Archive for the ‘ Personal Injury ’ Category

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17
Feb

If You Slipped and Fell at Work, You Must Read This

February 17, 2020

If you suffer a slip and fall at work, there are steps you can take to make sure that you are treated fairly until you recover from your injuries. Consult our quick guide here, and then speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to protect yourself after your accident.

Seek Medical Attention 

If you were injured at work, anticipate that you will be following the process for workers’ compensation. In this case, you will need to consult your employer on which physicians their workers’ comp insurance will approve. However, if the injuries constitute an emergency, someone must call an ambulance and workers’ comp benefits can be sorted out later.

Even if you can walk away from the accident, do not delay seeking medical treatment. Waiting to seek medical attention could risk the employer claiming that you were injured at a different time and place. Your treatment will need to coincide closely with the date and time of your accident.

Understanding Premises Liability

Under premises liability law, all property owners are required to keep visitors safe. Property owners must either repair dangerous parts of the property or block off and clearly warn visitors of unsafe areas until repairs can be made. As such, if you or someone you love was injured in a slip-and-fall accident on work property where a property owner was negligent, that property owner is liable for the injuries.  

If the property owner is your employer, then you will most likely be filing for workers’ compensation. However, if the property owner is someone other than your employer, you may qualify for a personal injury claim against the property owner in addition to seeking workers’ compensation for your injuries.

Workers’ Compensation in Indiana

Employers in Indiana are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect workers in the event of an accident. Workers’ compensation pays for your medical bills, rehabilitation and a percentage of your lost wages until you can return to work. 

You can initiate a workers’ comp claim by requesting and completing form DWC-1. When completing the form, you must include as much specific information as possible about when, how and where the accident occurred. 

Indiana workers can qualify for workers’ comp even if the slip and fall was their fault. However, if your employer can prove that you intentionally tried to hurt yourself, your claim would constitute a fraud claim, and you would not be awarded any benefits.

Workers’ Compensation Exclusivity

By Indiana law, you are not allowed to sue your employer for a slip and fall so long as the accident occurred while you were working and your employer has workers’ comp coverage. Instead, you will need to follow the process to collect workers’ comp as soon as you are able after your accident.

However, if your slip and fall took place on a property where someone other than your employer possesses premises liability, you may qualify for a third-party action personal injury claim.

Third-Party Actions

If your slip and fall occurred somewhere other than employer-owned property, you may be able to prove that the property owner was negligent in his duties under premises liability law. You should consult with a personal injury attorney to see if you qualify for a personal injury lawsuit as a result of your slip and fall.  

In a third-party action, you can hold the property owner accountable for your injuries and seek compensation for damages even if your accident occurred during work and qualifies you for workers’ compensation. In many cases, workers’ compensation does not fully cover all expenses (such as lost wages) after an accident. Filing a personal injury claim against the third-party property owner can ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries in full.

For more information about how an Indiana attorney can help you with your slip and fall case, contact Stewart & Stewart Attorneys at 800-333-3529 or visit our website.

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27
Dec

5 Common Places for Slip & Fall Accidents

December 27, 2019

Slip and fall accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. Here is our list of the top five common places that slip and fall accidents occur.

1. Work

Slip and fall injuries occur most frequently on the job. This is especially true for manual labor jobs that make frequent use of scaffolding, ladders, and/or heavy equipment. Not only are employers expected to enforce regulations that keep the workplace as safe as possible, but those who are injured at work are also entitled to worker’s compensation.

In more extreme cases where an employer’s negligence created a hazard that should not have existed, or when an employer tries to intimidate their employees from claiming worker’s compensation, there may be cause to file a claim against the employer. If you or someone you love has suffered due to employer negligence and/or intimidation, you should speak with a worker’s compensation attorney right away.

2. Stairs and Escalators

In a 2017 study, experts found that stair injuries have increased by over 20% since 1996. Hospital emergency staff also point to escalator mishaps as contributing to a significant number of slip and fall injuries.

Property owners are responsible for maintaining stairs and escalators. Most importantly, they are responsible for warning and roping off any stairs/escalators in disrepair until such hazards are addressed. When invitees (such as customers or invited visitors) injure themselves in a slip and fall as a result of hazardous conditions on stairs or escalators, the property manager assumes premises liability and may be forced to compensate the injured party in a personal injury claim.

