Q: How do I know if I have a personal injury case? A: First, you must be injured.
Second, the injury must be someone else’s fault.
Third, the responsible person must have insurance or assets to pay for your injuries.
Q: How much is my personal injury case worth? A: Injury cases are generally entitled to several areas of damages.
| 1. Past medical bills | 4. Past lost wage |
| 2. Future medical bills | 5. Projected future loss of earnings |
| 3. Permanency of injury and/or scarring | 6. Pain and suffering |
The value of your case varies by the extent of your damages.
Q: Do we have to file a lawsuit? A: Filing a lawsuit is done only with the client’s permission after all efforts have been made to settle the case.
When a lawsuit is actually filed, that does not mean that it will end up in a trial. However, there is that possibility that once your lawsuit is filed it can go to trial. Oftentimes, when the other side knows you are prepared for trial, they will settle the claim before trial.
Q: Who decides whether to accept a settlement or go to trial? A: We will discuss your options with you. Our job is to evaluate the offer so that you can make an informed choice.
Q: How long do I have to bring a lawsuit? A: You must file your case within a fixed period of time set by the law. In Ohio, that time period is usually two years from the date of the accident. Some limitations periods are shorter. Statutes of limitations may be extended in certain situations, such as when an injured person is under the age of 18. You should never try to figure this out on your own.
Q: Will I hurt the person I am suing by bringing a personal injury claim? A: Most personal injury claims are handled by insurance companies, so the responsible person will not have to pay any of their money.
Q: Do I still have a claim if my medical bills were paid by insurance? A: Under the collateral source rule in Ohio, you are entitled to be compensated for your medical bills and lost wages regardless of whether or not they have been paid by insurance.
Q: What is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and do I have it? A: In Ohio, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage applies in two general situations: (1) Uninsured: the responsible driver has no insurance; and (2) Underinsured: where the responsible driver has insufficient insurance to fully compensate you. Uninsured/ underinsured coverage covers your accident just as your liability insurance provides compensation for the people that you might injure. This coverage typically extends to family members or anyone who is injured in your vehicle.
Q: Who pays my medical bills and lost wages? A: Your auto insurance company will pay some of your medical bills. The amount it pays depends on the coverage you have under your policy.
If you have health insurance, it serves as a backup insurer. It will pay after you have run out of coverage on your car insurance.
Q: Do I need an attorney to handle my personal injury claim? A: Yes! The insurance company will have a team of investigators and attorneys working against you. Insurance companies do not work for you. The insurance company’s goal is to pay you as little as possible.
A good lawyer will seek every category of damages to fully compensate you. Insurance companies know that it is impossible for an individual to take a serious injury case to trial without an attorney.
Q: When should I hire a personal injury attorney? A: Now! While you are dealing with your injuries and money problems, the insurance company begins to work against you. We may arrange for an investigator to take pictures of the accident scene, take statements from witnesses and preserve any physical evidence. You want to make sure that all relevant evidence is preserved and not inadvertently destroyed or lost.
Q: Do I have to pay you any money when I hire you? A: No. Warren Law Firm is a contingency fee personal injury law firm. We are compensated only if we recover money for you. We front expenses and costs.
Q: Do you handle mesothelioma cases? A: Yes. Prolonged contact with asbestos can have long term effects on the body, and it may be time to contact your Chillicothe mesothelioma lawyer. An attorney can assess your claim to best advise you as to whether you have a case, and if there is a possibility of seeking compensation for your exposure. A diagnosis can be stressful followed by more doctor visits, medications, procedures, and insurance companies. With the proper counsel, the burden of this hardship of a difficult diagnosis can be eased on the patient as well as their family. Strive to find the best advice and ease the worry. Have you developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure while working? Asbestos litigation is the longest, most expensive mass claims in U.S. history, involving more than 6,000 defendants and 600,000 claimants. Currently, the rate at which people are diagnosed with the disease will likely increase though the next decade. Our firm also handles these types of cases, and Michael Warren (a Chillicothe mesothelioma lawyer) can help you in regards to getting the care you and your family deserve. Don’t hesitate to call us, we are here to help.
Contact Us Today for your Free Consultation. We will visit you at home or in the hospital and can tell you how much your injury is worth!
