missouri personal injury lawyer

If you have suffered an injury due to the negligent or wrongful actions of another in or around Joplin, recovery can seem like a daunting process.

You may be worried about how you’ll pay your bills, including medical bills, while you’re trying to get your health back.

This is incredibly stressful if your injuries leave you unable to work.

If you find yourself in this situation, it’s time to call a Missouri personal injury attorney.

When you feel overwhelmed, the team at Cottrell Law Office is here to help.

What Is Personal Injury Law?

Personal injury law refers to a broad category of civil lawsuits that cover a wide range of negligent or wrongful acts—from slip and fall accidents to dog bites, to medical malpractice, and more.

The most common type of personal injury lawsuit is centered around an auto accident of some sort.

There are over six million of these accidents every year in the United States, and Joplin is not immune from that statistic.

But no matter the injury type, if it is caused by the wrongful actions of another, the injured parties have the right to seek compensation for their losses.

These losses may be obvious, such as bodily injuries or property damage.

But there are other, less obvious damage categories that a plaintiff may want to seek with the help of a Missouri personal injury lawyer.

Let’s take a closer look at these.

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What Damages Can I Get for My Personal Injury Claim?

One of the most common questions that Missouri accident attorneys field regularly is about how much a personal injury settlement or jury award could be or what the average is.

The fact is that there is no such thing as an “average” award.

Each personal injury claim is unique, with different facts and circumstances that can lead to vastly different award amounts.

There are a lot of factors that affect how much compensation a claimant ultimately receives.

Here are the most common damages that Missouri law allows in personal injury cases.

Medical Costs

The injured person can be reimbursed for the cost of the treatment they received as a result of the accident.

This reimbursement can include both past and projected future medical costs associated with the accident.

Lost Income

If they are unable to work, the plaintiff may seek compensation for any lost wages.

In addition, if their injuries make it impossible to continue working as before, the plaintiff may also ask for future lost wages.

Pain and Suffering

These damages compensate the injured party for the physical pain they endured as a result of the accident.

They are usually proven with evidence of necessary therapy and medication from a medical professional.

Emotional/Psychological Suffering

Accidents can cause mental trauma for which you can receive compensation.

Once again, evidence from the right medical professional is needed as proof.

Punitive Damages

Sometimes the at-fault party’s actions are so heinous that a jury wants to send a message.

They may do so through punitive damages.

Wrongful Death

If you are seeking compensation after the death of a loved one, you may file a wrongful death claim.

These suits can provide financial compensation not just for the damages suffered by the deceased, but also for the economic and emotional losses of their surviving family.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Suit?

Every civil cause of action has a time period within which the lawsuit must be filed.

In other words, every personal injury lawsuit has a ticking clock on it, starting when the accident happens.

In legalese, we call this a statute of limitations. Most personal injury suits have a two-year limitation placed on them.

Why is this important?

Because if you don’t file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out, you will likely miss your shot to seek fair compensation for your injuries.

This is why it is so important to seek the help of a Joplin personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident.

I Think I Have a Personal Injury Claim. What Next?

The most important thing after an accident is your safety. Seek medical attention for your injuries even if you think they are minor at the time.

You never know if you may develop serious complications that could negatively affect your long-term health.

If you think that someone else may be liable for your injuries, the next step is to contact a Joplin personal injury lawyer.

When you consult with your Missouri personal injury lawyer you can bring incident reports and other evidence you have on hand to allow an expert to assess the strength of your claim and outline possible legal strategies.

For example, you can use our guide to getting a Missouri traffic accident report for access to information about your auto accident.

At the Cottrell Law Office, we offer potential clients a free consultation so that you’ll know whether a lawsuit gives you the best chance for financial recovery

Injured in Joplin? Call the Cottrell Law Office Today

If you are injured by someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions, you may feel stressed and overwhelmed.

At the Cottrell Law Office, we are here to help. Wesley Cottrell is an experienced personal injury attorney in Joplin, MO, who is backed by a team dedicated to helping clients in all types of personal injury claims.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means that if you don’t win, neither do we.

We have offices in Joplin, Missouri, and Rogers, Arkansas, and we offer a free case evaluation for potential clients.

Call our firm at (800) 364-8305, or fill out our easy online contact form to schedule an appointment today.