7 Tips on how to find an Excellent Personal Injury Attorney

Posted on August 8, 2017June 10, 2024Categories Legal

Many people across the country have been affected by different forms of personal injury but have been unable to get the compensation that they deserve due to lack of representation from competent attorneys. Finding the best lawyer for a particular situation is not quite hard. People need to use almost the same approaches employed in the search for any specialist. Below are seven critical tips on how to get the best personal injury lawyers in your city.

1. Understand your situation

Personal injury attorneys are different from other lawyers since they are skilled in specific fields. If you have sustained injuries due to the negligence of an employer, a hospital, or an individual it is necessary to get the best legal expert to handle your case. The best personal injury attorney should be experienced in trial and negotiation, be well informed on negligence law, and also understand medical reports.

2. Research about different lawyers

You need to know various aspects of a good lawyer for your case. Factors to consider should include their disciplinary records, reputation, area of practice, trial experience, past court room records, and location. Knowing this makes it easier for you to work with the attorney and also boost your confidence.

3. Ask for referrals from the close friends

Inquire from the people that you trust on the attorneys that they might know. The individuals that one may consult include work colleagues, relatives, and friends. It is also advisable to seek help from lawyers that you have worked with in the past to refer you to the best attorney or law firm for the task. For one to get the maximum fair compensation for an injury, it is important to work with an excellent personal injury lawyer and not one who occasionally deals such cases.

4. Use search engines to find potential attorneys

Most attorneys have online platforms that clients can use to contact them. There are also reviews that have been posted on the internet about the best lawyers for personal injury cases in your location. When searching online, use many keywords to get the best results. For example, if your child was injured during birth, just search for a child birth injury lawyer in your city. You can get many attorneys online, but you will have to select the best based on the information that you get on the internet.

5. Meet the lawyers that you prefer.

After making a list of potential candidates, it is good to meet them personally for you to select the best. You can have a list of questions that you can ask about your case. This will help you to know the attorney who is most informed about your situation. Attorneys don’t charge for the first visit, but some require clients to pay consultation fees. Your best candidate should be able to make you feel confident regarding his or her personality, credentials, and positivity. Lawsuits take a while to be determined, and therefore, it is important to have the right person since you will be working together for a long time.

6. Know the attorney’s fee structure

Before choosing a lawyer that you would like work with, be sure that you will be able to afford his or her legal fees. Every attorney has a different fee structure, and you can select the one that feels convenient. A good personal injury attorney will not ask for any payments up front. Most of them collect their fees after the case is determined.

7. Hire your best candidate

After determining all the factors above, you can hire a personal injury lawyer with the best qualifications and fee structure. Ensure that you agree well with the attorney to ensure the success of your case.

A Close Look at Personal Injury Law

Posted on June 14, 2017June 10, 2024Categories Legal

Personal injury is part of civil law. It refers to injuries that result from actions of another party. People often encounter accidents that result in injuries. It’s important to understand personal injury law. Some incidents can cause personal injuries and may even result in death. If another person’s actions harm you, you should consider legal action. Personal injury law firms will help you seek compensation for the damages.

Personal injury law covers several scenarios. It’s different from criminal law. For instance, if someone is assaulted, the accused would face criminal charges. But if the attack causes serious injuries, the victim may need a personal injury lawyer to help him/her get compensation. The following are circumstances that would require the services of a personal injury attorney.

Medical malpractice

Medical practitioners are expected to comply with a certain code of conduct. That’s why they have to take the hypocritical oath. When a medical professional fails to act appropriately, this is considered medical malpractice. This type of negligence can cause harm to the patient.

Workplace injury

It’s an employer’s responsibility to ensure that workers have a safe working environment. If you get hurt at work due to a dangerous working environment, you can sue your employer for the injuries. You’ll need to hire an attorney from one of the reputable personal injury law firms in your area. The lawyer will help you get enough compensation to cover all the damages. What’s more, you can use the funds to pay your bills if you’re unable to make a living due to the injury.

Slip and fall

Business owners are responsible for the safety of those who visit their premises. Therefore, they should ensure their office or store is well maintained to avoid accidents. The flooring of a premise must be non-slip. If you slip and fall at the mall, you’re eligible for compensation from the management of the property.

Car accidents

There are multiple reasons why an accident may happen. Some car accidents are caused by natural causes such as earthquakes and landslides. However, reckless driving causes most accidents. This includes driving under the influence (DUI) and speeding. An accident might maim a pedestrian or a safe driver. In such a case, no amount of jail time would help the victim recover. So, the best option would be to hire a personal injury lawyer and pursue compensation.

