FAQ's
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions
page. Below you will find the answers to many of the most common
legal questions a victim of a personal injury or their family should
know.
What should I do if I’ve been injured?
What if an insurance company contacts me?
Will there be a charge to evaluate my claim?
How does Manheimer & Charnas get paid?
What about expenses?
Will I have to go to court?
Is it ever too late to bring a claim?
What can I sue for?
What is the value of my claim?
How long will my case take?
What damages are you entitled to in a car
accident?
What if I was injured on a construction site?
What should I do if I’ve been injured?
If you or someone in your family has been injured,
you should seek competent legal advice as soon as possible to see if
you have a claim for personal injury. There are many types of
personal injuries and the cause of an injury is not always clear. We
can assist you in determining whether you have a valid claim, and if
so, who is responsible and what monetary compensation is available
for you.
What if an insurance company contacts me?
If you have been injured, do not discuss your
injury or the way it happened until you consulted with a lawyer. Do
not sign any papers or agree to any settlements, as this may affect
your right to pursue your claim. Meet with a lawyer as soon as
possible before speaking to an insurance representative.
Will there be a charge to evaluate my claim?
No. We will meet with you to discuss your injury
free of charge. If we agree that your claim deserves further
investigation, we will obtain the necessary records and evaluate
them at no cost to you.
How does Manheimer & Charnas get paid?
You pay no fee unless we are successful in
obtaining a monetary recovery for your injury. We handle personal
injury claims on a contingent fee basis. This means that the legal
fee is a percentage of the amount recovered, and there is no fee due
unless money is actually collected on your case.
What about expenses?
There are certain expenses, such as court costs
and expert witness fees, involved in bringing a personal injury
claim. You do not pay these expenses until the conclusion of the
case, when recovery is obtained.
Will I have to go to court?
You will not have to go to court unless your case
cannot be settled and must be tried. The vast majority of claims are
settled before trial. However, because of the many factors involved,
it is impossible to predict whether your particular case is one
which will be settled, or one which must be decided by a jury. We
prepare all of our cases as if they will be tried.
Is it ever too late to bring a claim?
It is important to consult a lawyer as soon as you
are aware that you have been injured. There are statutes of
limitations, which prohibit the bringing of old claims. It is easier
to gather information about an injury soon after it happens.
However, even if you were injured sometime ago, you may still be
able to bring a claim. Speak to an attorney who can answer these
questions for you as to whether you can still bring a claim.
What can I sue for?
If you are injured through the fault of someone
else, you are entitled by law to compensation for your injuries.
This compensation is available not only for expenses you have
already incurred, but for losses and expenses you will suffer in the
future. If you or someone in your family is severely injured, this
compensation can protect against changes in family situations, so
that the injured person’s future is secure. Also by bringing a
claim, you may be able to prevent a similar injury from happening to
someone else.
What is the value of my claim?
The value of your claim depends on a variety of
factors, such as the severity and permanency of your injury, the
amount of your medical expenses, the liability of the defendant, and
whether the case is to be tried or settled. It is impossible to
estimate the value of a claim until the case has been fully
investigated from all aspects, and you should be wary of anyone who
tries to tell you the value of your claim at an early stage. As each
person’s claim is very different, you should not be misled by
verdicts or settlements you hear or read about for similar injuries.
After we have completed a thorough investigation
of your case there will come a time that we will be in a position to
offer you our opinion as to the value of the claim. If the insurance
company offers to settle your claim, we will discuss the proposed
settlement with you, and give our advice about whether or not to
accept the amount offered. Of course, the ultimate decision as to
whether or not to accept the insurance company’s offer of settlement
or to allow a jury to determine the value of your injuries is always
up to you.
How long will my case take?
The initial evaluation of a claim may take from
four to six months. After a lawsuit is filed, the length of time
depends on how crowded the court calendar is, and whether the
insurance company is willing to settle the claim before trial. Most
cases take between two and four years to complete. The time also
depends on the complexity of the case.
What damages are you entitled to in a car
accident?
In some states, your right to bring suit for
damages (including pain and suffering) as a result of a car accident
depends on the type of injuries you sustain, or even on the amount
of medical expenses you incur. You should contact a lawyer as soon
as possible after an auto accident if you have been injured, so that
the specific legal rights that apply to you can be determined.
In addition to the right to sue for damages, you may also have the
right to so-called “No Fault” benefits which may pay for medical
expenses and even lost wages, up to certain maximums. In some
states, your right to bring a claim for No Fault benefits can expire
in as little as 30 days after the accident. If you have been injured
in an auto accident, please consult a lawyer as soon as possible to
ensure that your rights are protected.
What if I was injured on a construction site?
There are many accidents that happen on
construction sites because of the dangerous nature of the work. In
many cases a lawsuit can be brought against the owner and the
general contractor for unsafe conditions. Speak to Manheimer &
Charnas to determine what your rights are.
