.png)
When thinking of personal injury, what comes to mind? It's probably something that involves a lot of pain and suffering or even catastrophic injuries, right?
However, even though this is probably correct, by law, personal injury can cover a much more comprehensive range of incidents that may be deemed to have infringed on clients' rights.
In most cases, people do not get the compensation they deserve simply because of a lack of knowledge. Knowing when they need help from a personal injury lawyer can be tricky, especially if one is not even sure whether their case warrants a personal injury claim.
That is why this article is here to provide personal injury victims with all the information they need regarding personal injury claims, and how to get help from super lawyers, such as Kenneth Powell and his team of legal experts.
The personal injury lawyers at Powell Law Firm are among the best in Chesterfield, MO, and are available for a free consultation anytime.
If a victim thinks they might have been subjected to personal injury, this is the best place to find out how to hire an experienced personal injury attorney in Chesterfield, MO to help them receive fair compensation today.
What Is A Personal Injury Lawyer?
Personal injury law covers a very wide range of incidents that are deemed to have caused pain and suffering to victims through the actions or negligence of others. It is a very complicated branch of Missouri Law, and personal injury lawyers are the individuals who have an in-depth knowledge of how it works.
St Louis personal injury attorneys such as Kenneth Powell have dedicated their careers to understanding what is regarded as personal injury in Chesterfield, MO, and how best to assist victims, by offering a free and confidential consultation. They have helped victims win damages in a variety of cases including:
Vehicle Accidents
There are many different causes of car accidents that personal injury lawyers deal with, some of which include drunk driving, speeding, driving under the influence, distracted driving, and poor maintenance of vehicles.
Regardless of the cause of the accident, as long as the victim has suffered an injury, they have the right to sue for damages against the at-fault party. The particular circumstances surrounding the accident will dictate how best to approach the case, and it requires the help of experienced Chesterfield personal injury lawyers.
In cases where the car or truck accidents happened in connection with criminal activities or a minor was injured, it is best to contact a personal injury lawyer fast, and book a free consultation, because such cases can get very complicated.
Some of the most common types of animal attacks in Chesterfield, MO are dog attacks that usually happen in residential areas. In such cases, unless the dog owner can prove that the dog bites occurred while the victim was trespassing, attempting to break into their premises, or physically attacking them, then they are held accountable for any injuries caused.
The extent of the injuries caused by the dog bites will determine how much damages are likely to be awarded, which is why victims are advised to seek medical treatment from licensed doctors who can issue them with detailed medical reports that are admissible in court.
Medical Malpractice
Chesterfield, MO victims who have suffered from personal injury as a result of medical malpractice can seek damages against the attending doctors, the hospital, or the insurance company that covers the hospital staff.
Medical expenses and any pain and suffering that may have been caused by the negligence of hospital staff can result in personal injury litigation. These cases can become complicated due to the nature of the medical procedures and the fact that some of these injuries can be very serious. A good Chesterfield, MO personal injury attorney will know the best way to handle such cases.
Nursing Home Abuse
Our elderly are among the most vulnerable members of society, and unfortunately, situations of nursing home abuse are very common in the state of Missouri. As personal injury attorneys, the legal team at Powell Law Firm has had to help a lot of elderly victims receive compensation after suffering at the hands of those who were supposed to care for them.
Any reports of nursing home abuse within Chesterfield, MO, and surrounding areas are taken very seriously, and with the right personal injury lawyer, huge settlements can be won in favor of the victims, or the victim's family members, if the injury results in wrongful death.
Workplace Accidents
An employer has to ensure the safety of all their workers by providing them with adequate personal protective equipment and ensuring that the work environment is kept safe.
If a workplace accident occurs and results in the injury of the workers, then the employers or their insurance companies are liable to pay damages to the injured people.
Personal injury attorneys in Chesterfield, MO usually have to fight tooth and nail to get insurance companies to pay victims of workplace accidents the compensation they deserve.
Slip and Fall Accidents
It usually comes as a surprise to most people, that even relatively small incidents, such as slip and fall accidents, can require the help of a personal injury lawyer.
Chesterfield, MO witnesses a large number of such accidents that are caused by things, such as wet floors, inadequate signage, poor lighting, obstacles left on the ground, and nursing home negligence.
Since in some cases the guilty parties might be reluctant to pay because they believe the incidents to be minor, some aggressive representation might be needed before recovering compensation for slip and fall victims.
Actions To Take After Having Suffered Personal Injury
The success or failure, of a Chesterfield, MO personal injury lawsuit depends on a variety of factors, one of which is the actions taken by the victim soon after the incident occurred. Preparation for a personal injury case does not start on the day the victim walks into a personal injury law firm, but rather in the few moments following the incident.
According to personal injury lawyer Kenneth Powell, the following steps are essential:
Ensure Safety
All the financial recovery victims may later be awarded means nothing if their safety is compromised. It is best to make sure no further injuries take place before addressing all other issues.
Gather Evidence
In Chesterfield, MO, rarely are damages awarded to victims based solely on their own testimonies. Furthermore, in most cases, receiving compensation for a personal injury needs physical evidence such as pictures or video, as well as witness statements which, ideally, should be gathered at the scene of the incident.
Make a Police Report
A police report from the attending officer can be the most powerful tool during settlement negotiations because it carries more weight in the eyes of the law than all other witness statements.
Get Medical Assistance
Victims need to get medical assistance for the sake of their own health, as well as to obtain a medical report which will be required to prove medical expenses and the extent of the injuries suffered.
Contact a Chesterfield, Mo Personal Injury Lawyer
When all this is done, victims should seek the best legal representation by contacting Powell Law Firm for a no-obligation case consultation to discuss the merits of the case. The fact that they work on a contingency fee basis means there is really nothing to lose by giving them a call at their Chesterfield, MO offices at (314) 470-1374 today.
Statute Of Limitations in Missouri
A certain period is given to victims who have been injured to prepare and submit their motions for a lawsuit in personal injury cases. Once this time passes, the personal injury case becomes invalid, and any hope of claiming damages is lost forever. This grace period is what is called a statute of limitations.
In Chesterfield, Mo a typical personal injury claim will have a five-year statute of limitations in which the victim or their personal injury attorneys should initiate the legal process regarding the personal injury claim.
However, not all personal injury cases are the same, and the statute of limitations may be adjusted depending on the unique circumstances of the case. When the accused is suspected to have caused personal injury to the victims through willful negligence, for example, the period is reduced to two years.
Other special circumstances that need to be considered are injuries to a minor, car accidents, or personal injury cases that get upgraded to wrongful death, Determining exactly how much time is available usually requires the services of an experienced Chesterfield, MO personal injury lawyer such as the legal team at Powell Law Firm.
The best time to call them for a free consultation is immediately after the incident in question has happened. Although the statute of limitations in Chesterfield, MO might seem a lot, the groundwork needed for a successful personal injury lawsuit takes time as well.
Other Chesterfield Practice Areas
Call Kenneth Powell Today!
Residents of Chesterfield, MO who have suffered pain and suffering, lost wages, or other forms of financial harm due to injuries sustained at the hands of others need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, such as Kenneth Powell. Contact him, and his team of experts, today, at their Chesterfield, MO offices for a free and confidential consultation.
Comments