Personal Injury Case Reminders

If you are considering proceeding with legal action related to your personal injury, here are some things an injury lawyer should advise you to keep in mind...

COMMUNICATION ABOUT YOUR CASE
Do not discuss your accident or give any written or oral statements to anyone besides your doctor and your injury lawyer as you do not want to provide any unnecessary information to the other party or insurance companies that could be used against you. You can refer any inquiries from insurance companies to your attorney. No one except your doctor and your injury attorney need to receive updates on your injuries, health history or recovery and any paperwork you are asked to sign should be sent to your lawyer for review. Certainly don't make any false statements to any doctor who may be treating you. If you don't know something or can't remember, it is okay to say so.

MEDICAL PAYMENTS BEFORE YOUR CASE IS SETTLED
While your case is pending against the insurance company of the person that caused your injury, your injury lawyer may try to arrange to have your medical bills paid by your own insurance company. This could be from the medical payments provision of your own automobile insurance policy or your own health insurance policy, or if applicable, worker's compensation insurance. Please be sure that all medical bills that relate to your injury are sent to your injury lawyer (if that is The Krebs Law Firm: 1360 E Bradford Parkway, Springfield, MO 65804), so that he/she may handle them appropriately, monitor your case and forward them to the appropriate insurance company.

YOU MAY BE WATCHED AND PHOTOGRAPHED
When a claim is filed by an injured person, insurance companies routinely conduct a detailed investigation of the injured person's background. It is not uncommon for an insurance company investigator to park a surveillance van near your house and videotape your activities. These investigators work very hard to obtain videotapes of claimants lifting heavy groceries or engaging in strenuous physical activity that contradict an injury claim. However, these same surveillance tapes have been useful to corroborate our client's limitations, including the use of canes, crutches, etc.

If you believe you are being watched, try to avoid the camera and please call us. Do not exaggerate your limitations or pose for the camera.

MEDICAL LIENS ARE POSSIBLE
Some injury victims are involved in an accident where there is no medical payments insurance, worker's compensation or private health insurance. In such cases, your doctor will expect to be paid by you at the conclusion of this case. Often they will require you to agree, in writing, to have your injury lawyer pay them directly from the proceeds you receive.

Health care providers may file a "lien" which must be paid out of the proceeds of your case. If your doctor asks you to sign what is often called a "lien letter", be sure to contact your injury attorney. In some cases, it may not be appropriate for you to sign such an agreement.

SUBROGATION BY YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY
If any insurance company pays some of your medical or other expenses arising from your injury, the law provides "subrogation" which means that the insurance company stands "in your shoes" and can recover from the liable party some or all of the amounts paid on your behalf. If the insurance company chooses to do this, they usually are required to pay their proportionate share of the attorney's fee and costs in connection with the recovery. This is handled on a case-by-case basis and your injury lawyer should discuss it with you if it becomes applicable in your injury case.

IF YOU FILE BANKRUPTCY
If you are considering filing bankruptcy, you should know that you may lose all rights to your personal injury case. The Bankruptcy Court can take over your case, settle your case and give your settlement money to your creditors, and you will receive nothing. Be sure to talk to your injury lawyer before filing bankruptcy. Recent changes to bankruptcy laws should be reviewed in detail before making this decision.

UNINSURED/UNDERINSURED DRIVERS AND INSURANCE COVERAGE
If you were in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist, you may be eligible for benefits under your own policy or the policy that covered the vehicle you were in at the time of the accident. Many insurance companies have special requirements if you desire to proceed against the uninsured motorist provision of the policy. In most cases, you will be able to collect for your lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, etc., in the same way as if the driver that hit you did have insurance. Your injury lawyer will ask you to provide a complete copy of your own insurance policy in force at the time of the accident in case this is necessary.

CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT
Any injury claim, whether it stems from a car collision or other event that involves the government, is subject to special rules. The governmental entity involved may be the state, a city, a county, local government, or the United States. Generally, a "Notice of Claim" must be filed with the appropriate governmental agency very soon following your injury. If you believe that the government may be involved in your case, please notify your injury lawyer immediately.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
In the event you receive any form of government assistance, any settlement or verdict proceeds you receive may be subject to liens and/or limitation of the assistance program up to and including revocation or termination of government assistance to the party receiving such proceeds. Please advise your injury lawyer of any government assistance you are receiving.

BOTH PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL RECOVERY TAKE TIME
Depending on the circumstances and complexity of your injury case, your injury and the willingness of the opposing party to act reasonably, the time to resolve a case can vary, but is rarely fast. Many car accident cases and slip and falls can settle within 3 to 9 months from the date of the accident. Many nursing home malpractice cases or wrongful death cases can take anywhere from 6 to 30 months to resolve depending on its complexity. Don't expect to claim an injury and get a check the next day from your injury lawyer. Making a personal injury claim isn't about trying to make some extra cash for that flat screen TV you want to buy next week. Filing a legal claim is a serious matter done to protect your health and recover compensation for your other expenses incurred as a result of an accident and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Obtaining proper evidence and testimony and effectively proving a claim can involve dealing with multiple medical and insurance personnel with opposing interests and a lot of bureaucratic policies and procedures. It will take some time and you will need to be patient.

More helpful legal information if you have been injured:

• What to do if You are Injured in an Accident
• What a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Do for You
• Elements of a Personal Injury Lawsuit
• Accident Types for Personal Injury Cases

• Social Security Disability

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