St. Catharines Personal Injury Lawyer
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Many residents of St. Catharines owe one another a duty of care. Even people who do not have a personal, professional, or otherwise pre-existing relationship with another party might be required by law to take certain precautions to ensure their safety.
As a matter of fact, throughout the province, many people have a legal obligation to provide a duty of care to complete strangers. For example, anyone who operates a motor vehicle is required to do so with requisite caution and in accordance with all local traffic laws. These laws exist to reduce the risk of fatal or injurious collisions on the province’s highways and roads. By legally requiring motorists to consider the safety of all other road users, the number of preventable accidents on the province’s roads should significantly decrease.
However, when certain people fail to fulfill the duties of care they owe others, the consequences can be severe. Drivers who violate traffic laws, even for the briefest of moments, could cause collisions with fatal consequences. Even those road users lucky enough to survive a serious car accident often sustain life-changing injuries, which might have dramatic impacts on their abilities to continue working, living independently, and enjoying the quality of life to which they were accustomed before their injurious collision.
The people who operate motor vehicles are not the only ones who owe a duty of care to others and are required by law to take certain necessary precautions to safeguard the physical well-being of other citizens. When these responsible individuals or organizations fail to fulfill their legal obligations by engaging in wrongful actions, inactions, errors, omissions, or other forms of misconduct, they could fatally wound or severely injure an unsuspecting community member.
Negligent parties whose wrongful actions result in injury-causing accidents may be liable for injury-related damages incurred by their injured victims. That is why, if you were involved in an accident caused by someone else’s failure to consider your personal safety and sustained compensable injuries as a result, our personal injury lawyers serving St. Catharines may be able to provide you with important legal advice and assistance.
By working with our St. Catharines personal injury lawyers, you may be able to recover compensation for injury-related damages you were required to pay out of pocket, as well as other financial losses you have incurred or will incur in the future. These damages might include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Physiotherapy
- Mobility aids, assistive medical equipment
- Prescriptions
- Home modifications to accommodate newly acquired disabilities
- Ambulance services
- Mileage expenses to and from medical appointments
- Housekeeping services
- Psychological counselling
- Lost wages due to missed work
- Reduced future earning capability
- And possibly more
Our personal injury lawyers serving St. Catharines offer a free initial consultation to all prospective clients. It can be difficult to know which actions to take after being injured in an accident, where to turn for accountability, and whether the circumstances of your accident entitle you to pursue a civil claim. By consulting with our St. Catharines personal injury lawyers, you will have the chance to receive personalized legal advice tailored to your unique situation.
To take advantage of your free initial consultation and learn how our personal injury lawyers serving St. Catharines might be able to provide you with assistance, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers online today, or call 1-800-JUSTICE.
Fighting For LTD Benefits With A St. Catharines Personal Injury Lawyer
Injured accident survivors in St. Catharines frequently develop additional disabling conditions in the form of severe mental health issues. Indeed, people who have sustained severe physical injuries often find the process of recovery to be lonely, emotionally difficult, and demoralizing. As such, they often develop serious mental health conditions that can be just as severe or impactful as their physical injuries. Common mental health issues developed by injured accident survivors in St. Catharines often include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Insomnia and/or other sleep disorders
- And possible more
The effects of sustaining physical injuries and subsequently developing debilitating mental health issues can be profound, far-reaching, and extremely disruptive. Accident survivors may find it impossible to continue carrying out the tasks associated with their occupations as a result of the physical and psychological injuries they have sustained.
In addition to working with clients who have been injured in accidents caused by someone else’s negligence, our personal injury lawyers serving St. Catharines have represented the best interests of injured community members whose claims for Long-Term disability (LTD) benefits have been denied or prematurely terminated by their insurance providers.
