In most cases, personal injury claims arise where someone has been injured as a result of another party’s negligence. This could arise from a car accident, an inadequately marked hazard on a recreational site, or due to slippery conditions at commercial premises. Whatever the cause, our legal system provides for a means to obtain compensation for the injured party. This compensation is typically given for things such as pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages.
It is understandable that most people who have been injured are very upset and emotional soon after the accident. Victims are often confused and overwhelmed by the circumstances and challenges of dealing with insurance companies and corporate defendants. Injury claims can quickly become complex and technical. The professional adjusters working for insurance companies have a thorough understanding of these complexities while most injured parties do not. Good legal counsel is critical to levelling the playing field. And above all, you will be working with a firm that is committed to advocating on your behalf and that is always striving to provide a valuable service.
SPORTS & RECREATION INJURIES
We do not often think about the consequences of injuries sustained while engaged in leisure pursuits, but injuries do occur, and when they happen, it is important to make sure you understand the liability ramifications and all of the legal options available to you. Injuries could be attributable to factors such as negligent design, manufacture or maintenance of facilities and / or equipment, lack of supervision, inadequate instruction, or failure to warn of risks and hazards.
What you should do if involved in a sports or recreational injury:
Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible after the injury has been sustained. This is particularly important if the injury results in a chronic and / or disabling problem, if there is a possibility of loss of future earning capacity, or if the injury reduces your quality of life due to pain or physical restriction. Obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses and make observations and obtain photographs of the accident site (either through us or your own means) as soon as possible.
Victims are often unaware of their legal recourse, or they are tempted to settle with the insurance company too quickly after the injury. However, the full impact of soft tissue injuries may not be apparent until long after that settlement and there is usually no way for this to be addressed if you settle too quickly. Therefore, it is vital to not rush into anything until you have an in-depth discussion with a lawyer about all the issues involved. It is important to make an informed, intelligent decision, and you can only do that with appropriate legal advice early on in the process.
SLIP AND FALL INJURIES
“Slip and fall” accidents involve problems with surfaces or structures, such as an uneven floor, a slippery sidewalk from snow or ice accumulation, or a hidden hole in a yard. In all cases, the injury may be attributable to the owner or occupier for not providing reasonably safe premises. When this happens, it is important to make sure you understand all the legal options available to you to claim damages.
What you should do if involved in a slip and fall accident:
It is a good idea to take photographs of the location of the accident, put aside your footwear for future reference, and obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses. This should be done right away, if possible, as conditions can often change after the accident. Report the accident to the occupier or owner of the property and then talk to a lawyer as soon as possible after the injury has been sustained. This is particularly important if the injury results in a chronic and / or disabling problem, if there is a possibility of loss of future earning capacity, or if the injury reduces your quality of life due to pain or physical restriction.
Victims are often unaware of their legal recourse, or they are tempted to settle too quickly after the injury. However, the full impact of soft tissue injuries may not be apparent until long after that agreement and there is no way for this to be addressed if you settle too quickly. Therefore, it is vital to not rush into anything until you have an in-depth discussion with a lawyer about all the dynamics involved. It is important to make an informed, intelligent decision, and you can only do that with appropriate legal advice early in the process.
FREE PERSONAL INJURY CONSULTATION
Double Diamond Law offers free initial consultations on all personal injury claims. We also offer contingency fee agreements for most cases so that no fee is charged for our services until after your case is resolved and only if you collect an award for damages and compensation.
> Contact our Whistler and Squamish law office to schedule a free personal injury consultation
Phone: 1-604-938-0890
E-mail: gdiamond@doublediamondlaw.com