Some cases require the services of personal injury law firms. If you ever find yourself in any of this situation, you shouldn’t hesitate to take legal action. It’s your constitutional right to receive compensation for your physical, financial, and emotional damages. Be sure to hire an attorney who specializes in personal injury law.

Essential Aspects of ICBC Accident Reporting that you should know

Posted on March 30, 2017June 10, 2024Categories Legal

As a driver, it’s your duty to report car accidents you were part of to the ICBC. This should be done immediately. The term “immediately” means in a day or two after the accident- if it’s humanly possible. It is a policy term with ICBC and your duty to offer a statement detailing the accident within a reasonable time. The statement needs to be signed.

Providing statements to ICBC

You must be very careful about the statement you give. Whatever you say could be used against you even if it’s at the reporting stage. In case ICBC identifies a way they can minimize coverage or compensation, they will count on it. If possible, they will use the information you offered to build a case showing how you breached the contract.

When an attorney is needed to deal with ICBC

ICBC isn’t in the business of making payments, but it’s an insurer focusing on the bottom line. In case ICBC collects evidence to prove that you breached the insurance contract, expect that they will deny you your insurance coverage. This begins at the accident reporting stage.

Is a lawyer really needed?

It’s not a must for you to have a lawyer so that you can claim compensation when injured or seek no-fault benefits. However, it’s strongly recommended that one gets an attorney depending on the circumstances at hand. The more serious the injuries and their impacts are, the more you’ll need to get legal assistance from an experienced BC lawyer.

Nothing in the law requires that you hire an attorney while dealing with ICBC, even while at the court. But if you don’t retain a lawyer, you need to make informed decisions so that ICBC doesn’t take advantage of your situation.

Essential things you need to know

ICBC can appoint an adjuster for your claim. This ICBC lawyer will be working for them, not you. Their job is to solve the claim for the ICBC. The adjusters are experienced and handle injury claims every day. They are sophisticated negotiators and know how valuable an injury claim is.

So when you decide to get a lawyer, he or she needs to do the following:

• Act on your best interests and not ICBC’s.
• Offer advice on how your rights should be protected.
• Do everything to get you fair ICBC settlements that aren’t based on the ICBC’s perspective.
• Get adequate medical information showing the full extent of the injuries.
• Gather evidence concerning the auto collision.
• Decide the compensation that is ideal for your case.

If your attorney can’t settle the case, he or she must take the case to court so that you can have a fair chance of obtaining a full and equitable compensation as per the law. Having a lawyer doesn’t mean you’ll go to court. Most ICBC claims never get to the courtroom.

Key Considerations When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Posted on March 9, 2017June 10, 2024Categories Legal

A personal injury lawyer is instrumental in helping victims acquire the compensation they deserve. These lawyers, differ in many aspects. The last thing you want is to hire an inexperienced rookie, especially if there is so much at stake. Injuries can leave you financially and emotionally drained. The outcome of your case may largely depend on your representation. The best strategy to finding the right personal injury lawyer is asking the right questions.

1. What is your specialty?

It is not uncommon to find lawyers who practice in almost every discipline of law. This means that they handle a little bit of everything. Personal injury law is specific and detailed. You need a lawyer who has extensive knowledge of injury lawsuits. It is best to work with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in injury cases. Specialization develops a high level of skill in any given field. This also gives better representation and consequently better results.

2. How long have you been practicing?

Experience weighs in heavily, especially if the case has to go to trial. The same applies for out of court settlements. You need a lawyer who has good negotiation skills. This is an expertise that is developed over time. Personal injury lawyers mainly charge on a contingency basis. This means that the fees charged by different lawyers may not vary by a wide margin. If the fee is somewhat the same, there is no reason why you should not get an experienced lawyer who is well versed with injury lawsuits.

3. What approach do you use?

Certain lawyers only settle cases out of court. There are others who will refer your case to other lawyers to try. A personal injury lawyer should work for the best interests of the client. If this means going to court, then they should be prepared. If you go to a personal injury lawyer who has no trial experience, then high chances are that you will have to settle for less that your claim is worth. Check the track record of a lawyer before enlisting their services. Experienced and confident lawyers will not shy away from a trial.

4. Do you have the resources to take my case?

Personal injury cases can be very expensive, especially in the event that the case goes to trial. A single case may need several expert witnesses. These professionals are hired and paid. If the injury lawyer does not have the financial muscle to give you the best representation, then they will settle for less. Personal injury lawsuits also need human resources. The lawyer should have a team of associates and investigators to tackle the case.

