Navigating legal processes can be incredibly complicated and frustrating. The average American does not understand the bulk of the laws they have to abide by. There are so many codes at various levels, including local, state, and federal, that must be maintained. Even lawyers tend to specialize in certain areas of law because there are simply too many regulations for any one person to understand.
Throughout your lifetime, you will likely encounter multiple legal processes. Some will involve direct contact with a lawyer, while others may simply involve local government officials. One subject that can become complicated quickly is health-related issues. When you have to navigate health-related legal issues, it often becomes necessary to have a legal professional in your corner.
Let’s dive into a few healthcare scenarios where you might need a lawyer to assist and advise you.
Personal Injury
Personal injury is one of the largest fields in the legal sector. When people get hurt due to the fault of another, they want to hold them responsible for any adverse effects. In many cases, these injuries result in a loss of quality of life and/or ongoing medical bills that are hard to pay for. Hiring a personal injury attorney can help you build a case, compile evidence, and earn a settlement that will cover the various damages you have suffered as a result of the incident. This will help you pay for those medical bills and get you back on your feet financially.
Water Contamination
You have a reasonable right to safe and clean drinking water in your home. Unfortunately, many circumstances beyond your control could cause contaminants to enter your water supply, leading to life-altering conditions such as skin lesions, kidney diseases, and even cancer. If your water supply contamination is the fault of an industry or nearby farm, you could file a lawsuit to cover damages. One massive example of this issue is the Camp LeJeune case. For decades, this marine base in North Carolina has contaminated water, and the results have been horrifying. Thousands of Camp LeJeune lawsuits have been filed by veterans and their families who are dealing with ongoing health problems because of this water contamination case.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice usually falls within the umbrella of personal injury, but it is worth getting into as a separate category. This instance usually involves a healthcare professional failing to uphold their duty of care to a patient. Surgery mistakes, misdiagnoses, and incorrect medications are just a few examples of medical malpractice cases that could cause further injury or harm to the patient. If this type of scenario happens to you, then you could file a lawsuit against the clinic or the provider.
Worker’s Compensation
Many injuries occur in the workplace, especially in industries like construction, shipping, and agriculture. However, not all workplace injuries are the fault of another party. Businesses are required to pay for worker’s compensation insurance to cover employees who get hurt or sick on the job when they have to miss work. In some cases, insurance companies or businesses may delay worker’s comp benefits to individuals. Hiring a worker’s comp lawyer to ensure you receive what you are owed may become necessary if you feel you are being unfairly treated.
Veteran Disability Claims
If you served in the United States Armed Forces and you received a service-related disability, then you are eligible for disability benefits. Even if you had a condition before your service and it was escalated during your time, then you could receive disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Unfortunately, the VA is infamous for being slow to respond to these requests. Even when they do approve benefits, they may not be the full amount that you deserve. Filing VA claims can be complicated, and to make sure you receive what you are owed, it might be necessary to hire a lawyer who specializes in this area of law.
Insurance Coverage
One of the most common health-related legal issues that Americans face is coverage from insurance companies. Insurance carriers are businesses, and their goal is to make money. Covering patients when they have health needs means paying money, so they are often hesitant to make these payments to providers. You would not be the first person to have an issue with part of your policy not being covered when you know it should be. When this happens, a lawyer who focuses on health insurance claims should be your first call.
Hiring Professionals is the Safe Route to Take
Often, people think about hiring lawyers as a costly mistake. However, many lawyers, especially in these specialized areas of law, only get paid if they win your case for you. This incentivizes them to work harder for you. Additionally, the cost of not exhausting all your options could be far more severe. If you feel like your rights are being violated, then a lawyer can determine if that is the case and then help you get what you are owed.