LegalReader.com  ·  Legal News, Analysis, & Commentary

Lawsuits & Litigation

Should I Hire Legal Help? 5 Situations Where a Personal Injury Lawyer is Needed


— December 12, 2019

Many lawyers only collect a fee if they win the case for you, so there is really no reason not to seek counsel if you are feeling overwhelmed with the legal proceedings.


If you have been injured and you believe that it was a result of someone else’s negligence, then you may be considering hiring a personal injury lawyer. If you are unsure of whether or not this is necessary, these scenarios will help you to decide. 

Medical Malpractice and Botched Surgery

If you have been injured as the result of a surgical accident, then hiring personal injury lawyers is a good idea. In fact, medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, which means that this is unfortunately an ongoing problem. Hire an attorney to help you navigate the murky waters of a medical malpractice lawsuit, as they can become quite complicated and drawn out.

Traffic Accident Injuries

Woman in brown blazer on stretcher with cervical collar; image by Alexisrael, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, no changes.
Woman in brown blazer on stretcher with cervical collar; image by Alexisrael, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, no changes.

If you are hurt in a traffic accident, particularly if the crash was not your fault, then procuring a lawyer is advisable. An automobile accident can bring up many confusing questions that a professional is best suited to help you answer. Who is at fault? Who is fiscally responsible for any property damage? Who is responsible for medical bills? Is it worth trying to get compensation for pain and suffering? The best part is, most of these types of lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning that they are only paid if they win your case. There is no reason not to hire a personal injury lawyer, as it almost always ensures a better outcome than attempting to get compensation on your own.

Injury in a Public Place

An injury, such as a slip and fall, that occurs in a public place can often be difficult to fight on your own. It isn’t always clear who is at fault, and property owners are typically quite unwilling to accept legal responsibility for an accident unless liability is obvious. It is also fairly common for property owners to argue that the extent of your injuries are not as serious as you claim, so that their fiscal responsibility can be reduced. Further, there is a statute of limitations that varies by state, and puts a time limit on your right to file a lawsuit after this type of accident. A lawyer can help ensure that you file within the correct time period. 

Work-Related Injuries

Sometimes, your company’s worker’s compensation policy is enough to help you deal with work-related injuries. However, if you are injured performing your job and the injuries require extensive medical treatment, involve a great deal of time off of work, or result in permanent damage or disability, you should contact an attorney. If the injuries you have sustained are not clearly work related, meaning that your company could argue that you have a preexisting condition or that you were already injured before the accident happened, you may also need legal help. 

Illness From Exposure to Dangerous Conditions

If you develop an illness from constant exposure to dangerous conditions and carcinogens, such as asbestos, you should seek legal counsel. If an employer knowingly put you in harm’s way without any regard for your health, you will need help getting compensation for your pain and suffering. Illnesses such as lung cancer, bladder cancer, and mesothelioma are the most common occupational cancers, killing nearly 200,000 people annually. If you are diagnosed with a deadly illness as a result of your occupation, particularly if the illness keeps you from working and earning your salary, it is important that you hire someone to help you get what you deserve from your company.

Knowing when it is appropriate to hire a lawyer to help deal with personal injury can be tough. However, many lawyers only collect a fee if they win the case for you, so there is really no reason not to seek counsel if you are feeling overwhelmed with the legal proceedings. You are also likely to get a higher settlement offer if a lawyer is involved in your case, so do not be afraid to ask for assistance if you need it.

Join the conversation!