The law provides guidelines for citizens to follow, ensuring the smooth functioning of society. The law also lays down procedures to settle disputes or disagreements, including employment disputes, family issues, and accidents like traffic or work-related injuries.
In other words, the law plays a central role in daily life. People may find that they require the services of a lawyer for any number of reasons, from dealing with a trespasser to suing someone for a car accident to writing a will.
It may not be clear how to proceed with such a case. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a seasoned lawyer for any legal issues that may arise. Legal websites, like www.galyen.com, offer plenty of information on how to deal with such issues, including divorce, personal injury, and theft, among others.
Situations Where the Assistance of a Lawyer is Essential
This section details some situations where the assistance of a lawyer can be critical.
When You’re Hurt by Someone’s Negligence – Personal Injury Law
Personal injury law, or tort law, is the branch of law used when someone harms you. This law gives you the right to pursue compensation for any injury or damage you suffer due to the actions of another person.
Personal injury law covers a wide variety of injuries. Here are a few of them:
- Dog bites
- Defective products
- Construction injuries
- Traffic accidents
- Premises liability
Filing for compensation can be tricky, as there is a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. In most states across the country, this ranges from 2-4 years.
In most cases, the insurance company of the at-fault party will offer compensation. You will have to negotiate with insurance companies about the compensation you receive. A personal injury lawyer will be helpful in these cases, as they are knowledgeable on how to file a claim and how to negotiate with insurance companies.
The case may be taken to court if a settlement cannot be reached with the other party or the insurance company. For these reasons, you should hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you.
When You Want a Smoother Divorce Process – Family Law
Family law is the branch of law that deals with disputes related to families, including child support requests, pre-nuptial agreements, and domestic violence. When family members find it hard to resolve a disagreement on their own, they may require the assistance of a lawyer.
For example, with divorce, couples can file two types of requests in court: fault-based or no-fault-based. Most courts allow couples to represent themselves, but if your partner has hired a lawyer or if you’ve filed a fault-based divorce, it’s in your best interests to hire a lawyer.
A fault-based divorce is where one person in a marriage is involved in unscrupulous behavior like adultery, abuse, or abandonment. You will need to prove this in court, and a lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to defend or prove your case. A lawyer will also be able to guide you through the court process, which may be challenging to handle on your own.
When You Have to Deal with Will-Related Issues – Estate Planning
Estate planning is the legal process of deciding how an individual’s assets will be distributed or managed upon death. It also includes provisions for handling an individual’s assets should they become incapacitated.
Having a plan for your assets can alleviate the burden on your family when the need arises. You can hire an attorney in such cases. They will be able to carry out your wishes, distribute your wealth, pay for funeral services from a specified source, etc.
When You’re Hurt at Work – Worker’s Compensation
Workers’ compensation ensures that all workers in the US receive fair compensation for any injuries sustained at work. It covers accidental deaths, rehabilitation benefits, and medical benefits.
Every state has its own laws on workers’ compensation. There are caps on how much compensation you can claim and deadlines to file your claim. A lawyer will be able to help you understand how much your injury is worth in court and help you file the relevant documents before the deadline.
You may be entitled to disability compensation or assistance in securing future employment if you’ve been injured at work. The court does not treat all injuries the same, and hiring a lawyer can help you in all these instances.
These are four of the most common instances where you will need the services of a lawyer. Here are a few more scenarios and the fields of law related to them.
- When you’re accused of a crime you did not commit: Criminal law
- When you’re at risk of being deported from the country: Immigration law
- When your Social Security disability benefits are denied: Social Security disability insurance
- When you’ve suffered due to the negligence or mistakes of pharmaceutical companies: Pharmaceutical legislation
Conclusion
Legal counsel is essential in navigating tricky disputes like child custody or worker’s compensation. The law has intricacies, such as documents that must be filed, evidence that must be collected, and deadlines that must be met.
Each case is treated differently. Having a competent attorney defend your case will ensure that your rights are protected and the most favorable outcomes can be achieved.
Paula Newton is a business writer, editor and management consultant with extensive experience writing and consulting for both start-ups and long established companies. She has ten years management and leadership experience gained at BSkyB in London and Viva Travel Guides in Quito, Ecuador, giving her a depth of insight into innovation in international business. With an MBA from the University of Hull and many years of experience running her own business consultancy, Paula’s background allows her to connect with a diverse range of clients, including cutting edge technology and web-based start-ups but also multinationals in need of assistance. Paula has played a defining role in shaping organizational strategy for a wide range of different organizations, including for-profit, NGOs and charities. Paula has also served on the Board of Directors for the South American Explorers Club in Quito, Ecuador.
