Thursday, August 20, 2009

Nursing Home Abuse: How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

by Don M. Maxwell

Someone at your grandfather's nursing home messed up and he was seriously hurt. You need accountability and don't want it to happen to anyone else. Not only was he injured but there are medical and other bills that need to get paid because of what happened. No one is taking responsibility and you are frustrated. Where do you turn? A personal injury lawyer experienced with these types of problems is your best bet. She'll know just what to do so that you get satisfaction.

You and your loved one need to be compensated. Unfortunately people don't always do the right thing. Often there are insurance companies involved and you know they won't make sure your damages are paid. You need to find someone who is experienced at dealing with these situations, who knows all the ins and outs, and who will go to the mat for you. An aggressive attorney can help you cut through the red tape and chase down all the millions of details so you don't have to. You can easily find an attorney to represent you. Their ads are on TV, in the phone book and on the Internet. You can ask your friends and call the local Bar Association for a referral. The trouble isn't finding an attorney, it's finding a good one.

How do you pick a good attorney from all the thousands who are in practice? Start by finding one licensed in your state. Ask questions to find out how long he has specialized in personal injury law and how many cases he has handled. Your state bar association can tell you whether there have been any complaints against him. Make sure you know who will be working on your case like paralegals, associate attorneys and others. Ask whether he intends to turn the whole thing over to a less experienced attorney in the firm.

Your first visit should be a free consultation to explore the situation and possible damages. The attorney should ask a lot of questions and really listen to your answers. If she brags about what a big payout she'll get for you without really knowing the situation, that's a big red flag. You should leave the interview with a very clear understanding of how long this could take and what to expect. You'll probably work closely with her staff so you should have the opportunity to meet them. An ethical attorney won't leave you wondering about fees and other costs.

In personal injury cases, the details matter. The opposing side will try to minimize the injuries and damages or try to link them to previous incident. Your attorney will want to see all medical records and will probably enlist the help an expert. You and anyone else involved in the case will most likely undergo a formal interview called a deposition in which both your attorney and the other side ask you questions about what happened. You might go through a mediation process to try to settle the case without going to court. Your attorney should talk you through all these steps and any others to make sure you fully understand what is happening and why.

At a time when you are upset about a serious incident in a nursing home, you don't want to have to get justice all by yourself. An experienced personal injury attorney is your ally and best chance to be fully compensated for all damages. He'll make sure you get what is coming to you as well as ensure that it doesn't happen to anyone else. You'll have peace of mind knowing that your attorney is working hard for you.

About the Author:

When looking for an Omaha injury attorney or Nebraska nursing home abuse lawyer, keep these factors in mind. No obligation consultations give you the opportunity to find the right fit when selecting a medical malpractice lawyer.

View this post on my blog: http://travelnursesuccess.com/nursing-home-abuse-how-a-personal-injury-lawyer-can-help

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