Suffering an injury can be a traumatic experience, both physically and emotionally. But the financial impact of an injury can be equally devastating, with medical bills, lost wages, and other hidden costs that can quickly add up through no fault of your own. This is where an experienced personal injury attorney can be an invaluable resource by helping you navigate the complex legal and financial issues that often arise after a serious injury.
Medical Bills
One of the biggest hidden costs of an injury is medical bills. Even if you have insurance, the out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatment can be significant. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may require multiple doctor visits, tests, surgeries, and rehabilitation. All of these expenses and co-pays can quickly add up, leaving you with a huge financial burden.
To help manage your medical bills, it is important to carefully review your insurance policy and understand what is covered. You may also want to consider negotiating with healthcare providers to reduce the cost of treatment. According to NerdWallet, there are a number of strategies for negotiating medical bills, including asking for a payment plan, requesting a discount for paying in cash, and appealing denied claims.
Lost Wages
In addition to medical bills, an injury can also result in lost wages. Although compensable in an injury case, depending on the severity of the injury, you may need to take time off from work to recover, or you may be unable to work at all. This can be particularly challenging if you have a job that does not offer paid sick leave or disability benefits.
If you are unable to work due to an injury, you should be entitled to compensation for lost wages. Lost wages can include not only the income you would have earned during the time you were unable to work, but also any future income that you are unable to earn as a result of your injury.
This can be particularly important if your injury is permanent or results in a long-term disability. The lawyers at Glass & Robson often handle large, significant injury cases that sometimes require an economist as an expert witness to value future lost wages because of a client’s inability to work as they did before the incident giving rise to the injury.
Pain and Suffering
Another factor to consider when evaluating the cost of an injury is pain and suffering. This refers to the physical and emotional pain and trauma that you experience as a result of the injury. Pain and suffering can be difficult to quantify, but it is an important factor in determining the compensation you may be entitled to.
Compensation for pain and suffering is always a compensable component of a personal injury case. However, it can be challenging to determine the value of your pain and suffering, as it is often subjective. This is where an experienced personal injury attorney can be particularly helpful, as they can help you understand the factors that may be considered in calculating this type of compensation. We do this everyday.
Why You Need an Attorney
Given the complex legal and financial issues that arise after an injury, it is important to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. The lawyers at Glass & Robson can help you understand your legal rights and options, negotiate with insurance companies and healthcare providers, health insurance companies, and certainly try your case to a jury if warranted.
There are several reasons why you need a personal injury attorney after being injured because of another’s negligence. These include:
● Understanding your legal rights and options: A personal injury attorney can help you understand the legal issues involved in your case and the potential options for pursuing compensation.
● Evaluating your case: An attorney can help you evaluate the strength of your case and determine the potential value of your claim.
● Negotiating with insurance companies: Insurance companies may try to offer you a low settlement to avoid paying a fair amount. An attorney can help you negotiate with the insurance company to obtain the compensation you deserve.
● Representing you in court: If a settlement cannot be reached, an attorney can represent you in court and advocate on your behalf.
Suffering an injury can have a significant financial impact, with medical bills, lost wages, and other hidden costs that can quickly add up. If you have suffered an injury, it is important to understand your legal rights and options, and to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you navigate the complex legal and financial issues involved.
By carefully reviewing your insurance policy, negotiating with healthcare providers, and working with an attorney to evaluate your case and negotiate with insurance companies, you can help manage the financial impact of your injury and obtain the compensation you deserve. With the right support and guidance, you can focus on your recovery and move forward after an injury.
Sources:
“The Cost of Injuries in the United States.” National Safety Council. Accessed April 29, 2023. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/all-injuries/preventable-death-overview/costs-of-unintentional-injuries/.
“Understanding Medical Bills and Hospital Charges.” American Hospital Association. Accessed April 29, 2023. https://www.aha.org/system/files/2018-03/understanding-medical-bills-hospital-charges.pdf.
“Lost Wages and Other Economic Damages.” AllLaw. Accessed April 29, 2023. https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/personal-injury/lost-wages-other-economic-damages.html.
“When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer.” Nolo. Accessed April 29, 2023. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/when-hire-personal-injury-lawyer.html.
“Negotiating With Healthcare Providers to Reduce Medical Bills.” Consumer Reports. Accessed April 29, 2023. https://www.consumerreports.org/healthcare-costs/negotiating-with-healthcare-providers-to-reduce-medical-bills/.
“How to Negotiate with Insurance Companies.” Nolo. Accessed April 29, 2023. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-to-negotiate-with-insurance-companies-after-an-accident.html.