When real tragedy strikes you or your loved ones, all your attention and energy centers around providing or receiving the appropriate health care. The last thing you are probably concerned with are the legal ramifications of the event. This is as it should be.

Unfortunately, the folks on the other side of the situation are often insurance companies or corporate institutions, and the only thing they are thinking about is how to minimize the financial harm. The early days and weeks after the incident are often critical with respect to gathering evidence, protecting against the “disappearance” of evidence, and obtaining witness identities and statements.

It may also be true that individuals or families are not sure about what to do with the myriad of related issues that arise after a catastrophe. Decision making might be impaired due to an entirely understandable but overwhelming emotional response. The type and kind of decisions that you are presented with may be so foreign or unusual to you that it is hard to make a confident decision.

At times like these it is often very helpful to have a very experienced advocate and a counselor on your side who is available to address important matters that don’t seem so important to you in the present moment. A good technical lawyer is a sound resource, and one who has over four decades of experience is even better. Ultimately the tragedy may be played out in front of twelve people who weren’t there and preserving and presenting the truth is vitally important.

The types and kind of compensation available in the case of serious injury may include medical bills and hospitalization costs, therapy, lost wages in the past, future earnings, physical pain and mental suffering, loss of consortium, disfigurement, future medical costs.

As with any catastrophic event, the attention and focus of those intimately involved is often on the immediate concerns of family and friends, as one would expect. Obviously not every death is associated with some other party who is at fault and who owes compensation, but it is prudent to consult with knowledgeable and experienced counsel about this possibility. There is no charge for this at The Steidley Law Firm or at other highly reputable and ethical law firms. Whether the answer is immediately apparent or requires further investigation, time may be of the essence.

In addition to a possible action for recovery against responsible parties, there are often issues presented concerning insurance policies, or perhaps benefits that are associated with the deceased person’s employment. In some cases it is important to have an estate on file with the probate court to protect assets and resolve any problems that may arise among the relatives of the departed. All of these questions can be asked and answered, typically without expense. In most circumstances it is best to follow the old adage “sooner rather than later.”

A police report should be prepared, which will be done as a matter of course if police officers are summoned to the scene. Even if the accident appears minor, it is essential that you get all the pertinent information. It is usually helpful for the person involved in the accident to go to the police station shortly after the accident to file a report. This will validate important information about the accident for any insurance company that is involved.

It is highly advisable that you obtain a doctor’s examination after any accident in which you feel there may be a possible injury. Some injuries do not manifest immediately. Whiplash or significant muscle trauma often does not present significant pain or limitation of motion until the day after the accident. If possible, see your primary care physician or chiropractor soon after the accident and of course if you are in immediate pain, go to the emergency room.

You are obligated to cooperate with your own insurance company, but in some circumstances you and the insurance company are not on the same side. For example, if the other motorist is uninsured or underinsured, something you may not know right away, your own insurance company will become the “insurer” for the other driver. Of course it is important to advised the insurance company about the accident, but it does not hurt to have advice about how to deal with their questions.

There is more than one type of coverage on most auto insurance policies, so you may have rights even when you might not think you have. For example, in a hit and run incident your policy may pay as if the other driver did not run, and had insurance. You may also have casualty loss benefits that pay for medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. A short conversation with an experienced personal injury lawyer can answer most immediate questions.

Lawyers stand in a somewhat unique position with respect to their clients, and have one of the highest duties recognized in the law. A lawyer is required to put the interests of his or her client over their own. In the handling of a legal matter the lawyer is required to act reasonably with respect to the client’s interests and can be held accountable if they fail to do so.

A lawyer is not required to be perfect, and in the usual case no specific guaranty can be made concerning a result. In hindsight everyone can make better decisions. Nevertheless, lawyers are held to a particular standard of care, and if they breach that duty, can be required to compensate their former client for any harm that is suffered.

In addition, lawyers must comply with ethical rules. One example is when a lawyer represents multiple clients in the same case, and obtains a global settlement of all claims. The ethics rules required the lawyer to obtain the consent of all the clients to the overall settlement and to the details of the settlement with each individual client. Failure to follow this rule may require the lawyer to return all or part of the fees charged in the representation.

Burns and the loss of limbs manifestly alter the future for the injured worker. The loss of arms, legs, hands, fingers, and toes can occur because of the equipment used, and the need for training and experience in operating that equipment. Even lesser injuries to various parts of the body can be painful, and can limit the worker’s ability to perform the job.

If any of these occur, the prudent course is to obtain a complimentary understanding of your rights from a highly competent trial lawyer.