What Happens After Hiring A Compensation Lawyer? A Complete Guide

Most people consult compensation lawyers when they need to follow up on a personal injury suit. However, they do not know what to expect when they contact their compensation lawyer. Below is a piece detailing the events that take place after hiring a compensation lawyer

Initial Consultation  

During the initial consultation, the lawyer establishes whether you qualify for compensation. For instance, they assess how the other party's negligence caused your injuries. Moreover, the professional examines whether you bear partial responsibility for the injuries. For example, you could have been intoxicated and started an argument with someone. Alternatively, you could have suffered workplace injuries after failing to wear the prescribed safety clothing. The compensation lawyer also evaluates the injury timeline. For instance, failing to seek immediate medical attention could have severed the injuries. On the other hand, your claim could become invalid if you take more than three years to lodge a claim. 

Due Diligence 

Once the lawyer accepts to represent you, they conduct due diligence to determine a suitable negotiation strategy and the amount of compensation to seek. The lawyer evaluates the following; 

  • The injuries suffered during the accident. Typically, the lawyer examines your medical records and consults with your doctors to establish the injuries that can be attributed to the accident.
  • Whether you have health conditions that could have severed the injuries. For example, existing conditions, such as diabetes, could make it difficult for wounds to heal.
  • The amount of money lost as you seek compensation. For instance, you could have lost wages, an employment opportunity, or property during the accident or when recovering.
  • The need for additional rehabilitation after recovering from your injuries. For example, if you lost an arm, you might need rehabilitation to seek gainful employment.  

Lodging The Claim

The compensation lawyer then contacts the negligent party or insurance company and lodges the compensation claim. This could set either of these events in motion. The negligent party could deny the claim if they believe they are not negligent. In this case, your lawyer moves to court if they believe the other party bears responsibility for your injuries. Alternatively, they could accept the claim and conduct due diligence independently before commencing negotiations. In most cases, insurance companies deploy adjusters to determine the authenticity of your lawyer's report. After this, the two parties negotiate until they agree on suitable compensation. 

Settlement 

If you accept the compensation, the defendant's compensation lawyer drafts an agreement detailing the settlement terms. For instance, they could propose paying the money in several instalments. The contract also prevents you from lodging another claim for the same injuries. 


Share