3. Ice on Sidewalks and Parking Lots

During winter, Indiana can see its fair share of snow and ice. For businesses, they must take extra care to make sure that all pedestrian areas are reasonably clear of snow and ice. If a jury finds that a commercial property owner failed to address snow and/or ice conditions in a reasonable amount of time before the slip and fall accident occurred, that owner will be required to pay damages to the injured party.

For other issues pertaining to “winter liability,” there is no clear standard wherein property owners are tried. However, many victims of a slip and fall injury as a result of ice/snow have successfully taken their personal injury case to court and won. If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip and fall case as a result of snow/ice, it is best you consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

4. Restaurants

More so than other types of business, restaurants can be hotbeds for slip and fall accidents. Not only do customers roam the aisles, but the servers are often moving about quickly while holding drinks and food. When food and liquids spill onto the floor, the establishment must address the spill right away and post warning signs if the floor remains slippery. Failure to address these hazards can result in slip and fall injuries that may end in a personal injury lawsuit.

5. Assisted Living and Nursing Homes

Slip and fall injuries at assisted living and nursing homes abound. As such, any licensed facility must meet rigorous demands in order to protect elderly residents and visitors from injuring themselves accidentally. Due to the frequency with which residents are reportedly falling and injuring themselves, it is not always the fault of the facility (or the facility’s staff).

However, if the facility and/or its staff fail to meet industry regulations and provide reasonable care to patients, that facility may be liable for slip and fall injuries to their patients in a personal injury claim.

For more information about how an Indiana attorney can help you with your slip and fall accident case, contact Stewart & Stewart Attorneys at 800-333-3529 or visit our website.

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25
Aug

What Can I Do If I Am Affected by Water Contamination?

August 25, 2019

With increased industries and population, there is an increase in waste and pollution. In the 21st Century, first-world countries are still fighting to make some drinking water safe for the greater population.

Even in the United States, water becomes contaminated in spite of federal regulations and the Clean Water Act. Thankfully, safety standards provide a means of holding responsible parties accountable.

With more information, you and your loved ones can take steps to find out sooner rather than later if your water is contaminated, and to seek medical assistance and justice for your injuries.

What is most important is that you seek medical attention if you are experiencing sickness. Additionally, thanks to the EPA and state-sponsored efforts, you can get your water tested and clean to prevent further injury.

The Clean Water Act (1972)

The Clean Water Act (CWA) forbids unregulated releasing of waste and pollution into any bodies of water, natural or otherwise.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s website, “Under the CWA, the EPA has implemented pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for the industry. They have also developed national water quality criteria recommendations for pollutants in surface waters.”

To violate EPA regulations in the CWA is to violate Federal laws that protect the drinking water of Americans.

Getting Your Water Tested

In the state of Indiana, everyone is allowed to request a drinking water test from the Indiana State Department of Health. Simply complete the order form and pay a fee of approximately $40 online.

The ISDH will send you a sterilized bottle with instructions for gathering a water sample and shipping it to the ISDH labs for testing. The state of Indiana recommends that residents test their drinking water once a year.

If your water is found to be contaminated, you can begin disinfecting your water by boiling it for at least one minute. If you are financially able, you might also consider purchasing clean water at the store until local organizations can isolate and correct the problem.

Seek Medical Treatment

If you or someone you love has been suffering from chronic health issues, and you find that your water is contaminated, you and your family should see a doctor right away. Bring with you the test results from your ISDH drinking water test so that your doctor can properly diagnose any health issues.

If you had a family member who recently passed away due to disease, that death could be connected to water contamination. Water contamination has been responsible for fatal outbreaks of pathogens, cholera, typhoid, Legionnaires disease, and more.

Statute of Limitations

After discovering that your drinking water has been contaminated, the contamination could have occurred as a result of individuals or organizations violating the Clean Water Act.

If you discover that you or someone you love has been hurt or died as a result of contaminated water, you may be eligible for compensation in a personal injury claim.

You should consult an experienced attorney to help you find out who may have been responsible for your contaminated drinking water. These individuals are also responsible for you and your family’s illnesses.

Indiana statute of limitations gives you two years to file your personal injury claim from the time that it was discovered contaminated water caused illness or death to your family.

In a personal injury case, you could be awarded compensation for medical costs, lost wages, funeral costs, and pain and suffering.

For more information about how a local Indianapolis personal injury attorney can help you with your case, contact Stewart & Stewart at 800-333-3529 or visit our website.