If your newly acquired medical condition makes it impossible for you to continue performing the duties of your job, provided you have the appropriate level of insurance coverage, you might qualify for LTD benefits. While the terms of each insurance policy differ from one another, examples of medical conditions that might entitle a policyholder to collect LTD benefits include:
- Chronic pain or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Back and neck injuries
- Traumatic Amputations
- PTSD
- Depression
- And possibly more
Unfortunately, despite meeting your plan’s eligibility requirements, your insurance provider may decide to deny your claim for LTD benefits. In these unfortunate and stressful circumstances, our St. Catharines personal injury lawyers may be able to fight the insurance company’s unfair decision to help you recover the compensation to which you are rightfully entitled.
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Since 1959, we’ve helped thousands of Canadians get the compensation they deserve with their personal injury claims. One of Canada’s oldest personal injury law firms, personal injury law is exclusively what we do. Book a free consultation today with our top-rated personal injury lawyers.
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Contact Our St. Catharines Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Preszler Injury Lawyers have experience helping members of the local community who have been injured in a variety of traumatic circumstances, including:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- ATV accidents
- Snowmobile accidents
- Car accidents
- Sexual assault
- Sexual abuse
- Motorcycle accidents
- E-Bike and e-scooter accidents
- And more
Our personal injury lawyers serving St. Catharines appreciate how stressful, confusing, and overwhelming the process of pursuing accountability and restitution can seem. During a free initial consultation, our St. Catharines personal injury lawyers will endeavour to answer your questions, provide clear and candid feedback about possible courses of action that might be open to you, and tailor feedback to the specific, personalized details of your case.
To take advantage of your free initial consultation and learn whether you might be eligible to pursue a civil claim, book your free initial consultation with Preszler Injury Lawyers by calling 1-800-JUSTICE today.
Do you live in St. Catharines? Here’s how we can help:
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Award Winning Personal Injury Law Firm
We are proud to be one of Canada’s oldest and long-standing personal injury law firms. Since 1959, we have been providing exceptional legal services and have established ourselves as leading personal injury lawyers in the Canadian legal community. It’s not just the awards that recognize our achievements, but also the wins we’ve achieved for thousands of Canadians with their personal injury claims.
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Download Our "Slip and Fall Lawsuits in Ontario" E-Book
Here’s an e-book you might find useful if you’re interested in learning more about how personal injury claims work.
This ebook will:
- Provide you with a solid foundation for understanding your rights and obligations as an injury victim
- Help you understand the nature of Slip and Fall accidents and injuries, including the Occupiers’ Liability Act in Ontario
- Teach you how to hold a property owner accountable for your injuries
- Explain the evidence you’ll need to support your case
- Demonstrate how you can strengthen and protect your claim
- Describe how to find the right lawyer for your case
- Clarify how a lawyer can help you hold negligent parties liable for their actions
- And more
Download Our "Car Accident Lawsuits in Ontario" E-Book
Here’s an e-book you might find useful if you’re interested in learning more about how car accident claims work.
This guide to car accident lawsuits in Ontario will help you:
- Understand your rights after a car accident in Ontario
- Learn how and when to file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver
- Explore the types of damages you can pursue, including pain and suffering, loss of income, medical expenses, and more
- Identify the key steps in a car accident claim
- Know what kind of evidence to collect to strengthen your claim
- Understand how limitation periods and other legal deadlines will affect your claim
- Discover how a personal injury lawyer can help you on your legal journey to compensation
- And more
Download Our "Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule" E-Book
Here’s an e-book you might find useful if you’re interested in learning more about how accident benefits claims work.
In this ebook, you’ll learn about:
- How to apply for Accident Benefits
- Eligibility requirements for Accident Benefits
- Benefits and compensation available to workers and non-earners
- Benefits and compensation for caregivers of injured individuals
- Benefits available for medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Benefits available for death and funeral expenses
- The difference between minor injuries and catastrophic impairment injuries
- How a motor vehicle accident lawyer can help you ensure you receive all of the compensation you’re entitled to through SABS
- And more
More personal injury Video Resources
We also have some videos on the topic of personal injury claims
personal injury FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions for personal injury claims
What does a lawsuit look like?
