Injuries can occur because of drowning, firearms, sharp objects, car accidents, slips and falls, dog bites, medical malpractice, and others. If you sustained an injury in an accident that you did not cause, you may be wondering if you hire a Cedar Rapids personal injury lawyer. Pursuing compensation for your injuries is a complex process and you need a knowledgeable and experienced attorney to guide you every step of the way.
Is It a Personal Injury or Workers’ Compensation Case?
Both personal injury and workers’ compensation cases require you to provide medical records to prove the existence and extent of your injury. In both cases, damages are determined this way including whether you sustained a permanent, life-changing injury.
While personal injury claims are meant for injuries you sustained in your personal life and based on negligence, workers’ compensation claims cover injuries suffered because of a work accident. Also, workers’ comp includes other work-related disabilities like occupational disease or disorder and long-term repetitive stress injury due to work-related events. In workers’ comp cases, you must prove the injury is work-related.
Can You Represent Yourself?
Iowa has many laws and online resources that can be accessed by people who want to represent themselves in court. However, self-representation can put you at risk of getting a lower settlement than you deserve or no compensation at all. A personal injury attorney is familiar with the process of getting evidence, hiring expert witnesses, and litigating with fellow lawyers. Also, they have in-depth knowledge of personal injury law.
In general, insurers want to pay the least amount of compensation to claimants. So, they will hire a lawyer to discredit your claim. As you try to recover from your injury, self-representation can be hard and stressful. Personal injury lawyers can get compensation for you ensuring it covers all of your damages including lost wages, medical expenses, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering.
What to Expect During Your Consultation?
When you consult with an injury attorney, they will assess your case to determine if it is worth fighting for. As they do this, they will consider the seriousness of your injury. If you suffered a life-changing injury that leads to a lifetime of pain and suffering, your attorney will use this fact to negotiate a higher settlement or argue your case in court. Also, your lawyer will consider how the insurance provider is approaching your case and the liability for your injuries.