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10
Aug

5 Signs Your Water May Be Contaminated

August 10, 2019

It’s easy to take clean water for granted. Unfortunately, our advanced civilization still produces waste in large quantities, which can lead to water contamination.

If you or someone you love begins demonstrating symptoms that don’t seem to go away, your household water may be contaminated. If a water-contamination test confirms your suspicions, you should speak with a personal injury attorney right away.

Because water contamination often results from neglect by those tasked with properly disposing of toxic chemicals and pollution, you and your family may be eligible for compensation in a personal injury claim.

Contaminated Water Typically Has a Distinct Smell

Distinct smells coming from the tap and showers could be an indication that your water is contaminated. The most common smells are bleach, metal, fish, or rotten eggs.

While none of these smells confirm that your water is contaminated, it might be a good idea to order a water test, especially if the smell is new. Clean water has no perceptible scent at all.

Contaminated Water Typically Has an Unpleasant Taste

Just as with odors, clean water will not usually have a distinct taste. However, contaminated water often does.

If you taste something different in your water, chances are that something is off. Even a change in texture—such as a greasy or oily feeling from the tap—is a sign that your water is not sanitary.

Contaminated Water Might Look Cloudy

Contaminated water frequently looks cloudy as a result of chemicals or toxins. In extreme circumstances, it will appear almost muddy.

If your water appears cloudy, it is best to stop drinking the tap water until a water test determines it’s safe to drink.

Contaminated Water Might Leave Stains

When copper starts to contaminate your drinking water, you will see blue and green stains form on metal parts of the tap that are exposed to the water. This could happen inside your home at the sink or outside on a water spigot.

Bear in mind that some hoses and hose parts use copper. Therefore, if you see green/blue stains outside, but you do not see any stains in your sink, the water is probably fine. Excess copper in your drinking water will also have a metallic taste.

Contaminated Water Can Result in Lower Water Pressure

If toxic minerals and chemicals begin infiltrating your water system, build-up inside the pipes often accompanies the contamination. As a result, it will feel to you and your household that the water pressure is gradually decreasing.

These signs often indicate that your water is hazardous to use and drink. It is always best to stop using the water in your home until a test confirms that it is safe.

If you have no choice but to use water from the tap, you should boil any water before bathing or drinking it. Make sure that the water remains at a full boil for at least 60 seconds before cooling and using.

For more information about how a local, Indianapolis personal injury attorney can help you with your case, contact Stewart & Stewart at 800-333-3529 or visit our website.

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29
Jun

What Can I Do if I am Affected by an Environmental Disaster?

June 29, 2019

The term ‘environmental disaster’ covers a wide range of situations.
It can be something small, like an explosion or a fire at a local chemical plant, or it can be something as large as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant meltdown in 1986 that left a city uninhabitable to this day.
A disaster usually refers to widespread areas, but if a mishap at your work leaves you injured, disabled, or sick from pollutants, it’s a disaster in your world.
Depending on the size and scope of the disaster, you have plenty of legal options to pursue. Responsible parties can be government agencies, individuals, or corporations. If a large group of people is adversely affected by a disaster, a class action lawsuit can be filed.
Types of Environmental Disasters
It’s important to note the many different types of environmental disasters. These can be one-time events or accumulate over time.
Agricultural: These are events that negatively impact crops. A prime example is the Dust Bowl that took place in the central regions of the United States and Canada in the 1930s. Severe drought and improper farming methods led to tens of thousands of people having to abandon their farms due to their crops being ruined.
Industrial: These occur as a result of industries or entities impacting the natural environment on either a small or large scale. These are generally long-term events like air pollution and water contamination, such as the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Over 75 lawsuits have been filed alleging that old lead pipes caused a number of debilitating conditions, and the government was negligent in trying to curb the crisis.
Nuclear: Nuclear disasters are set apart from industrial ones due to the scope of the damage. As we mentioned, an entire city surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear plant has been abandoned and dozens died due to short- and long-term radiation poisoning and associated cancers.
Damages You Can Seek in Response to Environmental Disasters
In many cases, corporations are responsible for environmental dangers by cutting corners or ignoring risks, usually with the goal of saving money. Whether it’s an individual suit or a class action, there are several damages you can cite, including:
Health Issues/Medical Expenses
Pain and Suffering/Emotional Distress
Wrongful Death
Loss of Wages/Future Income
Decrease in Property Value
Evacuation and Relocation Expenses
Class action lawsuits are also effective ways for businesses to be held accountable, not only for the past but for the future as well. We have found that class action settlements generally include provisions for the responsible party to implement new business practices and safety features to ensure that the environmental disaster isn’t repeated.
If you or someone you love has been negatively impacted by an environmental disaster, your first course of action should be to contact an attorney that is well-versed in handling the fallout from man-made disasters. The lawyers at Stewart & Stewart are among the most experienced in the state of Indiana when it comes to these types of cases – including chemical spills, air pollution, and groundwater contamination. We’ll take on the big corporations and hold them responsible, so you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you – call 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website for more information.

