With Medicare, the average overnight hospital stay in the US costs $11,700.
Those costs can be life-changing, even for those with insurance or not on a limited budget. If you or a loved one has been hospitalized as the result of someone else’s negligence, it’s only fair that you receive compensation to help cover these costs.
That’s especially true considering that hospital costs aren’t the only costs involved in a personal injury case. But before you pursue potentially costly legal action, you should determine whether or not you have a valid case.
Keep reading to find out.
Do You Have a Personal Injury Case?
In all types of personal injury cases, you must prove three things.
The first thing you need to prove is negligence. That means that one person violated their duty of care toward another person. That violation then resulted in injury.
The second thing to prove is how that negligence caused the injuries. Proving this aspect in a personal injury case requires medical records. These records must link the event to the injury.
The third thing you need to demonstrate is how the damages resulted from your injuries. Damages refer to the compensation or dollar amount, you’re claiming.
The Process of Determining Your Case
To truly determine whether or not you have a personal injury case, you’ll need to speak with a personal injury attorney. They go through a complex process in determining whether you should make a claim.
That process involves lengthy and in-depth interviews with the victim. They’ll also go through documents such as accident reports and medical records. Indeed, your medical records, pay stubs, bills, and other financial documents will help them determine the damages you’ll ask for.
In some cases, lawyers might also consult other experts. These may be medical experts, other legal experts, and trusted professionals that can help you prove your case.
When Should You Pursue a Personal Injury Case?
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s only just that the person at fault covers the costs of those injuries. Remember that, often, a personal injury doesn’t just carry medical and hospital costs. There are also costs for:
- rehabilitation
- lost wages
- damaged property
- future care
- pain and suffering
With that said, it’s not always worth it to pursue a personal injury case. In the case that the compensation you’re expected to receive is less than your legal fees, you’ll have a hard time finding a personal injury attorney to work with you.
Help Navigating the Law
Determining whether you have a personal injury case should really be done by a personal injury attorney. They’ll ask the right questions, review the right documents, and tell you whether or not you stand to receive a compensation amount that’s worth pursuing. But if your accident was the fault of someone else, it’s worth reaching out for a consultation right away.
And for more help navigating the complex world of law, check out our Legal section regularly.