Asking these questions can reveal a lot. This helps you to make an informed decision on your choice of personal injury lawyer.

How To Stay Safe and Avoid a Speeding Ticket

Posted on March 4, 2017June 10, 2024Categories Legal

Nobody wants to get a speeding ticket. We have enough bills to pay and speeding ticket fines can cost hundreds of dollars in fines and a trip to the local magistrate. Not to mention, a speeding ticket can cause extra points to go against your driving record. It is much easier to avoid a ticket completely than to fight traffic ticket in court. The following tips can help you stay under the local radar.

Red Means Stop

Certain vehicles are more prone to standing out than others. It isn’t just a myth that a red vehicle will attract the attention of a police officer, it’s the truth. That goes for a yellow or an orange car, as well. If you are in the market for a new car and you travel frequently, you’ll want to look for a vehicle with a toned down, neutral color. If you already own a vehicle that may attract attention, it’s important to always follow the traffic laws and keep your speed where it should be to avoid being spotted.

Watch Your Route

Pay attention to your route, especially if you drive the same one over and over again. Look for side streets, overpasses, blind corners, buildings and anywhere else that a police car or motorcycle could hide. Many officers hide behind bridge supports as there is usually plenty of room to pull off. Once you take note of the various spots a cop could hide you will remember to slow down before you come up on them during your next trip.

Pay Attention to Who is Behind You

Many drivers get so caught up watching for police officers hiding ahead of them that they don’t pay attention to the cars behind them. You may be speeding along with a cop following in your wake for miles before you realize who it is, especially at night when it is harder to make out the specific cars. Pay attention to your rear view whenever you are on the road, especially on a highway where you may tend to speed up.

Don’t Be a Reckless Driver

It’s not always speed that attracts a police officer. If you are driving aggressively or erratically, you’re more than likely to draw attention to yourself. Don’t tailgate or weave in and out of traffic just because you are in a hurry. Even if you are only going a few miles over the speed limit when you do so, a policeman may pull you over because of the way you are driving. There is nothing wrong with being a safe and courteous driver, and it can help keep your driving record clean and clear.

How to Know if an Accident Victim Has Psychological Damage

Posted on March 3, 2017June 10, 2024Categories Legal

Following a serious accident for which a lawsuit has been filed, victims manifest psychological symptoms that may be a result of the accident. Confusion, fluctuating emotions, and lack of concentration can change an accident victim’s quality of life, short-term or long-term. While it is natural to feel jolted by an accident, symptoms that linger or worsen should be discussed with personal injury lawyers representing the victim.

Ability to work.

Some accidents cause psychological issues that need to be diagnosed by professional psychologists or psychiatrists. Specialists like a neuropsychologist may be consulted, as well. If tests reveal the accident victim has brain damage or a psychological disorder, he or she may be urged to apply for temporary disability. Subsequent retesting will likely be ordered for a reevaluation to determine if the condition is permanent. If the plaintiff is unaware that he or she is manifesting psychological changes that interfere with the ability to do his or her job as before the accident, the supervisor may advise the employee to take time off work to recover, and following medical diagnosis, the victim might need to apply for disability status.

Relationship changes.

Someone who has been in a serious accident could begin to experience relationship issues. The victim could become unresponsive, uncommunicative, and apathetic, not because feelings for the relationship partner have changed, but due to the effects of the accident injury. The inability to enjoy a loved one’s company or to engage in meaningful conversation or activities takes a toll on many relationships and may be a warning sign of psychological disturbances resulting from the accident. Compensation for psychological injuries may sometimes include marital strain, such as loss of consortium, or family life disruptions.

Emotional upheaval.

Crying jags, emotional withdrawal, and anger outbursts are common symptoms of emotional distress. Although these things can occur without an accident injury, their persistence or severity might indicate a serious problem. A person who experiences significant mood swings following an accident should be encouraged to see a psychologist or doctor for testing and diagnosis and to determine if evidence exists for emotional distress damages.

Personality shift.

In certain types of accident injuries, a victim’s personality can change dramatically. A formerly-reserved person might become outgoing and talkative. Someone who was mean-spirited could turn into a jovial person. Sometimes the change isn’t as noticeable, but subtleties can be discerned. For example, a trusting person might become more suspicious of others.

The victim, family members, coworkers, and medical experts can help to diagnose issues like mental anguish in an accident victim. A personal injury attorney can advise an accident victim of signs to look for or the type of experts to consult for help in diagnosing psychological problems.

