If you are one of the millions of people across the country injured by the careless actions of others, don’t feel alone. If you have been injured through the actions of a large corporation, you may feel helpless, but with the right help, you can receive justice. Here are some of the things you should do as a victim to get the compensation you deserve.
Victims usually get less than they have coming because they don’t know their rights and they don’t know how to sue a big corporation. And how could they? They are up against an industry that has huge resources, both monetary and legal, and knows how to defend itself against personal injury lawsuits. Insurance companies know how to keep from paying out any more than absolutely necessary.
Finding an attorney
There’s no getting around it. You need an attorney. And not just any attorney. You need a lawyer in a law firm that sues major corporations for a living. Here are some of the reasons you need them.
They know how much your claim is worth. It may be much more than you realized, so listen to them. Usually your first consultation is free anyway, so call them and talk.
Attorneys understand the legal process. They know the rules and procedures to be followed as well as the time limits involved.
Engaging a specialty law firm will also greatly increase your odds. Going it alone is stupid. In addition, they are motivated to get you the best settlement possible. The more money you get, the more they get.
They know how to negotiate and, if negotiations do not go well, they can take the case to trial. Just having an attorney shows your adversary you are willing to go to trial if necessary, motivating them to settle.
What it’s worth
So, what is your case worth? Here are a few examples of settlements recently won by the law firm of Herman Herman & Katz of Louisiana :
- $24,227,916 for brain injury
- $10,000,000 for burn injury
- $9,622,030 for an electrocution and brain injury
- $7,450,000 for offshore maritime/wrongful death
- $1,500,000 for offshore maritime
Settlements like these are not simple matters. Corporations and insurance companies that prioritize profit over public safety dig in their heels, refusing to admit their mistakes and accept responsibility. They will delay as long as possible, throwing up obstacles intended to exhaust you and your resources in the hope that you will give up or settle for less than you deserve. They know how to work the system to drag out the process and guard their profits. It is not unusual for them to slander the victim in the process as well.
For these reasons, if you file a personal injury claim, you need a law firm with trial lawyers that have experience fighting powerful corporations.
Corporations maintain legal departments to delay the process and frustrate personal injury victims, most of whom do not have the money to pay a lawyer by the hour. Fortunately, most of the firms that specialize in large settlement lawsuits work on a contingency fee basis. Their fee is contingent on recovering compensation for you. In other words, you don’t pay any out of pocket expensesfor anything until settlement.
What to expect
A personal injury law firm will often arrange to make sure your immediate financial and medical needs are met while they prepare your case. If you consult with a specialty firm, ask about this. If they are willing to front your expenses, it is a good sign that they are confident they will be able to win. If they don’t win, you are out nothing but your time.
In a perfect world, the responsible party would reach out and compensate you for the injuries they caused. Sadly, these corporations whose bottom line is the most important focus of attention, must be compelled to do what is right. That is why the courts and justice system exist. You have to fight back.
It is only because people fight back that we have clean air, safe drinking water, mandatory seat bels and warning labels on products. Taking the corporations to court is not just an option. It is every citizen’s duty.