right for me?
Support groups, advocacy organizations, medical, and rehabilitation
professionals can often recommend experienced accident or injury attorneys
in the Hartford, Connecticut area. Community resources and referrals can
help you find the perfect injury attorney. First and foremost, look
for an injury or malpractice attorney who has experience litigating
cases with your particular injury. Click Here for more tips on choosing
the right attorney.
What
happens if I choose the wrong lawyer?
Injury cases settle with an eye toward providing the needed care after
attorney's fees. If you are successful, the client lives as normal and
full a life as the injury allows. If not, the client does without for
the rest of their lives, the liability wouldn't support a large enough
settlement to meet the needs.
The key requirements
for the successful injury or malpractice attorney are understanding
of what is needed and what is being presented, the ability to know what
experts and what testimony is needed to explain all the facets of the
injury, and the ability to work with the client to put this all together
in a way that is complete and that anyone will understand.
Why
is it important to choose a “comprehensive law firm”?
Many Hartford personal injury law firms focus primarily on the bottom
line – how much money they can get their clients. Hartford injury
and malpractice lawyers featured in this website are all “comprehensive”
injury lawyers - they know there’s more to an injury case than
just money. They treat their clients as people who need guidance and
support, and they go out of their way to provide help in every area
of your life affected by the unexpected injury.
What
is different about attorneys who have experience with serious injury
cases?
Attorneys who have experience litigating serious injury cases are far
better prepared to deal with all the aspects of your case then attorneys
who have handled few. If you choose an experienced injury or malpractice
attorney, chances are you will get better results.
What
is the statute of limitations in my case?
The statute of limitations is the specified time period that the law
permits a claim to be filed against a responsible party. The statute
of limitations varies for cases involving children and adults, and also
differs from state to state. It is important that when a serious and
catastrophic injury occurs, an attorney and trained investigators are
retained as quickly as possible after the accident or injury so that
any potential third parties, other than the employer, can be identified
and any evidence be preserved.
How
much will getting a lawyer cost me?
First of all, it won't cost you anything to inquire with Hartford area
personal injury attorneys. Your initial consultation is usually free
of charge. Once you decide to hire an attorney to represent you, most
firms work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they won’t ask
for payment until a recovery is made.
How
do I pay for legal assistance?
Personal injury attorneys are usually paid by contingency fee - this
is a percentage of the amount that is successfully recovered for the
client. If there is no recovery, the attorney does not get paid. Typically,
the client is responsible for costs associated with litigation. Attorneys
may also request to be paid by the hour.
How
is negligence proven?
Accidents are usually caused by someone’s carelessness or failure
to act. Oftentimes it is a combination of negligent acts or a failure
to act by one or more persons or entities that cause an accident to
occur. The law requires that each person owes every other person a duty
to act as a reasonably prudent person would act under the same or similar
circumstances. When a person or entity does not act reasonably, then
they have violated that duty and will be held responsible for any injury
or damage that results. This duty is created from statutory laws or
prior cases that have evolved over time.
What
is my case worth?
The value of a case generally depends on what a jury thinks is fair
compensation for the injuries sustained. The jury is the final and best
arbiter. The true value depends on the kind of malpractice, the nature
of the injury, the severity and permanence of the damages, the credibility
of the witnesses, whether the jury likes you and your family, and whether
the doctor is credible and genuine. Just as you will be properly prepared
to be a witness, instructed as to how to behave and advised as to your
appearance, so will all the health care providers be trained and practiced
to win.
What
compensation am I entitled to if I was wrongfully injured?
Your legal rights to compensation may include:
Payment of
medical bills
You may be
entitled to have your medical expenses, past and future, paid:
Hospitalization
Surgical
procedures
Ongoing
medical care
Counseling
Scar
revision/Cosmetic surgery
Physical
therapy
Occupational
therapy
Compensation
for loss of income
You may be
entitled to have your lost wages, past and future, paid.
Vocational
rehabilitation (job retraining) You may be entitled to compensation
to be re-trained into a new job or occupation.
Compensation
for pain and suffering You may be entitled to compensation for the
pain and suffering you have endured and may continue to endure as
a result of your injury.
Loss of consortium
The spouse of an injured person may be entitled to compensation when
an injury is so severe that it interferes with the injured party's
spousal relations. The effected family member may suffer a very real
detriment. Many courts recognize the right of the injured party's
spouse to recover in an appropriate case for a loss of support, services,
love, companionship, society, affection, sexual relations and solace
in the form of a loss of consortium action. Loss of consortium is
a claim separate from the injury victim's claim. It is unique to the
injured party's spouse and is compensable by a separate damages recovery.
Disfigurement
Any physical
or mental impairment or disability
What
are compensatory damages?
Compensatory damages "compensate" the injured person for various
kinds of losses or damages.
What
are punitive damages?
Punitive damages may
be recoverable in certain circumstances. Punitive damages exist to punish
or make example of the wrongdoer for conduct that is intentional, or
when the wrongdoer acts in a reckless manner in disregard for the rights
of others.
Should
I sue?
Civil law exists to compensate an individual for injuries and losses
that were caused by someone's negligence; a defective product; or some
other form of misconduct or failure to act. Persons who are injured
in accidents and their family members are often hesitant about contacting
an attorney because they believe the accident or injury was in some
way caused by the injured individual. This may not be the case and even
if the injured individual is partially at fault, it is still possible
that more than one person or entity may have contributed to causing
that accident or injury and a substantial monetary recovery is still
possible. Talk to an experienced lawyer. They can help you decide if
you should move forward, and then build a strong case around the facts
of your injury.
What
can an experienced personal injury attorney do for me?
An experienced attorney can help you assess the amount of damages you
are rightfully entitled to under law. They can help determine exactly
what dollar amount is fair compensation in your case and we’ll
help you get it. It is a proven fact that accident victims with lawyers
get an average of more than 3 times more money than those who deal with
insurance companies on their own.
