Do I need a personal injury lawyer for my claim?
No. While you are not legally required to hire a personal injury lawyer, it is recommended that you do. Your lawyer(s) will bring a wealth of experience, legal knowledge, and objectivity to your claim. In return, this will likely maximize your compensation and allow you to make informed decisions during the lifetime of your claim.
What type of compensations could I receive from a personal injury claim?
The facts of each case are different. Therefore, it is important to consult a lawyer to discuss the merits of your claim and the likelihood of success. While there is no guarantee of compensation, the following are examples of some benefits you may be entitled to:
- medical and rehabilitation benefits;
- attendant care benefits;
- caregiving benefits;
- income replacement benefits or non-earner benefits;
- pain and suffering;
- loss of income, loss of competitive advantage, loss of future earning capacity;
- and more.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
Most personal injury lawyers will not charge you any money upfront. Rather, the lawyer is paid upon the successful settlement or resolution of your claim, on a contingency fee basis. To learn more, please review the Law Society of Ontario’s Guide: Contingency fees: what you need to know.
Can I change my lawyer or legal representative?
Yes. If you are not satisfied with your current legal representation, you have the right to obtain independent legal advice from another lawyer. Once you have identified a potential new lawyer to continue with your case, your new and former lawyers must come to an agreement about payment of legal fees and other expenses.
To avoid issues that may be detrimental to your ongoing claim, it is important to have clear and honest communications with your lawyer.
How soon after an accident should I contact a lawyer?
It is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, even if it is for a free consultation. Depending on the type of accident, you may have as little as TEN (10) days from the date of an accident to notify an at-fault party or insurance company about your injuries. Therefore, do not hesitate and contact a lawyer to ensure timely and effective legal representation.
Do I have to attend Court?
The vast majority of legal proceedings in Ontario are resolved outside of Court. Settlements and resolutions are often achieved through informal negotiations between lawyers or formal settlement conferences, mediations, and pre-trial conferences.
