There are many preconceptions surrounding hiring someone to help win you compensation after an injury. From thinking that it is an extremely complicated process, to worrying about having to stand up in court, far too many people lose out when it comes to receiving reparations for accidents they are involved in.
So when is it a good idea to get someone involved?
When you are not to blame for an accident
Simply put, you should consider hiring a PI solicitor if the incident that caused your accident was not your fault. If someone else was the cause of or caused you to get hurt and they are not willing to take responsibility, it is time to call in the experts. Dealing with insurance companies by yourself can be a daunting task especially in cases where the blame is being disputed. A solicitor will be able to guide you through the process, take over dealing with the insurance companies and ensure that all the evidence is looked at.
When you are a victim of medical negligence
Cases of medical negligence are especially fraught. It is not easy to forget the vaginal mesh scandal that has affected hundreds and hundreds of women. A medical device designed to provide support caused many patients unimaginable pain leading to ongoing health problems like incontinence, loss of mobility and nerve damage. When the products that are designed to help us end up harming us instead, there is no need to suffer in silence. Most medical devices are produced by large pharmaceutical companies with extensive legal departments making an experienced solicitor your best way to seek recompense.
When your injury is serious
While it is (somewhat) possible to deal with a claims process for minor injuries yourself, when it comes to more serious injuries, professional help is advised. This is especially true when injuries require specialist medical help such as a plastic surgeon or physio. There is also the potential for historical injuries to cause serious repercussions months or perhaps even years after the initial accident. The complexities of cases like these are best handled by legal authorities who can ensure you receive an appropriate amount of compensation.
When time is of the essence
We’ve talked about the situation where you might hire a solicitor to make a claim but the timing of when to do it is also important. In the UK for example, there is generally a three year time limit on cases where you are claiming compensation due to negligence. If more than three years have passed since the incident, you will need a special extension from the courts. However, there are exceptions such as in the cases of exposure to asbestos and in some cases of medical negligence, so it is always best to consult a personal injury solicitor sooner rather than later.
Hopefully armed with this knowledge you will feel much more confident about contacting a solicitor to assist you should you find yourself injured through no fault of your own. And if you are still concerned about having to stand up in court, you will be pleased to know that the vast majority of cases never actually make it there. For the most part, claims like these tend to get settled in the solicitor’s office so you won’t need to take the stand.