When someone you care about gets seriously injured because of someone else’s carelessness, it is easy to feel helpless and at odds with the world. Having to watch anyone, especially someone close to you in pain is not easy. This doesn’t mean that there is nothing to be done, however, and it is important to know that there are steps you can take in order to get justice for a loved one who has been injured in an accident.
1. Talk To A Lawyer
The person responsible for the accident will have a lawyer whose job it is to defend them from charges, which means you need to have one as well. As the attorneys at HelpingInjuredPeople point out, you want someone that not only has an in-depth understanding of personal injury law but who also has significant courtroom experience. A lawyer can help you understand which steps would be the most suitable in the specific situation you present them with. In some cases, filing a claim through the court of civil claims is more effective, while in other cases it may be imperative that you file a criminal complaint against the person who has injured your loved one. They will know which is the best course of action in your situation.
2. Get The Necessary Documents In Order
Being able to show evidence of an injury is key in most cases. That means you, as the person caring for the victim, need to keep records of everything that has happened since the accident occurred or since your loved one’s pain started. This includes but is not limited to medical bills, receipts for medication they have had to take, and any other documents that show, in your opinion, how much pain they are currently in. The more documentation you have of this sort the better. Taking photos of the injury is also recommended. While not every piece of evidence might end up being used, it’s better to be on the safe side, than to risk omitting something important. If they are missing work or can’t perform their usual day-to-day activities because of the injury, then that is something you want to document as well.
3. Reach Out To Their Employer
If your loved one is unable to contact their employer due to their injuries, or they’re not in the right headspace to do so, it might be a good idea to do so for them. If they have to miss work because of the accident, they might be entitled to additional compensation for their injury. The amount of money depends on the person’s current salary and how much time they’ve missed in accordance with their contract or because it is required by law. This is something that could help them in the future if the situation requires it. More than that, though, you want to ensure that their job isn’t in jeopardy due to them being unable to perform their assigned duties. You may also need to provide their workplace with a doctor’s note in order to ensure they get properly compensated for their sick leave.
4. Witness Information
Having other people confirm that the accident was not a freak accident but a result of negligence or carelessness on someone else’s part can help your case. While you don’t necessarily need to be the one asking questions – in some cases that’s better left to the police and the lawyers, you want to make sure you have the contact information of anyone who was there when the accident happened that’s willing to testify in court. Depending on the situation, you might also want someone who can talk about your loved one’s character. For example, if they got injured at work, you might want to have someone that can testify about their work habits – how careful they always are with their equipment, that they follow all the safety rules and precautions – basically just talk about their general good quality of work. If they were injured in a car accident, you want to find people who will say the same about your loved one – that they’re careful drivers and whatnot. This is another way of showing that their injury was not due to carelessness and negligence on their part and that it’s solely due to someone else’s mistake.
All acts of carelessness, negligence, or intentional harm done to another person can lead to criminal charges and a civil lawsuit. In the event that someone you love has been injured due to someone else’s actions, or inactions, it is important that you follow the necessary steps to ensure that the responsible party is held accountable for what they have done. This includes talking to a lawyer, reaching out to your loved one’s employer, gathering witness testimony, and obtaining proper documentation of their injury.