Tips to Interview a Prospective Divorce Lawyer

Posted on February 20, 2017June 10, 2024Categories Legal

If you want to file divorce and need advice, a competent divorce lawyer can be of great help to you. Once you have gotten a few names of great prospects, talk to each of them personally. If you put across your issues in advance, many lawyers in Canada will be more than willing to meet you for some time at no charge to give you an opportunity to make an informed decision. Before you make this critical decision, here are three things that you need to do.

Effective and Timely Communication

Your objective is to hire a professional whom you can communicate with well and promptly. Let your prospective divorce lawyers tell you how and when you will be able to get in touch with them and how long it will take before they return your communications. You should not overlap this step simply because the lawyer seems easy to communicate with and friendly.

The complaint logs of many lawyer regulatory groups show that most of these individuals are poor communicators. So, get to know in advance if any time you encounter a problem there could be delays of several days before you can contact your lawyer and make the appropriate decision. Obviously, you want a divorce lawyer who understands what you are going through, can work on your behalf and is available to advise you promptly. If you get a communicator, you are good to go, but consider the next step first.

Personality

Personality chemistry is another thing that you must pay great attention. No matter how well-known, experienced, and well recommended a lawyer is if both of you fail to connect within the first or second meetings, trust your instincts. You may never realize the right lawyer-client relationship, and this can be very detrimental to your court processes.

Preparedness to Work for You

If your prospective divorce attorney is not only a good communicator but also have a personality that is compatible with yours, consider if they are willing to work with you. All that you need is legal information, and lawyers are the main source of this vital information.

But if working with a lawyer at their high rates may mean you empty your bank account, you need to think twice. A good lawyer can help you to understand the legal principles and procedures that you need to execute your case, at least partly without their hands-on assistance. Get to know well in advance if your lawyer will be willing to advise you as you represent yourself. If you are enacting laws for your business partnership, get to know if your lawyer will be available to go through your drafts and make comments.

Good communication, pleasant personality, and willingness to help you are critical as will help you to eliminate the possibilities of losing your case because of poor representation.

3 Situations Where Small Businesses May Need a Corporate Lawyer

Posted on February 19, 2017June 10, 2024Categories Legal

While there are plenty of issues and concerns that small businesses may be able to address on there own, there are numerous situations where the services and assistance of an experienced corporate lawyer can make a critical difference. Attempting to deal with a suit filed by either former or prospective employees, claims that a business may have violated one or more laws or regulations as well as negotiating the sale of a business without formal legal advice and assistance can be a very serious misstep. Knowing which situations may require small business owners to seek the assistance of an attorney can ensure that prompt and effective action is able to be taken.

Employee Lawsuits

A lawsuit filed by either a past or current associate, as well as applicants who may be been turned down for a position, is never an issue that should be taken lightly. Allegations of illegal hiring or firing practices or claims of a hostile workplace environment can often become very serious and costly problems, especially for organizations who lack the legal insight or guidance needed in order to better protect themselves. The services of an experienced corporate lawyer, especially one that may specialize in laws governing employment, are never a resource that businesses should be without when faced with a lawsuit.

Claims of Legal or Regulatory Violations

Government agencies that claim a business has violated one or more laws, statues or regulations during the course of its operation can create serious problems for companies and organizations who may lack suitable legal assistance. Working alongside the right corporate lawyer ensures that businesses will be better equipped to respond to such claims. Without formal legal services it may be all but impossible for businesses to avoid costly fines, serious legal penalties or unfavorable rulings and verdicts. Businesses who receive notification of a complaint or violation would be wise to contact a corporate lawyer as soon as possible.

Sales and Acquisitions

Buying or selling an existing business can be a major undertaking. Few business owners posses the in-debt understanding of contract and finance law as well as the regulations governing the acquisition or sale of a business needed to ensure the process is able to be as smooth and successful as possible. The help and assistance of the right corporate lawyer may be of paramount importance during every step of the sale or acquisition process. Business owners who lack the legal understanding and resources that only a dedicated firm may be able to provide. Even a minor oversight or error can become a major issue when it comes to selling a business or expanding an existing organisation through the acquiring of a new organization or enterprise.