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12
Jun

Can I Sue if I Receive a Faulty Knee Replacement?

June 12, 2019

Knee replacement surgery is one of the most common bone surgeries in the United States, as doctors perform more than 600,000 of these operations a year.

A new knee can greatly enhance the quality of life for those who may need one. They may be in a situation where they are living in constant pain, despite medication and physical therapy. Many cannot perform the simple task of getting up from a chair without feeling pain. After surgery and a rehabilitation period, new knee patients should be able to move around pain-free.

The average lifespan of an artificial knee is around 20 years, but that number has fallen recently, and many knee replacements are failing in as little as two years.

The short answer to the question posed in the title – can you file a lawsuit over a faulty knee replacement – is yes.

Over the years, numerous knee replacement recalls have taken place. Two companies, DePuy Synthes (49 percent) and Zimmer Biomet (36 percent), have accounted for the majority of recalls since 2003.

One popular replacement knee product, the Attune knee replacement system by DePuy Synthes (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson), is currently seeing an issue where a recent update to the product has led to the artificial knee detaching from the body earlier than it should due to a failing adhesive the surgeon uses to hold the implant to the tibia bone.

What Does it Feel Like if an Artificial Knee is Failing?

If you are feeling good after successfully completing your rehab post-surgery, these sudden symptoms are a sign that you may have a problem with your knee replacement:

  • Unstable walking or standing
  • A general increase in pain
  • Inflammation
  • Swelling
  • Bone loss
  • Infection
  • Lost range of motion in the knee
  • Numbness
  • Higher temperature/hot feeling around the knee

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, contact the office that performed the surgery. However, X-rays may not detect a possible failure of the artificial knee, so a second surgery is often required in these cases.

A second surgery, especially if a new knee replacement is necessary, can be extremely difficult because the person’s bone tends to grow around the artificial knee that’s been in place. This can lead to bone loss and muscle damage, some of which may be irreversible.

In rare cases, failure of the adhesive has caused a serious condition known as Bone Cement Implantation Syndrome (BCIS). This condition can be triggered by joint failure and can lead to obstructed blood vessels, stroke, or heart attack.

Experts believe that the failure in these products is partially due to a lack of government oversight. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must approve any products introduced by these manufacturers, but critics say the FDA approval process does not go far enough to keep unsafe products off the market. For example, companies can pass the FDA Premarket Notification process by showing that their device is “substantially equivalent” to similar products, but it does not have to pass more stringent tests.

This opens manufacturers up for medical malpractice lawsuits, especially if the artificial knee failure occurs within a few years of the surgery.

If you or a loved one experience pain or complications from a knee replacement gone wrong, you are likely entitled to compensation for any potential subsequent surgeries, along with pain and suffering.

The attorneys at Stewart & Stewart are some of the most experienced in the state of Indiana at handling medical malpractice cases. We would be honored to help you get what you deserve for having to suffer from the negligence of a manufacturer. Please call us at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website today for a no-risk consultation.

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8
Jun

How Do I Know if I was Exposed to Asbestos?

June 08, 2019

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that was used in insulation materials for much of the 20th century. In the 1970s, it was discovered that asbestos is a carcinogen, and its use was generally halted.

However, experts say that it’s safe to assume there is asbestos in all buildings constructed prior to 1980. There are also isolated events (like this steam pipe explosion that occurred last summer in New York City) that bring on potential asbestos exposure.

What makes conditions related to asbestos so serious is that there are no signs of harm until symptoms of a disease start to appear. Because of this, doctors urge that you know the signs of medical conditions related to asbestos exposure. Illnesses that are caught early have a better chance of being treated than ones that are detected later on.

Shortness of Breath

Inhaled asbestos fibers can cause scar tissue to form in the lungs. This can cause shortness of breath and is one of the most common signs of an asbestos-related condition.

