Guilt is often felt by potential claimants. After a serious accident or injury, some people choose to suffer in silence instead of pursuing a claim, no matter how obvious the fault may be. The insurance industry has succeeded in labeling claimants as greedy plaintiffs, but seeking fair compensation for an injury is not greedy. If you sustained an injury in a car accident and accrued numerous medical bills and missed work, it is entirely appropriate to request compensation.
Claimant Stereotypes
The term “sue happy” has been used to describe the culture in America, claiming no matter the situation, people turn to lawsuits to fix any problem. Over the last several years, the media has shared some outrageous injury claims with the public. These stories are often sensationalized, and viewers do not get all the facts.
The most famous case was when a Mrs. Liebeck sued McDonald’s after she spilled hot coffee in her lap. The public immediately assumed the worst (spurred by the media) and concluded that the lady was looking for a lawsuit. They labeled her before knowing the details of the story. The coffee Mrs. Liebeck spilled was served at 185 degrees, and McDonald’s knew anything above 140 degrees was a burn hazard. Furthermore, there were roughly 700 claims filed by other people who had been burned by McDonald’s coffee. Mrs. Liebeck suffered third-degree burns on six percent of her body. She underwent skin grafting and spent a week in the hospital. In the end, she received $200,000 in compensatory damages and $480,000 in punitive damages. The jury clearly ruled that Mrs. Liebeck had truly suffered, but the story was fabricated to be a sensationalized story.
People may feel ashamed to be associated with this “sue happy” stereotype and want to keep their pride, but the only people who benefit from a claim not being pursued are the insurance companies.
Do I Deserve Compensation?
Potential claimants may also struggle with feeling like they are getting something for nothing. Some people still strongly identify with the philosophy of “a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work.” This strong work ethic is admirable, but should not overrule compensation for which you are entitled. If you have been injured in an accident, remember the time you missed work and the medical bills you accumulated. You are not getting a free ride, but you are being compensated for what you lost. Being hurt is an extreme imposition on your life. It affects your productivity both at work and home, and it diminishes your quality of life. Why should you suffer because of another person’s negligence?
Call Fields, Dehmlow & Vessels in Marietta, Ohio
Do not wait too long before talking with an attorney, because the statute of limitations allows a certain timeline for which an injury claim can be filed. You should act fast and call a personal injury lawyer to see if you have a case and what options are available to you.
Attorney Ethan Vessels is an experienced local personal injury attorney in Marietta, Ohio. He is licensed in Ohio and West Virginia and is ready to discuss your case. Please call 740-374-5346 or fill out our online contact form and we will get in touch with you.