Every personal injury lawsuit is generally comprised of five main parts. The length of time each part takes can vary depending on the complexity of your case. Your lawyer will help you through each stage by providing tailored advice and strong legal representation.
You can expect:
- Statement of Claim: This is a formal document that initiates the personal injury claim against the at-fault party (or individual you are suing).
- Examination for Discovery: This is a meeting where you and your lawyer will ask the opposing party questions about the claim, the accident, fault, and anything else that is deemed relevant. The opposing party will also have the opportunity to ask you questions.
- Gathering of Evidence: Your legal team will gather a variety of evidence on your behalf to strengthen your claim. This might include medical records, police reports, images from the accident scene, witness testimony, expert opinions, and more.
- Mediation: If you would like to attempt to settle without going to trial, you will likely undertake mediation. Mediation involves you and the opposing party negotiating the terms of your settlement with the assistance of a neutral third party.
- Trial: If you are unable to reach a settlement during mediation, your claim will proceed to trial. During trial, your lawyer will present your case and the evidence they have gathered before a judge (and sometimes a jury). Once complete, the judge will decide the final amount of compensation you’re entitled to.
It’s important to note that a majority of personal injury claims are settled through mediation, out of court. Our Toronto personal injury lawyers help guide clients through each of these stages, so they don’t have to navigate the legal complexities alone.
How much will I have to pay for lawyers’ fees?
Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you win your case. A percentage of the settlement you receive will go towards lawyers’ fees. There are no upfront, out-of-pocket payments required.
What type of compensation can I expect to get?
When you’re injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, there are many different types of compensation you may be eligible to receive. The amount and kind will depend on the severity of your injury and the specifics of your case.
Common damages you might claim include:
- Pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Loss of income
- Housekeeping losses
- Medical costs
- Legal costs
- And more
Our experienced Toronto personal injury attorneys will help maximize what you can recover by exploring your case and eligibility in depth. We aim to ensure that the compensation you receive reflects not only your current suffering, but the lifelong effects that your accident may have in the future.
When can I sue for non-pecuniary general damages (e.g. pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, etc.)?
In Ontario, you can sue for non-pecuniary damages if you have suffered a permanent and serious impairment of an important physical, mental, or psychological function, or permanent, serious disfigurement. This is known as the “threshold.” If you meet this threshold, you can sue for general damages such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other similar losses.
How long will it take to settle my case?
The length of time it takes to settle a case depends on several factors, including the complexity of the case, the extent of your injuries, and whether the other parties involved are willing to settle. Some cases can be settled in a few months, while others can take years.
How long will the process take?
The length of time a personal injury claim can take varies widely according to the specifics of your case. While some cases settle in a matter of months, some can take anywhere from two to four years.
Some factors that affect the duration of personal injury claims include:
- Complexity of your injuries
- Each party’s willingness to settle
- Whether a claim goes to court
- Insurance company cooperation
- Availability of evidence
- And more
When liability is clear or injuries/damages are more clearly documented, cases may move faster. A personal injury lawyer will make sure the process keeps moving, although sometimes delays (like court backlogs) are unavoidable. Seeking personal injury legal advice early may help you streamline your timeline.
How long do I have to sue?
In Ontario, generally speaking you have two years from the date of your injury-causing accident to file a claim. However, based on the circumstances of your individual case, this timeline could be subject to additional limitations.
Do I have a strong case?
After taking advantage of a free initial consultation with our personal injury lawyers, the strength of your case can be evaluated based on the evidence available and the specific circumstances of your accident. Our personal injury lawyers offer case-specific legal feedback to help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your case and advise you on legal options that might be available.
Got more questions?
If you have more questions or need legal help regarding personal injury claims, contact our legal team for help.
We’re happy to help.
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