Swollen Fingertips

Swollen fingertips (known as clubbing) is present in around 50 percent of asbestos-related illnesses. Clubbing makes the fingertips appear broader and rounder than usual.

Extreme Fatigue

Being more tired than usual is generally not a concern, but increased fatigue combined with a primary symptom such as shortness of breath or clubbing can be an indication that you may have an asbestos-related illness.

Wheezing

Asbestos exposure can cause inflammation in the lungs, which can lead to wheezing. If a non-smoker is wheezing, it could be a sign that they have an asbestos-related illness.

Unproductive Cough That Doesn’t Go Away

A persistent, dry cough can form due to the same scar tissue in the lungs that brings on shortness of breath.

Symptoms in Other Parts of the Body

Most of these issues affect the lungs, which makes sense because that’s where most asbestos-related diseases occur. Besides clubbing of the fingers, there are physical signs to watch for in other parts of the body. This includes abdominal swelling and distention, abdominal or pelvic pain, bowel obstruction, hernia, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing.

What Can Doctors Do?

If you suspect that you were exposed to asbestos over a prolonged period of time, there are several tests doctors can order to keep track of your health and note any changes that are cause for concern.

These procedures include any or all of the following: chest X-ray, low-dose CT scan, spirometry, bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, and pulmonary function tests.

Overall, around 20 percent of people who have had prolonged exposure to asbestos develop illnesses  such as lung cancer, mesothelioma (a type of cancer that develops in the chest), and asbestosis (a persistent disease caused by the scar tissue that forms in the lungs).

Many state and federal programs offer compensation for those who were exposed to asbestos, especially through the workplace. These include state workers’ compensation programs and the Federal Employees’ Compensation Program. Medicare and Veterans Affairs (VA) services may also cover asbestos-related illnesses.

In addition to these programs, an attorney will be able to determine if anyone else may be culpable due to negligence. The personal injury attorneys at Stewart & Stewart are some of the most experienced in the Indianapolis area at handling asbestos cases. If you or a loved one is dealing with asbestos exposure or an asbestos-related illness, call us at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website to put our experience to work for you.

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27
Jan

5 Ways to Keep Safe at Work

January 27, 2019

When we go to work each day, we never expect to end up in the hospital or injured due to work activities. Most companies, especially those that involve heavy machinery, factories or special equipment, will have safety guidelines in place to ensure that all employees are kept safe and out of harms way during working hours. Unfortunately, even with these guidelines, many employees still end up hurt. Here are a few ways to ensure your safety at work.

Always Stay Alert

Even if you are taking a short break or having a friendly chat with a coworker, always be aware of your surroundings and what is happening around you. A faulty piece of equipment or coworker not paying attention can lead to extreme harm. Before you begin each day, take note of the area around you and pay attention to any potential dangers or hazards—this will help you avoid any injury should something happen.

Wear the Right Clothing

Whether you work in an office, a factory or outside at a site, what you wear will always come into play. If you need to dress professional but know that your office has uneven flooring or requires a lot of walking up stairs or to others offices, consider wearing flat shoes. If you work at an outdoor site, wear appropriate clothing based on the weather. While it may seem trivial, having the right outfit can help you avoid day-to-day injuries.

Let Yourself Take Breaks

A tired employee is far more prone to accidents than one that is alert. If you are feeling tired, overworked or simply need to take a breath, let yourself take a short walk, go get a cup of coffee or simply sit in your place and take deep breaths. Working through times of irritability or stress is a surefire way to get injured on the job.

Ensure You Are Properly Trained

Before you begin your job, you should be trained on the proper way to use all machinery and tools. If you feel you do not understand the right way to use them, inform your supervisor before you begin using them. Not being trained properly may hurt your company in the long run, but it will hurt you more as you deal with your injuries.

Report Unsafe Conditions

If you see anything that looks off, notice faulty equipment or witness a coworker toying with machinery, report it to your supervisor. You may not only be saving yourself from injury, but all those around you as well.

If you were injured in a workplace accident, you will need an experienced workers compensation attorney on your side to help you fight for you rights and get you the compensation you deserve. For more information about how the attorneys at Stewart & Stewart can help you, give us a call at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website for more information.

