Questions and Answers about Personal Injury
To schedule a free consultation with the professionals at Putnam Lieb, please call 1-800-225-4529
Q. What should I do first if I've been injured?
A. To protect your rights and legal options, here are some
things you should or should not do when you've been injured.
· Immediately call the legal professionals at Putnam Lieb to schedule a free consultation (click here to contact us). Too often, injured individuals close doors to their recovery because of things they inadvertently say or do immediately after the accident.
· Don't discuss your case with anyone other than your attorney, your physician and your immediate family. Any statements you make to others can be used against you later.
· Do not sign any claims or documents until you have discussed it with your attorney.
· Keep records of any out-of-pocket expenses you incur, such as costs for medication, household help, or transportation to and from treatment. It is difficult to obtain repayment for these expenses unless they are carefully documented.
· Keep a dated record of how your problems impact your life. This will help us document and illustrate how your injury has altered your life. Note pain you may be experiencing, physical or emotional limitations on activities that were once a part of your daily lifestyle.
· Be aware that the defendant may hire someone to investigate your personal activities to determine the nature and extent of your injuries. Such investigations can include surveillance, video taping and conducting interviews with neighbors and co-workers.
Don't wait and see how the insurance company or employer will handle
your case before consulting with an attorney. Delays usually work
against you, the victim, and FOR
the defendant. Be aware that once legal deadlines are passed, you close
the door to more promising legal options.
Q. How can Putnam Lieb help me with my case?
A. If you consult with Putnam Lieb early following an injury, we can help in these ways:
· The factual circumstances of your accident can be pinned down early on so the disputes about liability and fault are not compromised with "aged" information or memory loss.
· You will be advised not to make statements, sign releases or attend medical evaluations which could ultimately damage your case. You will have the guidance of experienced professionals to ensure your actions do not compromise your ability to receive a fair settlement or trial.
· When necessary, you can be referred to additional, well-respected medical specialists for further identification of your injuries and second opinions.
· Your case can be reviewed by other experts, such as vocational rehabilitation counselors, safety experts, or engineers, who can help establish fault or extent of damages.
· You will receive sound legal counsel in the decision of whether you should or shouldn't file suit.
· If a suit is necessary, you can be advised whether mediation, arbitration or some other method of settling prior to trial is in your best interest.
· When you are injured, your first focus must be on your physical and emotional recovery. That recovery can be made easier by letting experienced legal professionals like Putnam Lieb manage your case and help you restore your life.
Q. If I am injured as a result of someone else's negligence, will I
have to file a lawsuit and go to court in order to be compensated
for my losses, or are
out-of-court settlements a better option?
A. The majority of the claims settle without filing of a
lawsuit. With skilled negotiations between your attorney and the
defendant's insurance carrier, a fair settlement can
often be agreed upon. However, unless an insurer understands you are
represented by an experienced legal firm prepared to proceed through
trial, your chances of receiving
a full settlement are diminished. Putnam Lieb has a proven record of
delivering fair settlements for their clients and for aggressively
pursuing their clients' rights if a trial
becomes necessary.
Q. When do you make the determination to negotiate with the insurer
or to file suit?
A. There are a number of issues we take into consideration
before helping you decide whether to file a lawsuit. They involve:
· The strength of your case.
· The willingness of the defendant or their insurance company to negotiate in good faith.
· Timing issues that may require more aggressive legal tactics to ensure legal deadlines are met.
Q. If a lawsuit is filed, how long will it take until it's tried?
A. It is difficult to estimate how soon a case will be tried.
Civil cases take a back seat to criminal cases in court schedules.
Counties vary in their caseloads. And the
complexity of your case impacts the time it takes to prepare for a trial.
Our goal is always to obtain a fair settlement BEFORE going to trial
to avoid the additional expense and
inconveniences. Regardless of whether your case requires negotiations or
a full trial, you can be assured that, because of the experience of
the staff at Putnam Lieb, you'll
get the quickest resolution of your case possible.
Q. If the decision is reached to file suit, what is the process I
can expect?
A. To file a lawsuit, a formal Summons and Complaint must be
filed in the appropriate court and served on the defendant. After
the defendant has answered, the attorney
for the defendant may send written requests for information called
interrogatories. Following this, the defense attorney may take your
testimony under oath during sessions
called depositions. Likewise, on your behalf, we will send
interrogatories and take depositions of the defendant and other
witnesses. The defendant may require you to
submit to an independent medical exam to determine the extent of your
injuries. We take great care in briefing you on the progress of your
suit and in preparing you for trial.
Q. What type of damages am I entitled to collect?
A. The law divides damages into two kinds-"special" and
"general." Special damages are the out-of-pocket expenses you have
actually experienced or will experience in the
future, such as medical expenses and wage loss. General damages are the
more intangible "costs" of an injury-the pain and suffering,
inconvenience, and loss of enjoyment
of life.
Q. What determines the amount I am entitled to collect?
A. The amount of damages is generally determined by what
juries have awarded for similar cases. To determine the amount of
the lawsuit, we review previous verdicts and
compare them to your case looking at the severity of the injuries, cost
of medical bills, liability factors and level of permanency of the
injuries. To encourage a settlement and
avoid the costs of a courtroom trial, we work very hard on the front end
to ensure the defendant's insurer understands the seriousness of
your losses and our willingness to
enforce those damages in court. As a client of Putnam Lieb, you are
backed by over 20 years experience in negotiation and proven
courtroom success.
Q. If I am partly at fault for my injuries, can I still be awarded
damages?
A. Yes, but the award will usually be reduced by your share
of blame. Ensuring that the award is based on a legitimate share
requires skilled and aggressive work by your
legal counsel.
Q. What if the other party doesn't have insurance, or has too little
insurance to cover my damages?
A. If there is no insurance, or if it is inadequate, the
liable party may pay from their own pocket. If they do not have the
resources to pay the award, your own insurance may
contain coverage for "uninsured" or "underinsured" defendants. Your
homeowner's policy may provide some protection in non-automobile
cases. We will work with you to
pursue every avenue of recovery.
Q. If I do try to obtain money from my own insurance carrier, will I
still need the assistance of an attorney?
A. Having insurance does not guarantee you will be
compensated fairly for the loss you have suffered. Your own
insurance provider will work to minimize their losses,
regardless of how legitimate or extensive your losses may be. We strongly
encourage you to immediately seek the assistance of legal counsel
when you are injured or have a
loss to ensure you do not miss opportunities to recover what you deserve.
To schedule a free consultation with the professionals at Putnam Lieb, please call 1-800-225-4529