How Businesses Can Prevent Commercial Litigation

Posted on January 18, 2017June 10, 2024Categories Legal
Businesses should always strive to avoid commercial litigation at all costs. Commercial litigation Toronto can result into long term damages to the brand, waste a lot of time and lead to financial exhaustion. In this case, prevention is better than cure. Here are ways to avoid disputes and lawsuits in your business.
Everything should be in writingWhether it is a business or an individual, any agreement must be put in writing. In complex or lengthy agreements, the written document must include a limit on the liability of both parties. The agreement should define what happens at the end of the contract or when one breaches the rules. It should also highlight the plans put in place to control business between the two parties. This will help to reduce arguments and prevent rising disputes.

Learn about the common legal issues in your industry

As a business owner, you must understand all the key legal issues in your industry. This will help you to adequately prepare for potential legal problems that might affect your organization. You can ask lawyers who are specialized in your industry about the common issues they handle. You can also ask them to coach you on how to prevent them.

Establish and maintain good relationships

You should nurture healthy relationships within the organizations and outside. Nobody likes to sue the people he likes because he highly values and respects them. With a good relationship, both sides can be more reasonable in case there is a dispute. They will take wise steps to preserve and improve their relationship regardless of the situation.

Be sensible when handling disputes

You don’t have to appear like a complete jerk when handling a dispute with the other party. This will only raise emotions and lead to lawsuits. Be reasonable and collected when there is a dispute. Take immediate action to make sure the dispute does not escalate to a larger problem. You should train your management team and the staff to identify and resolve issues.

Plan and be prepared

The truth is that it is not possible to stop all commercial litigation if you are in business, especially if you run a corporate debt collection agency. In this case, make sure that you are fully prepared for any lawsuit that might present itself. Keep in touch with a commercial litigation lawyer to make sure that any lawsuit is handled swiftly and effectively. Ensure that the lawyer fully understands your business and all the processes involved in commercial litigation.

Do not retaliate

Businesses that are involved in debt recovery often face many unfair accusations that damage their reputation. You should not retaliate. Instead, take a step back and think about how you can handle the situation objectively.

Filing a Medical Malpractice- The Basics

Posted on November 21, 2016June 10, 2024Categories Legal

People go to hospitals so that they may find consolation and help. However, at times the medical professional attending to a patient may fail to perform his medical duties as required. Take, for instance, if a doctor does not make a proper diagnosis, the disease could progress and cause adverse effects. If a suspicious mammogram is realized and acted upon in time, treatment can be administered, and the patient can recover fully. If skin cancer is recognized early, it can be treated before the patient passes on. Therefore, medical malpractice is a delicate case that should be handled by qualified medical malpractice lawyers.

Filing for a claim

The rules of medical malpractice, from when to file a lawsuit to when you notify the doctor depend on the state’s law. However, there are overall principles that cut across.
Before filing a medical malpractice claim, a patient must prove these things:

The existence of a doctor-patient relationship

Patients should establish that there was a patient-physician relationship with the doctor they are suing. It means that you hired the physician and the physician agreed to be engaged. Therefore, you cannot sue a doctor you overheard offering advice at a tea party or over the television. It is easy to prove your claim if you had already hired the doctor and treatment had commenced.

Negligence of the doctor

Dissatisfaction with the outcome of the treatment only does not form the basis of filing a claim. Rather, the physician should have been negligent concerning your diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, you must show that the medical expert caused you harm that would not have occurred if a competent doctor handled you. The doctor is not required to be perfect, but rather careful and skillful. Usually, another medical expert will be asked to explain the standard medical care procedure that should have been done, then prove how the defendant deviated from this standard.

The doctor’s negligence caused harm

Since most medical malpractice cases deal with patients who were already unwell, it is usually necessary to ascertain if what the doctor did, led to the damage or not. For instance, if a patient dies of skin cancer, and the doctor was negligent in a way, it’s hard to prove if the death was caused by the skin cancer of the physician’s negligence. Thus, the plaintiff should show that it is more likely than not for the harm to have been caused by the doctor.

Difficulties of Evidence: The “Res Ipsa” Doctrine

If you are sure that you or your loved ones have suffered harm due to medical malpractice but you are unable to prove it, talk to your medical malpractice lawyer about “res ipsa loquitur.” It is a doctrine that is translated into English to mean “the thing speaks for itself.” You can invoke this doctrine to make the case easier. To use this doctrine appropriately, the plaintiff should show that:

  • The real cause of the injury cannot be obtained
  • The plaintiff is not responsible for the injury
  • The damage doesn’t occur in the absence of negligence
  • The injury could only be caused by an instrument that is in the defendant’s control

Hire a lawyer

A medical malpractice case can be overwhelming. That is why hiring medical malpractice lawyers Toronto is a great way of ensuring justice is served.