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26
Jan

7 Types of Damages a Personal Injury Lawsuit Covers

January 26, 2019

Personal injury encompasses a lot of different things, from workers’ compensation claims to slip and falls and car accidents. Because of the vast number of personal injury lawsuits, many people are unsure exactly how much their specific case is worth and how serious the claim actually is. Overall, the severity of a claim comes down to the damages involved. If you were severely injured or your property was greatly damaged, your case will hold a lot more weight than an accident that left victims with scrapes and bruises. But damages don’t just include injuries. Below, we look at the types of damages that a personal injury lawsuit covers.

Injuries & Medical Treatments

The most common, and often most important, type of damage a personal injury lawsuit will cover is your medical treatment. This includes not only the treatment you received after the accident occurred, but also any future treatments, medications or procedures you will need that relate to the accident.

Loss of Income

When you get injured, you often face injuries that leave you unable to work, either temporarily or permanently. If this happens, you should seek to collect compensation for the loss of income, or loss of earning capacity, that resulted because of the accident. This includes any income you lost while you recovered and any income you will lose in the future due to your injury.

Pain and Suffering

A personal injury accident, whether it was a car accident, a slip and fall or other type of accident, can be traumatizing and lead a victim down a painful path. If this happens to you, you can seek compensation for any pain you are left with after the accident ends. Pain and suffering is often hard to determine, so an experienced personal injury attorney is often needed.

Loss or Damage of Property

Did your car get totaled during the accident? Was your home, property or personal belongings ruined or damaged as a result of the accident? You should be able to collect compensation to either replace or repair these items.

Emotional Suffering

Many people suffer from emotional trauma after an accident. This can range from PTSD and increased anxiety to loss of sleep and fear. If you are suffering from emotional distress following an accident, you deserve to be compensated.

Loss of Life

Similar to emotional suffering, loss of life refers to the fact that after your injury, you lost interest in every day activities and no longer find joy in things you used to love, like taking a drive, going on long walks or spending time with others.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages come into play when the person who caused the accident was increasingly negligent in their actions. An example of this is a drunk driver. For the victim, punitive damages will come in the form of monetary compensation and often awarded to punish a defendant for their actions.

If you were involved in a personal injury case, you deserve to be compensated for everything you have suffered through. The attorneys at Stewart & Stewart know what it takes to get our clients what they deserve following an accident and are ready to help you too. For more information, give us a call at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website for more information.

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23
Jan

5 Things to Consider When Filing a Personal Injury Claim

January 23, 2019

When you get into an accident, slip and fall at a restaurant or hurt yourself on another person’s property, you are likely looking at a personal injury claim. Personal injury encompasses many things and a skilled personal injury attorney will walk you through the process and how you can maximize your compensation. But, there are things you should consider doing before filing your claim to ensure you get everything you deserve.

Always Accept Medical Help

Even if you feel you were not badly injured, it is always smart to see a doctor directly after your accident if you plan to file a claim. Many injuries do not show up right away and with adrenaline running high after an accident, most injuries will not be noticeable to you until it is too late. Instead of running the risk of not being able to include all of your injuries in a claim, head to a doctor or hospital so you can have everything on file and ensure that you are properly cared for.

Get Copies of All Reports

Before you leave the hospital or doctor, ask for a copy of your medical records. You may also want to ask the police officer on duty for a copy of his police report so you have everything ready to hand over to your attorney. In addition to these reports, try to get witness statements from others who may have been at the scene and take pictures of the car, person or property involved in the accident. All of these things will help your attorney with your personal injury case.

Call the Police

You may not think you need the police to get involved, but if you were hurt or anything was damaged, you are going to want to have a police report underlining exactly what happened. Different people can have different memories and give different accounts of what occurred, so having an unbiased officer explain to the attorneys and the insurance company what happened will forgo any confusion and avoid back and forth.

Know When an Insurance Company Isn’t Cooperating

Insurance companies work hard to pay out the least amount of money possible. This often results in them delaying your claim, denying it without a just reason or giving you the run-around so you give up and take a lower offer. It’s important to know if this is happening to you so you can get your attorney involved and avoid getting less compensation than you deserve.

Hire a Good Attorney

At the end of the day, a personal injury claim can take a lot out of a person, especially someone who just went through a traumatic experience and is now dealing with the aftermath. Hiring the right attorney will help you avoid all of the legal matters that come with a personal injury case so you can focus on your recovery and getting back to your normal life.

If you were injured in an accident, contact Stewart & Stewart to learn more about how we can help you file a claim and get the compensation you deserve. For more information, give us a call at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website for more information.