You Should Still Have An Injury Lawyer For Out Of Court Settlements In Florida
One of the most inconvenient things that can happen to a person is being injured in an accident that isn’t your fault but someone else’s. In the worst cases, those at fault will deny responsibility, which can result in a legal contest, such as a lawsuit, with a court forcing a resolution in your favor and legally requiring those at fault to compensate you.
However, in some situations, things don’t have to get taken to this legal extreme. There are plenty of cases where someone at fault recognizes their responsibility and owns up to it. In the fortunate circumstance that this happens, it simplifies many things since now the only major goal is to decide on a settlement but is this something you still need a lawyer for?
The Numbers Aren’t Simple
In one sense, the major challenge, a fight in court, has been avoided. The hurdles of gathering evidence, presenting arguments to a jury, and convincing them of the rightness of a claim have all been eliminated, and most people would agree a good injury law attorney is essential during that process. However, the earliest phases of that process, in preparation for the case, still have some bearing on an out-of-court settlement, especially regarding the actual settlement amounts.
As with going to court, you are not legally required to have a lawyer represent you, but, as with a court case, it is always a good idea to have a legal expert on your side in these matters if the situation is going to be complex. There are some instances where you may not need a lawyer, and lawyers themselves might not recommend their services. A simple case of premises liability is an example.
Premises liability is the legal concept that states a property owner is responsible for maintaining a minimum amount of care and diligence in creating a safe environment for visitors. Putting up barriers and signs around a slippery floor that has spilled liquid and promptly cleaning up that mess is an example of carrying out this responsibility. However, if the property fails to do this, and you slip, fall, and receive an injury, that’s negligence, and the property is now liable for your damage.
However, if the bruising is minor and doesn’t require serious hospitalization or medical treatment, and the property is willing to compensate you in some manner such as cash or shopping credit, this doesn’t require any legal expertise.
Figuring Out Recovery
On the other hand, if you’ve received a serious injury, have been unable to work due to medical treatment and recovery, or, in the case of a crippling injury, may be unable to return to your former occupation, this changes the equation dramatically. Lost salary, livelihood, family support, and even prospects like physiotherapy or a lifetime disability requiring new medication or equipment like a wheelchair all mean much more thought has to be given to future finances.
Talking to a Sarasota personal injury attorney about this can be crucial even when the other party is willing to settle out of court. It can be the difference between negotiating a legally binding agreement that leaves you in a financial crisis in just a few months because the compensation is too little and getting a proper calculation and settlement for what you deserve.
