Ottawa Personal Injury Lawyers, Ontario Accident Benefits, Ontario Personal Injury Lawsuits

Stages of an Ontario personal injury lawsuit..

After an accident, your world is turned upside down.  You may have lost a loved one or you may be in pain and unable to do some everyday tasks you once could. You probably have a million questions that need to be answered.  An Ontario personal injury lawyer can help answer any questions you may have that relate to Ontario accidents, personal injury, accident benefits, insurance claims, medical specialists, services available and more…Most people who come to me as an Ontario personal injury lawyer want to know how their case will proceed , how long it will take and what is the maximum compensation they are entitled to in Ontario.

There is no one answer to these questions but after reviewing all the facts in your case, an Ontario personal injury lawyer can best give you an idea of what course to take and what compensation you are entitled to.

What happened in an Ontario personal injury lawsuit?

Shortly after you hire an Ontario personal injury lawyer, they will  notify the defendant (i.e. the person’s insurance company who you plan to sue) that you intend to file a claim. Typically the  insurance company will try to negotiate directly with you and hope that an Ontario personal injury lawyer does not become involved.  The reason for this is that typically Ontario personal injury lawyers can negotiate  a much much larger settlement amount in compensation.  They know how to develop a personal injury case to show not only what compensation  you need now but what compensation you will need in 20 years from now as the result of an accident.    If the insurance company does not offer you a reasonable amount  your Ontario personal injury lawyer will commence the lawsuit.  This is done by filing a document called a “Statement of Claim” with the Court office and then serving the defendant with the Statement of Claim.  The insurance company generally have their  own lawyers and will in turn file a “Statement of Defence”.

The Ontario personal injury lawyer and the representative for the insurance company then exchange documents and proceed to “examinations for discovery”.  At the examinations for discovery, each side is asked questions about the accident by the other party’s lawyer.

The best Ontario personal injury lawyers will  arrange medical examinations for you.  The insurance company is also entitled to have you seen by medical professionals it chooses, although there are limits on this right. This is not something you should be afraid of; don’t worry.

Your Ontario personal injury lawyer and the insurance company can offer settlement compensation at any point and your Ontario personal injury case can be resolved at any given moment.  A lot of Ontario lawsuits are settled at a “mediation”.  A mediation in Ontario is an attempt to settle the case.  The Ontario personal injury lawyer and the insurance company agree upon  the mediator they want to reach a settlement amount in their personal injury case.  A few months before trial, there will also be a “pre-trial” meeting .  The pre-trial  meeting is a venue  whereby an Ontario judge can offer input to the Ontario personal injury lawyer, as well as the lawyer for the insurance company. Typically the Ontario judge will offer their opinions in regards to the strengths and weaknesses of the case.  Often times, cases settle at, or shortly after, the pre-trial meeting. Most Ontario personal injury lawsuits are settled before trial.  However, some lawsuit do not settle and  you will be given a trial date.  The unsuccessful party at trial can appeal the trial decision to the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

How long does a personal injury lawsuit in Ontario take to resolve?

The length of time it takes to resolve an Ontario personal injury lawsuit depends on many factors:

* How quickly you respond to your Ontario personal injury lawyer’s requests for information and documents;
* If the insurance company is cooperative;
* How long it takes for your doctors to provide a report as to what the long term implications of your personal injuries will be;
* How much time it takes to prepare and receive reports from doctors, other health professionals and other institutions;
* How long it takes for the defence lawyer to arrange various defence medical examinations: and
* How long it takes to obtain a trial date in Ontario.  The sooner you commence your lawsuit, the better.

The most important thing you need to do after an accident is recover and rebuild.  You will need help and support. Ask for help from friends and family.  They are for you.  Don’t worry about your Ontario personal injury lawsuit. Your Ontario personal injury lawyer will do that for you.  They will represent you and fight on your behalf to ensure that you get everything you need and are entitled to. These are some of the most difficult and stressful times of your life; focus on yourself, family , friends and recovery.  By hiring one of the best Ontario personal injury lawyers, you can concentrate on your recovery.

“I have rarely met with a client who is receiving the full amount of accident benefits that he or she needs and that he or she is entitled to following an accident in Ontario, without the help of a top Ontario personal injury lawyer. If you suffering from a personal injury or lost a loved one in a car accident, you owe it to yourself and to your loved ones to get every benefit to which you are entitled, so that you can get back to being the person you were before the Ontario accident. That’s what Ontario insurance is for. Don’t sell yourself or your family short. Let me help you…
                                                                                                                         -Ontario Injury Lawyer, David Hollingsworth

Ontario Accident Lawyer David Hollingsworth has been helping Ottawa and Ontario accident victims since 1999. With his extensive experience and knowledge of relevant accident and personal injury issues, he has recovered millions of dollars in settlements  on behalf of his spinal cord injury clients. David has the experience and skill to help obtain maximum compensation. David offers free consultations and makes  home visits or hospital visits. Visit www.ottawainjury.ca for more information. David understands, he cares and he is here to help.

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