Don't Leave Any Compensation On The Table

Some injuries are easier to prove than others. If there's no question as to whether your legal opponent or the party that caused your injury is at fault, your main concern is making sure that you get the compensation you deserve. Unfortunately, that can be a difficult battle to fight, as you're faced with income limits of the other party, finding the right amount to ask for and understanding the potential hardships that your injury could cause in the future. Don't settle on a specific figure or attempt at punishment; there are many ways to get the compensation you deserve, and these scenarios can deliver a bit of inspiration.

How Much Is An Injury Worth?

The calculation behind compensation is based on medical costs, lost wages, the value of pain and suffering caused by the injury and the potential costs of living with disability. Pain and suffering is the difficult part, as it depends on precedence for similar injuries and the limits of the judge or arbitrator.

Settlement is always an option, as it depends on what your legal opponent is willing to pay in order to drop the case. Although it's not impossible to later appeal a settlement because of unscrupulous tactics or newly discovered information, you can save months or even years of legal back and forth by consulting an attorney before agreeing to any settlement.

Consider the amount of money you make or made before the accident, as well as a realistic potential increase from a raise or advancing in your career. That amount, plus your medical costs and time spent away from friends and family should be the absolute lowest amount to take, which would be less of a legal battle than a fair handshake to simply go back to a normal lifestyle--if your injury allows a normal lifestyle.

You Can't Squeeze Blood From A Turnip

The phrase "you can't squeeze blood from a turnip" covers debts that simply can't be paid. If a person has no money, you can't collect money. Injury situations such as car accidents are often different because of car insurance covering certain costs, but you need to understand your legal opponent's ability to pay when it comes to personal injury.

Even if they're barely able to pay, what if their payments are irregular or low? No amount of acting tough or being serious about the debt can change a low salary, but you can assess a person's ability to gain higher-paying employment.

Legal agreements can be more successful if you work with the other party to make payment a reality. The low pay might have nothing to do with their skills or life situation, but an attitude or lack of motivation that can be sparked by having a structured meeting. With an attorney, you can lay out the terms of the personal injury claim, the amount they need to pay and the salary that can make the payment a reality.

If you're challenging a company the seems to be good at hiding their assets, try from other angles. If it's a business, find out if they offer tuition assistance or reimbursements for employees and demand that you get vocational rehabilitation.

Stalking isn't a good idea, but if your legal opponent has public assets or observable wealth, offer to trade or liquidate those assets to cover your costs. Contact a personal injury attorney to discuss other opportunities and angles for getting the compensation you deserve.

For more information, Randall A. Wolff & Associates, Ltd or a similar firm.

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