When you suffer an injury or disability, how can you be sure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled?
In many cases there are several sources of benefits available if you are injured or disabled. Some of these sources may overlap. A lawyer skilled in this area can often maximize the benefits which you receive. He may also help ncrease benefits from a single source.
You may know about some benefits which you could be receiving, but not others. An experienced lawyer can determine which benefits you may be able to receive.
You may be able to get benefits for a disability, as well as for an injury. For example, benefits might be available for long-standing arthritis even though there was no specific accident which caused it.
A single injury in a car accident may result in benefits from one or more of the following sources, as well as others: -- the other person's car insurance policy--your own car insurance policy-- your health insurance policy --Social Security--workers' compensation--disability benefits from your employer.
You may be eligible for benefits if you have an injury which was your own fault, rather than the fault of someone else. You can usually get workers' compensation benefits if you are injured while working, even if it was your own fault. No matter what causes your serious injury or disability, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
These different benefits, even if combined, usually will not equal the earnings you had before your disability. If you have a serious disability, it is particularly important to maximize benefits.
A lawyer's assistance may be useful in obtaining a particular benefit. Just because you deserve a benefit does not mean you will receive it. You must be able to prove that you deserve it. A lawyer trained in these areas can help in obtaining and presenting the proof needed to convince the insurance adjuster, or judge or jury, that you are entitled to the benefit.
Sometimes your laywer can help get some benefits paid early in your case while your other claims remain ongoing.
A laywer can also often be helpful in maximizing the value received from a particular source. For certain benefits, such as Social Security, there is a set amount you receive if you win your case. In other areas there is much room for negotiation regarding how much will be paid. While there are exceptions, the goal of the insurance company in most cases is to pay the least amount possible.
Suppose you suffer a long-term injury when someone runs into you with their car. That person's insurance company might pay for your past medical bills and wages you have lost. They probably will not want to pay for future medical bills,future wage loss, and the pain you have endured and will endure. Your lawyer will be your advocate in claiming these additional benefits to which you are entitled.
A lawyer can often assist in maximizng benefits through his understanding of the relationship between the different benefits.
Assume you win your claim against the person who hurt you. Your own health insurance company may then demand that you repay them for the payments they have already paid on your behalf. A lawyer often is able to work to reduce or elinimnate the amount of your benefits which you would otherwise have to pay back to the health insurance company.
For another example, suppose you qualify for both workers' compensation and Social Security disability benefits. Social Security has laws which often reduce your Social Security payment when you are receiving workers' compensation benefits. A lawyer skilled in this complex area may be able to help you settle your workers' compensation claim in such a way that you will receive your full Social Security payment.
The purpose of this article is to make you aware of reasons to hire a skilled lawyer for your injury or disability. It is wise to hire a lawyer as early in your case as possible. If we accept your injury or disability case, we generally do so on a contingency arrangement so that you will not owe a lawyer's fee unless the case is won. If you are not represented by a lawyer, please call us for a free analysis of your case! Our numbers are 479- 968-4747 (Russellville area) or 888-295-4741 (toll-free).
Copyright (c) 2010, Jim Carfagno, Jr., P.A. All rights reserved