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How the Coronavirus Pandemic May Affect Personal Injury Cases
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting families, schools, communities, and businesses in Hollywood and across Florida as well as around the country. If you have a personal injury claim, your claim may also be affected in a few significant ways:
The pressure to settle may have changed: If you are facing financial pressure, you may be tempted to settle. In addition, any insurance company who is part of a car accident claim in your Hollywood or Florida case may be seeking to settle claims quickly and may be putting pressure on you. This is a good time to hit “pause” and to speak with your attorney before you make any rash decisions. Settling for less than you deserve can harm your financial future, especially if your finances are also affected by the coronavirus. If you are facing pressure, contact your personal injury attorney to develop a plan.
Your own situation may have changed: You may be in quarantine, out of work, or suddenly acting as a caregiver for affected family members. This can mean you have less time to focus on your claim. Even so, it is important to communicate with your personal injury attorney if they are trying to reach you. Continuing your claim may be important for your financial future.
Your access to healthcare may be different: Your injury may require ongoing treatment and medical follow up, but with many healthcare systems struggling with many COVID-19 cases and with non-essential treatments postponed, it may be hard to access the healthcare you need. In addition, you may be worried about going to the hospital or to a clinic for treatment. Speak to your physician about what to do next for your injuries and keep a list of calls, emails, and appointments you have had to miss because of the pandemic.
Courts may be closed: Many courts have closed or reduced services to help flatten the curve. Even if you were expecting a settlement, it may mean hearings in your case cannot proceed. Stay up to date with local closures and work with your attorney to determine next steps.
Communication with your attorney may have changed: Many legal offices are no longer open for in-office appointments. The team at Flaxman Law Group continue to offer services using phone and video conferencing, so if you need to reach us you can still reach our team. Our phone lines continue to be staffed 24/7 for your convenience.
Liable entities may be facing their challenges: If you are pursuing a claim or have won a judgement or reached a settlement with a restaurant, hotel, or other businesses significantly affected by the pandemic, the downturn in revenues can affect your claim. The liable party may even be facing bankruptcy, meaning you may be one of many claims on the assets. In this situation, you may need to speak with your attorney about next steps.
What to do if You Have a Personal Injury Claim in South Florida During the PandemicAs the coronavirus situation unfolds, all of us have had to adjust our lives. If you are filing or in the middle of a personal injury claim, you may need to adjust and work with your attorney to adapt. Whether you live in Hollywood, Miami, Homestead, or any community in Miami-Dade or Broward country, you can always contact Flaxman Law Group to talk to our team about your case. We continue to be here for our clients and community.
