Sustaining an injury can be painful and stressful, and in some cases, could also deem you unfit for work. As the medical bills pile up, the financial burden can be as crippling as the injury itself and when you are already incurring these added expenses, it may seem inconceivable to engage a lawyer as well. While an individual is allowed to handle their own personal injury claim, taking this task on can be incredibly intimidating if you are already managing your health. There are many benefits to hiring a personal injury lawyer to manage your claim for you.

What is involved in lodging a claim for compensation in a personal injury case?

A personal injury claim – especially when dealing with workers compensation – can be very complex. There can be very strict timelines for attending independent medical assessor’s appointments and for providing medical and financial records to the insurer and/or their solicitors. When you are trying to heal and recuperate, staying on top of these demands can be detrimental to your health and wellbeing. Missing a deadline could also set your case back.

A lot of documentation and evidence is required when making a personal injury claim. This may include witness statements, historic medical records from your General Practitioner and specialists and paperwork from your employer. To lodge a personal injury claim, you will need to be able to:

• Collate evidence of your injury or any negligence that occurred;
• Record exactly what needs to be included in your claim, such as medical reports (including psychological trauma), current and expected future medical costs and current and future loss of income; and
• Bear in mind the time limitations that may be attached to your case, particularly where workers compensation is

How can a personal injury lawyer help?

If the above sounds like a lot manage, that’s because it isn’t an everyday occurrence for a lay person. A personal injury lawyer, however, has run many cases similar to yours and will be able to take on your case and help you navigate its complexities.

Some of ways a personal injury lawyer can help you include:

• Providing you with information on the most realistic outcome for your claim;
• Attending to the general day-to-day legal process of your case including talking you through all of your available options and advising on timing;
• Assessing the full scope of your case and the benefits you may be entitled to;
• Ensuring your claim is lodged accurately, completely and in a timely manner;
• Keeping you up to date with progress and staying on top of critical dates;
• Appealing or disputing a decision made in your case; and
• Negotiating and liaising with the other side to ensure you reach the most favourable settlement

When seeking compensation in a personal injury claim, the ultimate goal is to gain the highest financial settlement possible to make up for lost wages, medical and other expenses incurred as a result of the injury and for any future losses associated with the injury, including loss attributed to pain and suffering. Without the assistance of a lawyer, you may feel pressured to settle prematurely and/or for an amount that is far less than you could achieve with the help of a lawyer who specialises in this area. In most cases, personal injury lawyers will act on a no win, no fee basis which means you won’t have to pay them until your case has settled.

It is important to remember that compensation cases can take sometimes take months or even years to settle, which is valuable time needed to help you recover from your injuries. A personal injury lawyer will be able to take your case in their stride and act in your best interests so that you can channel your energies into healing.