There’s no simple rule for deciding when you might need to hire a personal injury lawyer. But much of the time, we’re hired by seriously injured individuals who want to make sure they are fully compensated for their injuries.

This begs the question: what, exactly, is “full compensation?” Again, there is no simple answer. The value of a personal injury claim hinges on numerous factors, such as:

The extent of your injuries and medical expenses, and how your injuries are expected to impact your life, both physically and emotionallyIf the at-fault party is proven 100% liableInsurance coverage available The consequences of an injury can be far-reaching, and it’s not always obvious at the start how an injury will impact a victim long-term. That’s why we work with leading experts across a diverse range of disciplines, including health care specialists, accident reconstructionists, forensic pathologists, economists, engineers, and life care planners, to fully assess current and future damages.

Victims sometimes take the first settlement offer made to them because they’re eager to get paid and move on. Insurers routinely offer lowball settlements to people in vulnerable positions, hoping they will accept it. This can be a mistake. And the insurance company knows it. But once you agree to an offer, it’s too late to negotiate for more.

Patience, perseverance, and a methodical, evidence-based approach can force the insurance company to pay more, especially if they know a lawsuit is possible. Although most personal injury matters settle out of court, the prospect of litigation can keep an insurer honest, because once the facts come out in a trial, they are at the mercy of the court.

Even if your injuries are not life-changing, you might feel better talking to an attorney. Injury law is complex, insurance companies act in their own interests, and it’s not always obvious whether you’re being treated fairly.

The time to hire an injury attorney, in short, is any time you want a professional legal advocate who puts your best interests front and center. It’s normal to have accident-related questions. During a free case review, Aronova & Associates can provide initial advice to help you decide if hiring an attorney is right for your situation.

Typically, Workers’ Compensation is considered the “exclusive remedy” for employees who suffer an on-the-job injury or illness. That is, in exchange for no-fault Workers’ Comp benefits, they give up the right to sue their employer. But there are cases where an injured worker can collect Workers’ Compensation and file a personal injury lawsuit.

The catch is that the injury lawsuit must be filed against a negligent third party (i.e., a party other than an employer or co-worker). Third party lawsuits filed in addition to workers’ comp claims can occur in any workplace. For example, a vendor, contractor, or equipment manufacturer can cause an accident and be held liable. But third party lawsuits are particularly common in the construction industry, where many different companies are often working on a single jobsite.

A work accident may be eligible for a personal injury lawsuit even if it did not occur on the jobsite. For example, if an employee was injured in an accident while transporting a work-related haul, the accident would still be considered job-related. If the job exposed the worker to dangerous materials that led to a disease later on, this may also be covered.

In some cases, work injury lawsuits are not just possible, but necessary. Workers’ Compensation isn’t always enough to fully cover a workers’ medical bills and lost wages. When Workers’ Comp benefits fall short, full compensation may only be available through third party litigation.

Don’t assume that you can’t collect Workers’ Comp and also file a lawsuit. Discuss your options with an injury attorney at Aronova & Associates.