Millions of people sustain personal injuries each year. In 2018, 2.5 million workers in the United States required medical treatment for work-related accidents. Another 2 million people receive permanent injuries in car accidents each year.
If you’ve been in an accident, you may suffer from a short or long-term disability due to your injuries. Your physical condition may prevent you from performing some typical tasks, and you may need assistance during your recovery. You must consider your immediate and long-term needs when filing a personal injury claim to ensure you seek appropriate compensation.
Legal Assistance
Talk to an injury lawyer Raleigh NC after your injury. Personal injury attorneys are experts in the field of personal injury law. They know all forms of compensation their clients may be eligible to receive and offer a free case evaluation to potential clients. You can speak to an attorney without incurring any costs, and if you hire them, they will not pay any fees until you receive a settlement.
Your lawyer can fight to ensure you receive compensation for medical and personal expenses incurred as a result of your injuries. They will also advise you of appropriate steps to take to build your case to ensure you have the best chance of receiving the maximum settlement allowed.
Medical Assistance
Be sure to have your condition evaluated by medical professionals. A medical doctor can order tests to rule out potential injuries and confirm their diagnosis. Receiving appropriate medical care as soon as possible can expedite the healing process and prevent you from aggravating injuries you may have sustained.
It’s possible you won’t experience symptoms from your injuries immediately. For example, symptoms of whiplash may not develop for up to 24 hours after your accident. See your doctor as soon as symptoms develop to have your condition assessed.
You may need to see several medical professionals for a comprehensive diagnosis. A physical therapist may treat mobility issues and help you manage pain, while occupational therapists help you redevelop the skills needed to perform routine tasks. If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), you may also need to work with a speech-language pathologist to regain your speech.
Daily Needs
Injuries can affect your ability to perform daily tasks. For example, if you have a TBI, you may be unable to cook, speak, or focus on tasks. You may have sensory impairments, such as loss of sight or hearing, that require you to use assistive devices or learn new ways to communicate. It’s also possible you will need to use mobility devices if you fractured your spine or suffered a compound leg fracture.
You may need to have a personal care aide come to your home to perform routine tasks like cooking and cleaning. The nature of your injuries will determine if you need someone to help you bathe and dress. Some individuals may also need a home health aide to give them medication.
If you cannot care for yourself, you may need to hire staff to provide care for young children or elderly parents you are responsible for. Your lawyer should be aware of all of the ways your injury has affected you personally and financially.
Routine Maintenance
In addition to daily living tasks, you may need assistance performing seasonal maintenance, such as lawn mowing, raking leaves, and cleaning gutters.
Whiplash, TBIs, and broken limbs are examples of injuries that would prevent you from safely accessing your gutters. You can hire Wilmington gutter cleaning service professionals to clean your gutters for you. Your gutters should be cleared a few times each year. Dead leaves need to be removed to ensure gutters remove water from your roof, which prevents water damage.
Mental Health Needs
Many people who are injured in accidents have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For example, if you were in a car accident, you may have panic attacks or anxiety while driving a vehicle. Many people experience depression after an accident, particularly if their injuries have affected their ability to work or care for themselves.
A therapist can assess your mental health and help you develop strategies to manage your symptoms. Mental health issues may also be grounds for a personal injury claim. It’s a good idea to discuss your mental health with your lawyer to determine the appropriate steps you should take to ensure that you’re compensated for therapy and job retraining that is required.