O’Connor Law Blog

A Kansas City personal injury lawyer is your biggest ally when you’ve sustained serious injuries in any type of auto accident or other accident caused by someone else’s negligence.  Contrary to popular belief and ads you see on television, most injury attorneys are not “ambulance chasers,” and do not get paid unless his or her client gets paid.  How does a lawyer help his client, and what all does he do to help those who are injured?  Here is a brief overview of what you can expect when you hire a personal injury attorney in Kansas City.

First of all, when you consult with a lawyer he or she will assess whether you do indeed have a viable claim.  Your attorney will know if your claim is worth pursuing, or if it may be considered frivolous or weak.  In addition, your lawyer will have past experience with cases similar to yours, so he or she will be able to give you a good idea of the results you may expect.

Next, an experienced Kansas City personal injury attorney will be able to determine how much your claim is worth, and the range of compensation you may be awarded according to past cases.  Your lawyer works with judges and juries every day in your local jurisdiction, and is familiar with the financial damages typically awarded in such cases.

Whether you suffered a brain injury, burns or explosion injuries, bicycle accidents, construction accidents or injuries, motorcycle accident, or any other type of serious injury such as nursing home abuse or wrongful death.

Personal injury lawsuits frequently take weeks, months or even longer to reach settlement.  If your Kansas City injury lawyer has years of experience, he or she may not be able to give you an exact answer as to how long it will take to reach conclusion, but will be able to give you a realistic estimate of the time it will take so that you can determine whether you want to pursue your claim in court.

Most of the time, Kansas City personal injury lawyers will advise an injured individual not to accept a settlement offer from the negligent party or his/her insurance company without first reviewing it with an attorney.  Insurance companies often under value claims, and do not offer an injured victim the full damages he or she is entitled to.

If you do decide to file a lawsuit, your lawyer will work to build a strong, effective case on your behalf.  As the injured party, it is up to you and your Kansas City personal injury attorney to prove that the defendant is guilty, and did in fact cause your injuries.  Your attorney will investigate the accident, review police and medical reports, collect evidence, interview potential eyewitnesses, talk to police and leave no stone unturned in his or her effort to win your case and get the full compensation you deserve.

Most people know that Kansas City personal injury attorneys work to obtain fair compensation for their clients, but that is about all they know about the process.  Car and motorcycle accidents, defective products, slip and fall accidents or even nursing home negligence can leave victims with serious injuries.  While you know there will be medical bills for treatment of your injuries, you may not realize just how far-reaching the expense related to an accident can be.  A personal injury lawyer in Kansas City will work to determine the extent of the financial damage, then pursue fair compensation for the injured victim.

Other than the obvious medical costs, experienced lawyers know that victims of negligence often face other costs which can negatively impact their lives.  Lost wages if you are unable to work, the expense of having your property repaired if it was damaged in the accident, pain and suffering, even future medical costs for further medical treatment that may become necessary.  Your Kansas City personal injury attorney will take all of these things into consideration when working to determine the value of your claim.

In addition, your lawyer will enlighten you about how personal injury claims work.  Most Kansas City personal injury lawyers will settle your claim out of court by negotiating with the defendant and his/her insurance company.  However, if it becomes necessary to proceed to court and file a lawsuit, your attorney will explain the process so that you understand what to expect.  He or she will investigate the accident, gather records and evidence which may include medical reports, police reports and proof of your medical expenses and more so substantiate your claim.

Whether you have been the victim of a catastrophic brain injury, you have an elder that experienced nursing home abuse, you or a family member were the victim of burns or explosion injuries or other incidents; we can help.  There are a wide array of personal injury cases including construction accidents or fatalities, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, and then extremely serious cases such as wrongful death claims in Kansas City.

A skilled personal injury attorney in Kansas City will go much further than that, though.  Your claim will be investigated as your attorney analyzes photographs, physical evidence and witness statements.  Past medical records may be examined so that your attorney understands your medical condition, and specific reports may be requested from experts so make for a strong, solid case.  Your lawyer will also review your own health insurance coverage or government based benefit plan to determine the portion of medical costs that you may be responsible for in order to seek that amount from the responsible party.

Most importantly, a Kansas City personal injury lawyer goes to whatever lengths necessary to ensure you are fairly compensated for costs associated with your injuries.  Before you ever speak with the insurance company, be sure to have capable legal counsel on your side.  It is critical that your legal rights are protected, and that you have an attorney who is aggressive, skilled and dedicated to seeking the full damages you deserve so that you can avoid financial issues and possibly bankruptcy in the future.

When you suffer injuries after a slip-and-fall accident caused by property owner negligence, a Kansas City personal injury attorney will protect your legal rights and pursue justice.  These types of accidents often result in permanent back injuries, bone fractures, broken hips and even head injuries.  Property owners must maintain their properties so that anyone who comes on to it is safe; unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Kansas City personal injury lawyers work to hold negligent property owners accountable when someone is injured because of dangerous conditions.  When a retail store floor is mopped or polished but no signs are displayed warning of the potential danger, a victim may have a claim depending upon the seriousness of his or her injuries.  Perhaps you fell after slipping on loose or torn carpeting, or on steps or stairs that were in disrepair.  Regardless of the circumstances, if there are no warning signs posted and you sustain injury, you can file a lawsuit.

