Brampton Injury Lawyers remind us all: if you or a loved one is
injured, it’s important to know your rights.
Whether you’re injured at work, at play or
at home, seek professional advice right away.
Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Thousands
of Ontarian's are injured every day on
the job, in commercial and private vehicles, on public transit, through slips
and falls in private and public places, in bicycle accidents, hit & run
accidents, and in a host of other incidents resulting in personal injury. While
supporting less serious physical trauma, personal injury law also encompasses
wrongful death and fatalities; catastrophic injury; and brain, neck, back and
spinal cord injuries. An experienced injury lawyer will help to expedite both
long and short-term disability benefits, along with other financial remedy
paths to support your physical, emotional and financial recovery.
Legal
professionals will not only advise you and process the necessary documentation,
they are your most effective advocate in navigating through the maze of insurance,
legal and government bureaucracies. In most cases, they do not receive any
compensation until your claims or suits are settled. Returning your life back
to the way it was prior to the accident is the goal of personal injury law in
Ontario.
Your Rights if You Are
Injured
Personal injury law encompasses all types of physical
and psychological injury. Lesser known examples include injuries from car
accidents while texting and driving; it covers truck and commercial vehicle
accidents, motorcycle, boating, ATV and snowmobile accidents. Pedestrian
accidents are also covered by Personal Injury Law.
If you or a loved
one is injured, compensation can include income replacement, and caregiver and
non-earner compensation. Awards often include medical treatments and
rehabilitation therapies. Claims can seek housekeeping and home maintenance
services if required, and should you experience a tragedy, there may be
compensation for death and funeral expenses.
‘What To Do’ – If You Are Injured
Document
care – if you or a family member is
injured, no matter where or how, seek primary care from a qualified
professional. Ask for copies of diagnoses or treatments and begin an injury
diary. Take photos. Continue documenting as treatments proceed; note dates and
times, including the frequency, location and duration of pain and other
injuries.
TIP: record
pain in your diary on a 1-10 scale indicating intensity.
Treatment
care – Continue treatments until they
are completely finished; quitting early may
inadvertently indicate a lesser extent of the injury, and increase the
likelihood of returning symptoms and possibly a longer recovery period.
Legal
care – Protecting
your current and future rights to compensation should be your second priority,
after medical stability. Seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer right away.
Most offer a free consultation,
where you will be explained all of the related remedies, their timelines,
paperwork required, and, if necessary, the recommended legal courses of action.
It's the best free education and insurance policy you will find under the
circumstances.
Financial
care –Organize and record all expenses, including car mileages and time spent. Record
money spent for parking, taxis, and any other expenses incurred while dealing
with your injury or its treatment.
Emotional
care – Have patience; claims take time.
Consult your personal injury lawyer if you have questions. Be consistent in
your complaints as they reflect on your claim. Be realistic as your claims may
be reviewed by many professionals including insurance adjusters, juries and
judges. Remember, the process of injury compensation has both short
term and long term remedies. The effects of trauma are not always evident
immediately after an accident.
The Law Society of Upper Canada has an informative video
explaining Personal Injury Law and the remedy
process.