Unsavory Aspects Of A Personal Injury Lawsuit For Which You Need To Be Prepared

When you file a personal injury lawsuit, you need to be ready for both the good and bad experiences you may have before the issue is resolved. Talking to a lawyer may help you know and prepare for these experiences, especially the bad ones. That way you will not be shocked once the lawsuit commences. Here are three examples of some experiences you may not like:

Loss of Privacy

Expect your private life to be laid bare for the public. Even if you wish to avoid personal or private issues, the defense may not be of the same opinion, and they have the legal right to ask you any question as long as it's relevant to the case. The depositions will also unearth considerable information that you would have liked to remain private.

Some of the questions may be not only private but also embarrassing. A topic that many people find embarrassing, but cannot easily avoid, is that of loss of consortium. Would you like to be asked about your sexual dysfunction issues or the nature of your sex life? Such questions come up during a loss of consortium (loss of physical and emotional relationship with loved ones) negotiations.

At the end of the trial, expect the public to know how much money you earn, lawsuits you have filed in the past, and even your tax returns. You are likely to find this annoyingly intrusive, but there is little you can do about it if you decide to proceed with the case.

Confrontational Questioning

Expect the defense attorney to be confrontational when dealing with you, especially during cross-examination. You may even end up thinking the attorney doesn't like you as a person, but they are just doing their work. This is especially possible if the attorney believes that you are emotional, perhaps angry and tired of the whole process. They may ask you questions designed to make you angry so that you can lose your cool and make a mistake. You have a high chance of succeeding if you don't forget the fact that the lawyer is on the clock; it is not personal. Keep a level head and remain cool while talking with the defense attorney.

Intrusion From Private Investigators

An insurance company can hire a private investigator to find information it can use to deny or limit your claim. Although the law limits the types of activities a private investigator may engage in, there are still lots of bothersome activities that are perfectly legal. For example, how do you feel about having a person follow you to the doctor's appointment, take pictures of you while doing or yard work, or walk around your home with your blinds open? Most people find such things bothersome, yet they are legal for a private investigator.

Therefore, prepare yourself for these issues before instigating a personal injury lawsuit. You have to weigh the benefits of the case against the complications outlined above. The good news is that if you have an experienced attorney in your corner, they can shield you from some of these things. For example, your lawyer will ensure that you only get to answer relevant questions in court. To learn more, contact a law firm like Law Office of Daniel E Goodman, LLC


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