Most of the time these issues are settled out of court; however, when negotiating with the responsible party’s insurance company does not result in a fair settlement, your Kansas City personal injury lawyer will not hesitate to take your claim to court.  Insurance companies tend to under-value victims’ claims, meaning you will likely not be given the full compensation you are entitled to.  When this happens, your attorney will fight for the full damages in a lawsuit which may include lost wages, medical costs, future income if you will not be able to work for an extended period of time, pain and suffering and more.

Kansas City personal injury attorneys do far more than simply representing you in court.  Your lawyer will investigate immediately so that evidence of the property owner’s negligence is preserved.  Whether you slipped and fell at a shopping center, apartment building, on a parking lot or even at a neighbor’s house, you deserve to be compensated for the damages.  Otherwise, you may find yourself in a serious financial situation due to skyrocketing medical costs and lost income.

Your lawyer will work diligently to collect all of the information necessary to prove your case, so that you are awarded the full damages you deserve.  Part of his or her job may involve documenting witness statements, checking for code violations, reviewing footage captured on security cameras and even taking photos.  The fact is that without a capable Kansas City slip and fall injury attorney, you may not get the full compensation you deserve, which could mean financial trouble in the near future.  Don’t let the insurance company win; contact a talented lawyer today.

Kansas City personal injury attorneys work in many areas other than car accidents, including representing the rights of those injured in slip and fall accidents.  If you have slipped or tripped on another person’s property, were injured and feel that it was the fault of the property owner, it is important that you consult with a personal injury lawyer in Kansas City right away.  While you may believe that it is obvious that the negligent party is liable for your injuries, it must be proven – which is why you must have a skilled attorney on your side.

Injuries resulting from slip and fall accidents can be serious or even life-threatening.  In fact, you may suffer a permanent injury that will impact your life forever.  Head injuries, broken bones, spinal injuries, and fractured hips are all common injuries often sustained by those who slip or trip.  Kansas City personal injury lawyers know that these accidents can happen anywhere, for a number of reasons including:

• Slippery floors that have been mopped or polished
• Jagged or torn carpeting or rugs
• Uneven surfaces (floors, parking lots)
• Stairs that are broken or in disrepair
• Stairwells or hallways with insufficient lighting

Every year, many people suffer injuries after falling on a slippery floor in a supermarket or retail store.  Although you may not realize it in the beginning, the injuries you suffer can lead to extensive costs and even bankruptcy.  Your Kansas City personal injury lawyer will work to get the full compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, even future medical expenses and income if your injuries are serious enough to require long-term treatment.

The primary reason you need an experienced personal injury attorney in Kansas City is because your lawyer will have the skill and knowledge necessary to investigate the accident, gather and analyze evidence, and prove negligence on the part of the defendant.  This is not an easy task for an injured victim to handle on his or her own, and you deserve the full damages you are entitled to so that you can avoid possible financial catastrophe.

If you or a loved one have been injured on dangerous property where no warning or cautionary measures were taken, talk to a reputable Kansas City personal injury lawyer who will answer your questions, provide guidance and offer strong, effective legal representation.  Those who were negligent should be held fully accountable for their actions – and you deserve justice.

Usually, if you slip and fall, the injuries sustained are relatively minor. A few bumps and bruises, and you’re okay in a few days. However, if that’s not the case with you, and you have had a slip and fall accident that has left you significantly disabled (either temporarily or permanently), you may need the services of a Kansas City personal injury lawyer to assist you.

What exactly are the characteristics of a Kansas City slip and fall accident that require the services of Kansas City personal injury attorneys?

If the accident left you with relatively minor injuries, was something you could have avoided simply by paying attention, was because of a hazard (water on the floor, etc.) that you knew about beforehand and simply didn’t pay attention to, you probably don’t have a slip and fall personal injury case that Kansas City personal injury lawyers can help you with. The legitimacy requirements for these types of slip and fall cases is high, particularly because they have been a ready source of frivolous lawsuit cases for those who simply want to make a quick buck.

However, if your injuries are serious in that they required medical attention and therefore will result in medical expenses, pain and suffering, perhaps even time off of work or permanent disability, and the property owner or other party responsible for the hazard could have avoided the hazard or should have fixed it, Kansas City personal injury attorneys would like to talk to you.

What exactly should you do if you’re the victim of a slip and fall case?

First, of course, receive treatment for your injuries, including getting documentation from medical personnel for injuries you’ve suffered and the treatments required. Medical records, etc., should also document any lasting effects of the injuries.

After you’ve done this, contact Kansas City personal injury lawyers and have them take a look at your case. Your lawyer will review your case carefully and determine whether or not you do indeed have a valid case. If you do, he or she will take it on contingency, meaning that you do not owe any money upfront for the representation offered you.

If you win your case through settlement or jury award, you’ll share a portion of your proceeds (usually about a third) with your lawyer as payment for services rendered. If you do not win, your lawyer receives nothing and you simply walk away free and clear. There’s no risk to you if you do pursue your case, but there may be significant risk to you – especially financially – if you don’t. Contact a Kansas City personal injury attorney today and see whether or not your case is eligible for representation.