You may be offered compensation after suffering an injury. It is often very tempting to take this money and accept the first settlement that is presented to you. After all, you have outstanding medical bills, and you may have lost wages due to your injury, and the settlement appears to cover these costs.
But does it really give you all of the compensation you deserve? Remember that you also need to think about the long-term costs. Accepting the initial settlement may close your case, so you need to be very careful about only accepting a settlement that truly gives you the compensation you deserve.
Changes to earnings
For example, are there going to be long-term changes to your ability to earn a living? If your injury has lasting symptoms, you could have a reduced earning capacity. This can change how much you are able to earn in the future, perhaps substantially lowering your lifetime earnings. You may deserve compensation for these losses, along with your lost wages. This is especially important if you have a family to support.
Long-term medical needs
Similarly, some injuries can have a long-term impact on your life. Are you going to need additional medical care, such as surgery or rehabilitation services, in the future? Do you need in-home care, or will you be on certain types of medication for life? You need to consider more than just the immediate hospital bills after the accident.
As you can see, seeking full compensation is complex but very important. It can help to have the assistance of an experienced law firm at this time.