Boston Personal Injury Lawyers

If you've been hurt because of someone else's fault, you may have a personal injury claim. Such a claim seeks to be compensated for your damages by the person, or persons, who are at fault for your personal injuries.

One frequently asked question is "how much is my claim worth"? The answer to that question is almost as unique as each individual. Some elements of such claims are to recover out of pocket expenses. For example, if you lost wages, it's easy to put a dollar figure on that element. You would also be entitled to recover your medical expenses.

Other elements of personal injury claims include damages for pain and suffering, loss of function, mental anguish and disfigurement. These elements are more difficult to value. For example, what is fair compensation for the loss of a finger? If you're a retired librarian, compensation is one thing. If you're a concert violinist, your career may have come to an end and the claim takes on an entirely different magnitude.

In the end, fair compensation is what a jury decides it to be. Settlements are reached by estimating that amount. And the best settlements are achieved when the personal injury attorney pushes the claim to the point of having a jury decide the question.

At the outset of a personal injury claim, there are some points to observe. Here are some of the more important ones.

1. TALK TO NO ONE -- Do not talk to anyone about your accident except a personal injury attorney. You should always require identification so that you are sure who you are talking to. Do not talk to your own insurance company, railroad claim agent, company representative, or any type of agent, attorney or investigator without first notifying your attorney to discuss what you should and should not say and so that your attorney can be present, if necessary.

2. YOUR DOCTOR -- You should return to each one of your doctors as often as necessary and should always tell them about all your complaints. You should not minimize your ailments to your doctors. A doctor must know these things in order to treat you properly. On the other hand, you should not exaggerate your ailments. Doctors are able to tell if someone is overstating a personal injury.

3. RECORDS -- PLEASE KEEP ACCURATE AND DETAILED RECORDS OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Lost time and wages;
2. Hospital, doctor, drug and other medical bills;
3. Other losses directly resulting from your injury;
4. Your complaints and progress as set out in your "My Day" instruction sheet.

All your bills should be paid by check or you should obtain and keep receipts. Keeping these records will be very helpful when, a year later, you will be asked by the defense to recall your pain, difficulties and your expenses.

4. REPAIRS -- Do not have your automobile, boat, airplane, farm implement, piece of machinery, household item or other object that was involved in your accident repaired until it has been examined, photographed, examined by an expert or impounded as may be necessary in order to preserve the evidence as needed for your case. If your case involves a product or instrument not in your control, do not have it repaired or disposed of until it has been, or examined by an expert, if necessary.

5. OFFENSES, FINES OR DISCIPLINARY ACTION -- Do not appear or give statements before: a traffic court, a coroner's inquest, a Federal Aviation Agency investigating board, a railroad investigation agency, a union investigating agency, a maritime investigating agency, or any other type of disciplinary board, panel or other proceedings without first notifying your personal injury present.

6. WITNESSES -- This can be crucial. Keep the correct names, addresses and telephone numbers of any and all witnesses you may learn of. This includes fellow workers and neighbors.

7. EVIDENCE -- Keep the negatives and prints of any photographs pertaining to your case which you or any of your friends have taken. If you are required to be in the hospital and are receiving any type of treatment like traction or physical therapy, you should notify your personal injury attorney to have you photographed. If your injury requires a cast, a brace, traction, or other appliance, save it for evidence in trial. You should contact your own insurance carrier or company for a copy of all their photographs and investigation in your case.

8. HOSPITAL AND DOCTOR BILLS -- Have your own insurance carrier pay as many hospital and doctor bills as possible. You should also have your hospitalization insurance, such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, pay as much on your bills as possible. Doctors and hospitals are more cooperative when their bills are paid. You should not expect them to wait until your case is tried or settled to receive payment. You should, therefore, pay any balance as soon as possible.

Within the area of personal injury claims, we have successfully handled many different types of cases including:

• car accidents
• motorcycle accidents
• pedestrian accidents
• construction site accidents
• scaffolding accidents
• slip and fall injuries
• wrongful death
• medical malpractice
• defective products
• product liability
• insurance claims
• professional malpractice
• legal malpractice
• general negligence
• nursing home injuries

PLEASE NOTE - THESE ARE GENERAL PRINCIPLES. YOU SHOULD SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY TO HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF HOW THESE AND OTHER PRINCIPLES APPLY IN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.