(Newswire.net — June 19, 2020) — As the coronavirus pandemic makes its way across the globe, it leaves death and uncertainty in its wake. With its high infection rate and the need for entire cities to essentially shut down in order to limit its spread, many people are understandably worried about their health and their employment status more than anything else. In the wake of those key concerns, personal injury lawsuits would seem comparatively trivial, but for some people those cases are still important even in the midst of a pandemic.
If anything, the covid-19 pandemic would make their personal injury cases even more urgent because they may not have any other way of paying for their accident-related expenses like medical bills and repair bills, not to mention any lost wages because they are unable to work. A personal injury settlement might not fix all of their problems as the virus continues to spread, but it could provide some much-needed relief. If you live in the Los Angeles area and need the aid of a personal injury attorney, then contact the King Law Firm to get the help you need.
You Can Still File a Claim During the Pandemic
Despite the stay-at-home orders across the country people can still go out if they need essential items or if they are essential workers. That means accidents and personal injuries can still occur during the coronavirus pandemic. If you do experience a personal injury during the pandemic, then you can still file a claim with an attorney as nearly all of them are still open, albeit virtually. So you can still consult with an attorney electronically and they will help you to file your claim.
Most courts are still closed to the public but they have allowed their operations to continue virtually over the internet. However, if you are filing a personal injury case, then you may not have to worry about the courts at all since personal injury cases rarely go to trial. So you can go ahead and file your claim even as the pandemic is going on.
Medical Treatment During the Pandemic
With most hospitals being filled with mainly coronavirus patients to the point that they are almost overwhelmed, it is understandable if some people see their personal injury treatments delayed. In some cases that delay is voluntary, in other cases, the victim has no choice. In some cases, medical procedures have been moved to outpatient facilities, but no matter the case it is vital that you stay in touch with your doctor and document the symptoms and conditions of your injury.
Even if your treatment ends up being delayed, you should try to complete it before you close your case. The reason is that your medical expenses are a big part— if not the only part— of your settlement and your personal injury attorney will need a full accounting of your medical expenses in order to get you the compensation you need to cover them. That means that your case could get delayed until you get the medical treatment that you need, but getting that treatment is best for your health and your case.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Even if Your Medical Treatment is Delayed
If your medical treatment is delayed because your local hospitals are at capacity or you are afraid of contracting covid-19 in a crowded space, then you might think that you should delay contacting an attorney as well. That is not the case. You should still get in touch with an attorney after suffering a personal injury even if you are unable to get medical treatment at the time.
No matter the circumstances, a personal injury lawyer offers you the best chance of getting the compensation that you need to cover your medical bills. So call an attorney and tell them about your case as soon as possible even if you have to wait to get medical treatment. It is best to get the ball rolling on your case early.
Statute of Limitations During Covid-19
Due to the coronavirus and the various lockdowns implemented as a result of it, many states have suspended the statute of limitations for certain cases including personal injuries. You should find out if your state has suspended their statutes and for how long. A personal injury lawyer will be well aware of any statute suspensions, which is why you should get in touch with one as soon as possible after you have suffered a personal injury.
Is Getting Infected with Covid-19 Considered a Personal Injury?
In general, the contraction of a virus is a shaky claim for a personal injury case, but considering that the coronavirus is new territory for everyone, you can certainly try. As with any type of personal injury case, negligence would have had to have played a role in your contracting the virus. You may not be able to prove that one person was responsible for your getting covid-19 but if you were in a facility like a prison or nursing home that failed to follow the proper sanitation procedures, then you can file a lawsuit against that facility.
If you went to a hospital for treatment for coronavirus symptoms but the hospital was negligent in treating you for them, then you could potentially have a medical malpractice case on your hands. But before you go ahead and sue a facility over the contraction of the coronavirus, you should contact a personal injury attorney and get their advice first.
Always Contact an Attorney for a Personal Injury Case
Even though the covid-19 pandemic has caused a lot of uncertainty in various institutions, you should still consult an attorney if you have suffered a personal injury. Even if that personal injury took place during the pandemic you will still need compensation to take care of your expenses, if anything you might need that compensation more than ever. An attorney will help you to weigh your options and give you advice about what you need to do next.