No one enjoys getting injured. If you’re lucky it’s just a minor scrape or bruise, but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes we become seriously injured, and not only have to deal with the pain, but the recovery and financial implications that come with it. When you’re injured, it’s sometimes hard to know what to do. To help you out, here is a quick guide that you can follow if you happen to get injured.
Get Medical Attention
According to the Barnes Firm, “Your first step should always be to get proper medical attention”. This means getting immediate medical attention, and not worrying about anything else. If you have to, go to the hospital and have a doctor treat you. You can worry about everything else that comes with being injured after you’ve gotten yourself checked out and taken care of. Don’t worry about your insurance situation at this point, and instead get the medical attention you need and worry about that later.
Decide If Someone Else is to Blame
Sometimes when we get hurt it’s simply an accident. Maybe you cut your finger when slicing food at home, or maybe you trip down your stairs. In situations like this there isn’t much else you have to worry about other than getting yourself healthy. But in some cases, someone else is to blame for you becoming injured.
Maybe you slipped on someone’s icy sidewalk, or something fell out of their window and hit you as you walked by. When you’re hurt, you want to take time and think about if someone else is at fault. This could be a neighbor, an employer, your local government, or a complete stranger. If someone else is the reason for your injury, you shouldn’t have to spend money on medical bills.
Call in a Lawyer if You Need To
Once you’ve decided that someone else is to blame, it may be time to call in an attorney. If you were injured at work, you likely won’t need a lawyer, as you can file a worker’s compensation claim. However, if for some reason your company is claiming they do not have insurance, you’ll want to contact a lawyer immediately.
In other situations, where someone else is responsible for your injury, it’s good to contact an attorney. There is a lot that goes into suing someone in order to get the money that you deserve, and you don’t want to try to do it on your own. When searching for a lawyer, look for one with experience in personal injury lawsuits. These lawyers will have the most knowledge about these types of situations and will be able to tell you whether or not you have a case.
Go to Court or Take a Settlement
With your lawyer on board, your next step will be to either go to court or to take a settlement. In some cases, the person you are suing will disagree with their culpability and will allow the suit to proceed. You, along with your lawyer, will then need to present your case for why that person is at fault. If you successfully argue your case, you’ll be awarded the money that you deserve.
In other cases, the other party will either admit their fault, or not want to go through the lengthy legal process. In situations like this you may be presented with a settlement. This is a cash payment that you receive without having to go to trial but is typically less than you might get if you won in court. You and your lawyer can discuss your options, and whether or not taking a settlement is the right choice for you.
Spending Your Money
If you win your lawsuit, or reach a settlement, you’ll come into some money. Now you need to decide how you want to spend it. In many cases, the majority of this money will go towards your medical bills, such as hospital costs and recovery needs. Some of the money could also be used as a replacement for your income, since you were unable to work while you were injured.
Another expense you’ll have is your lawyer, which you can pay out of your winnings. There may also be some court fees, and if so, you’ll have to pay these too. After all of that, if you have any money left over, you can decide how you want to use it. Maybe you can take a fun trip to celebrate your victory and recovery, or maybe you just want to put the money away for a rainy day. It’s up to you, just be sure you spend it wisely.
Getting injured is a painful and long process that you hopefully never have to go through. But if you do, we hope the above guide was able to make some sense of the process, and your journey will be just a little bit easier.
