At The Law Office of Joseph J. Perrini, III, we get a lot of questions about the personal injury claims process from our clients. We understand how confusing and stressful the situation can be, and we work to ensure our clients have peace of mind that a professional and experienced team is handling their legal matters.
Part of our dedication to clients is answering some of the most common questions here. With the readily available information here, we feel our clients can focus on their recovery rather than worrying about what will happen.
Here, you can learn more about the personal injury claims process and what you need to do to get things started.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Long Island
We encourage you to seek medical attention immediately after an accident. This is true for car accidents, slip and fall incidents, injuries caused by defective products, and more. Your health and well-being are the priority.
After seeking medical treatment, contact our legal office at (516) 908-8659. Once you make this call, you have initiated the personal injury claims process.
Schedule a Preliminary Interview
Even if you were referred to our office by a former client, we would schedule an initial consultation to determine whether we can take your case. During this meeting, we encourage you to ask questions and determine if it is a good match.
Personal injury lawsuit cases can be long, emotional processes, and we will work closely together through this time. You must feel comfortable with us and confident in our abilities.
Intake and Investigation
The intake process involves us learning about the details of your accident. We will interview you to ensure that we get all the information and significant facts about the situation.
A consistent, accurate, and thorough description of your accident is crucial to any personal injury lawsuit. The information we gather will provide the foundation of our complaint and the opening and closing arguments at trial (if your case proceeds to this point).
We use the information to create a “story” of how someone else’s negligence impacted and changed your life. It creates the basis of the demand letter and compensation amount we request on your behalf.
During intake, we will also explain your claim’s potential weaknesses (if there are any) and the strategy we will use to focus on the strengths. We will also provide a warning (given to all clients) related to using social media while your case proceeds. Our team will also provide you with multiple methods you can use to contact us if you have a sudden issue or question.
Once the intake process is complete, the investigation process begins. We will photograph the location of your accident and any equipment or materials involved. We have experienced investigators who will interview witnesses and speak to others who may be able to help with your claim.
Filing the Summons and Complaint
When we reach this stage, you are an official personal injury plaintiff and the claimant. The person or entity being sued is the defendant.
When the summons and complaint are filed, you let the court and defendant know that you experienced harm and expect compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
Gathering Evidence and Discovery
During this stage, we work to complete your file. Information gathered as evidence includes medical reports and records, inspection reports, insurance policies, and witness statements. All this is considered crucial evidence that will aid our efforts to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
During discovery, both sides request evidence from the other side. If a dispute or one side refuses to provide the requested evidence, a judge will decide whether the information must be disclosed.
Pre-Trial Examinations
At this point, all involved parties testify under oath. However, this is not done in court or in front of a jury. The EBT (examination before trial) usually occurs in a lawyer’s office. The testimony is recorded.
This is an important stage since the statements made during this give both sides a better idea of the strengths and weaknesses in the other party’s case. The EBT may result in your case being settled, and it is an important factor during negotiations. It is also used during the trial to ensure accurate and consistent statements.
Since the EBT is so important, your attorneys will spend hours preparing for it. While some of our clients are nervous about the interview process, we have found that our clients become self-assured and confident with enough practice. We provide additional appointments to ensure you are comfortable with the questioning if needed.
Mediation and Negotiation
During the litigation of your case, mediation and negotiation may occur. Usually, mediations are in a lawyer’s office and nonbinding. If mediation is unsuccessful, your case moves to the next stage, a trial.
Negotiations occur during any point in the litigation, and mediation can be scheduled by the court. If all involved parties agree, mediation can also be handled by a private mediation service.
Some people claim that lawsuits are like war. If this happens in your case, you can count on our legal team to handle the negotiation process as if it were a battleground.
Every personal injury case is unique. We will work with you and the facts of the case to ensure you have the best possible outcome possible.
Trial
It is important to note that most personal injury lawsuits settle before going to trial. However, if required, our personal injury attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial.
Once the evidence is collected, the EBTs are transcribed, and you are ready to testify, the trial will begin. At the trial, a jury of your peers will hear about the incident and how it has impacted your life. We take time and put in a lot of effort to prepare compelling opening and closing statements.
The jury will decide on your case, and our goal is to ensure they understand why you should receive the maximum compensation allowed for your injuries.
Settlement and Verdict
Everyone has heard of the term “damages;” however, you may not understand the different losses that impact the damages you will receive. Losses included in personal injury damages include your physical injuries and how the injuries have affected your quality of life. The damages also include lost wages, lost earning capacity, and your future prognosis.
The settlement is the amount of money you are awarded. Settlements are guaranteed payments. Verdicts, on the other hand, are not guaranteed. Both defendants and plaintiffs can appeal the verdict of a trial, and the appeal may result in the amount being increased or reduced.
Handling the Money You Receive as Damages
If your case ends with a settlement of a verdict of $1 million or more, we are concerned that you may be unsure how to handle this large sum of money. We can help you use the funds to secure and protect your future. In some situations, it may be beneficial to negotiate an annuity or structure. These specialized financial plans pay you set amounts of money over time and earn interest.
We do not stop helping our clients when the case is over. You can count on us to be there to assist you if you have future questions or concerns.
Why Hire The Law Office of Joseph J. Perrini, III for Help with Your Personal Injury Claim
You will encounter several choices when you research personal injury lawyers in and around Long Island. However, when you choose The Law Office of Joseph J. Perrini, III, you can feel confident you have an experienced, professional team of personal injury attorneys dedicated to fighting aggressively for their client’s rights.
While you may be unsure what to do and focused on your recovery, it does not mean you do not deserve quality representation. We are here to provide you with the legal representation you need and deserve.
With a track record of success in and around Long Island, you can feel confident that your legal case is in good hands when you hire us. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay us out of pocket for legal services. Instead, we will receive a percentage of your settlement. This ensures you can get the quality representation you need even when dealing with financial hardship.
The first step in a Long Island personal injury lawsuit is to call our office to schedule a free initial consultation. We can discuss your case, create a plan to move forward, and hold the responsible party or entity accountable for their negligence.
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