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Hire a Lawyer
Whether you have suffered a workplace injury, medical malpractice, or an incident due to another party’s negligence, seeking legal representation from a Philadelphia personal injury attorney is essential. A skilled lawyer can help you recover compensation for your damages and losses.
When selecting an attorney for a personal injury lawsuit in Philadelphia, you should always choose one licensed to practice law in your state with a good community reputation. While recommendations from friends and family may be helpful, you should also review attorneys’ profiles on reputable attorney rating guides and peer reviews.
Your lawyer can assist with identifying negligent parties, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, reviewing the facts to estimate the value of your claim, and helping you get the maximum compensation possible. A skilled Philadelphia injury lawyer can also fight against insurance companies that wrongfully deny your claim or pay less than you deserve.
File a Complaint
The next step is to file a complaint with the court. This is an account of what happened and a request for financial compensation.
Depending on the type of case, there are different types of legal complaints. For example, in a personal injury case, the plaintiff might request compensatory damages for their losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. They might also ask for exemplary damages to punish the Defendant for their conduct.
In Philadelphia Municipal Court cases, there are forms to use, or you can create your own. For a small claims case, you can use Complaint-Personal Injury, Property Damage, and Wrongful Death (form PLD-PI-001) plus at least one cause of action.
The Defendant must be served with the Writ of Summons and Complaint. Usually, this involves the county sheriff showing up and handing them documents or sending them by mail. Once the Defendant receives these documents, they have 30 days to answer the lawsuit. We might file a default judgment against them if they fail to respond.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’ve suffered injuries from someone else’s negligence, a personal injury claim could help you recover compensation. The best way to determine if you have a case is to meet with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney.
During your free in-person meeting, the lawyer will interview you about the accident and your injuries. Then, they’ll thoroughly review your medical records and other evidence.
Your consultation will include an assessment of how much compensation you should pursue for your injuries and losses, including past and future medical expenses, lost income and earning potential, emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and more.
It’s important to bring documents such as photographs, diagrams, invoices, estimates, contracts, canceled checks, and other documents that support your claim. Also, be prepared to discuss any limitations your injuries have caused, such as the inability to participate in hobbies or social activities or how they affect family members and relationships. The more documentation you have to support your case, the stronger your legal argument will be.
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Schedule a Trial
Once the legal process is complete and you’ve reached a fair settlement, our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers will finalize the terms of your compensation agreement. Our team will also send a letter to the person or company responsible for your injuries, outlining what you’ve been through and the financial costs you’ve incurred.
You can file a small claims case in Philadelphia Municipal Court if the amount of your claim is less than $12,000, you have the correct name and address of the Defendant (no post office boxes), and you’ve been injured by an incident or accident that happened in Philadelphia. National Guard members and government employees reserve the right to sue in exceptional circumstances that involve their official duties. Insurance companies will often attempt to lower your compensation. A skilled personal injury attorney will optimize your compensation and combat these stalling tactics. Depending on the nature of your case, you should have a jury trial.
