Why Personal Injury Law Is a Civil Rights Issue — and What Fall Injury Attorneys Can Do to Protect Slip and Fall Victims in VA
When someone is involved in a car accident, slip and fall, or other serious accident due to the negligence of a property owner or other responsible party, they or their loved ones can pursue compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. However, the unfortunate truth of the legal system is that it is full of inequities that prevent individuals from receiving the justice they deserve. This is why individuals should enlist one of the many great wrongful death lawyers that Virginia boasts within its legal community.
Understanding the inequities of the personal injury law ecosystem
The disparity in access to legal resources across different social and economic classes is well-documented, with some scholars even going so far as to describe this phenomenon as the “justice gap.” According to the Legal Services Corporation, only 45% of people considered “low-income” are confident that they can find and afford a lawyer if needed, resulting in only 25% of them seeking legal help for substantial problems. These statistics underscore the significant gap between those who need legal resources the most and those who can afford them.
Furthermore, individuals may be discouraged from seeking medical treatment due to disparities in access to medical care. KFF reports that 25.3 million people between the ages of 0 and 64 are uninsured in the United States. Even among those who are insured, many low-income individuals are underinsured and cannot afford significant medical treatment, even with insurance. Although the legal system offers certain ways to avoid paying medical expenses out of pocket upfront, such as letters of protection, the risk of being left with the bill in the event of under-compensation might be too great for low-income individuals.
That’s not to mention the implicit racial and gender biases present in the tort law system. For example, settlement payments for considerations such as lost future earnings are typically based upon historical data, which reflects bias against women and ethnic minorities. Some insurance companies even go so far as to use stereotypes and assumptions to attempt to justify lower settlement and award payouts.
How a fall injury attorney can help you get justice in your VA premises liability case
It’s important to remember that the insurance companies are multibillion-dollar corporations with virtually limitless resources at their disposal. They can hire the best lawyers, expert witnesses, and investigators to tilt the outcome of a case in their favor. However, that doesn’t mean that a personal injury case is hopeless. If you hire a reputable personal injury law firm, such as Burnett & Williams, you can have powerful resources of your own in your corner.
Indeed, in the world of tort law, personal injury attorneys serve as equalizers. They level the playing field, bringing their own network and resources to the table. Attorneys have extensive networks of experts who can serve as witnesses, ranging from doctors to accident reconstruction specialists, as well as a keen understanding of the law and how insurance companies operate, giving them the leverage they need to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
One of the key ways in which personal injury attorneys create a more equitable landscape for justice is by working on a contingency fee basis. In other words, personal injury attorneys are typically paid via a percentage of the settlement or jury award their client receives. Because of this, personal injury lawyers like to tout “we don’t get paid a fee unless you win” guarantees. This also significantly reduces the financial burden and exposure for lower-income individuals, as they can receive legal assistance that they would not be able to afford if they were required to pay on an hourly basis.
One of the most valuable resources that insurance companies and property owners have in their favor is time. Insurance companies often seek to exploit the needs of injury victims by stretching out the settlement and lawsuit process for as long as possible. As medical bills and other expenses continue to accumulate, victims will feel pressure to accept terms that may not be in their best interest, including lowball settlement offers.
“When you work with a skilled personal injury attorney, he will help ensure that you get the best possible outcome and don’t fall victim to the insurance companies’ predatory tactics,” explains C. James Williams III, principal at Burnett & Williams and one of the best personal injury and wrongful death lawyers Virginia has to offer.
Contact a Virginia slip and fall attorney today for legal representation for your personal injury case
Indeed, with decades of experience advocating for clients in Virginia, Burnett & Williams is one of the greatest resources any Virginia resident can have on their side when dealing with a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. In these lawsuits, you’re going up against some of the most legally well-equipped opponents you can possibly counter. You deserve to have someone equally powerful fighting for and advocating on your behalf.
“Contact us today for a free consultation,” concludes Williams. “We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your lost wages and the pain and suffering you have experienced.”
