Posted in Wisconsin Workers Compensation Related News
Under the law of torts, or personal injury, an accident may be considered an “Act of God,” meaning it resulted from some natural event — an earthquake, a landslide, a meteor falling out of the sky, or a fire started by lightning. More often, however, an accident is caused by someone’s negligence. If this is the case, it’s time to consult a personal injury lawyer in Milwaukee, WI. The law firm of Hickey & Turim SC specializes in personal injury and worker’s compensation.
Before contacting an attorney, here are a few things to do that can make your case go smoothly.
Get Treatment Right Away
Even if it doesn’t seem serious, some injuries don’t manifest symptoms immediately. If you wind up filing a complaint, the court will want to know that you took all reasonable steps to prevent your injury from getting worse. Failing to do this could hurt your case.
Document Everything
Your personal injury lawyer in Milwaukee, WI will need as much evidence as possible to build a strong case. Photos, videos, interviews with or statements from witnesses, even police reports and medical records should be included. If possible, collect physical evidence, such as a defective component.
Don’t Discuss Your Injury on Social Media
Even if you think that only your “friends” will see it, ill-considered social media posts almost invariably come back to bite. Today, defense lawyers examine plaintiffs’ social media records with a fine-toothed comb, looking for anything they can use to poke holes in their cases. You can never be sure what might harm your claim. As it is for criminal suspects, plaintiffs in civil litigation should remain silent and only discuss the case with a personal injury lawyer in Milwaukee, WI.
Don’t Misrepresent Anything
A Hickey & Turim SC attorney can represent you effectively only if you are completely forthcoming. Even exaggeration or leaving out information can hurt your case and reduce your chances of getting a settlement.
Dress (and Act) for Success
It may seem obvious, but it bears pointing out: lawyers, judges and juries are far more likely to take you seriously when you are well-dressed and groomed and observe courtroom etiquette. If your case winds up going to trial, be prepared: the defense will use every legal trick in the book to trip you up and get a reaction from you. Remain calm and businesslike, or it could hurt your case.
