Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I am wrongfully injured or someone in my family
is killed because of the carelessness of another?
It is generally not wise to talk to the party that hurt you, their
attorney, or an insurance adjuster until you fully understand your
rights. Saying the wrong thing to them could make your claim worth
less, and not presenting your claim in the right way could mean
you cannot collect anything.
There are often complicated legal questions, such as what
legal deadlines apply, whether you can make recovery from multiple
sources
and
policies, how to preserve your ability to get your medical bills
and expenses paid before your claim is settled.
You can call our office (319-351-4900 or 877-449-4900) to set
up an appointment with L. Craig Nierman for your free consultation
concerning personal injury or wrongful death claim.
Contact us today to
set up an appointment with L. Craig Nierman for your free consultation
concerning personal injury or wrongful death claim.
What can I collect for in case of personal injury or wrongful
death?
Iowa law allows personal injury victims to collect for:
- past
and future medical expenses
- past lost earnings
- loss of future
earning
capacity
- past or future loss of function of the body and/or
mind
- past or future loss of physical and/or mental pain
and suffering
- past or future loss of consortium
A wrongful death claim can include medical charges, funeral expenses,
loss of wages, loss of support, loss of parental guidance, health
benefits and/or retirement benefits.
It is important to make sure that your claim is presented correctly
to preserve your rights in all of these areas.
What if my injury occurs while I am at work?
In most cases, you can collect workers compensation benefits.
The categories of compensation can include Temporary Partial Disability,
Temporary Total Disability, Medical Benefits, Healing Period, Permanent
Partial Disability, Permanent Total Disability, Second Injury Fund
Benefits, Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits and/or Death Benefits
in addition to your medical bills and mileage to medical appointments.
You
may be able to make a personal injury claim in addition to workers’ compensation
benefits. This requires a careful coordination of benefits.
What if the death of a loved one occurs while they are at work?
You may collect workers compensation benefits,
including Death Benefits. You
may also be able to make a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
An attorney experienced in personal injury, workers' compensation,
and insurance
law can help you with coordination of benefits.
How will my medical bills get paid?
We help clients to look at all available forms of insurance and then determine which ones will be to your benefit. Options often include health insurance, coverage under automobile or homeowner’s policies, workers’ compensation benefits, government benefits, and others. In many cases we will negotiate with the insurance carrier to force it to pay a portion of your attorney fees.
What about my lost wages?
When someone else prevents your from working, you are entitled to full compensation for time off. In most cases, you can obtain compensation for any of your sick or vacation leave you had to use up. Generally, your doctor will have to provide medical statements for your time off.
My vehicle was damaged in an auto accident. What am I entitled
to?
If your vehicle is totaled, you can make a claim for the value
of your car plus additional compensation. Otherwise, you may be
entitled to the cost to repair your vehicle and additional compensation.
In many cases we have the insurance company pay for your rental
car.
How much is my case worth?
The value of your case is based on many factors including how
long you need medical treatment, how bad your injury is, the amount
of pain and suffering you have, and whether you suffer permanent
injuries. In most cases, these factors are not clear until we are
well into the case.
The important thing is to choose an attorney that will maximize
the value of your claim after we collect all of the information.
Please go to our Client
Successes page for a
sample of cases we have handled.
How long will it take for me to receive compensation?
Settlements vary depending on the particular facts, including
how severe your injury is and what insurance companies are involved.
Mr. Nierman can make some estimates after he has met with you.
How much will you charge me?
We handle almost all injury and wrongful death claims on a contingency
basis. This means you do not have to pay money up front and you
will not be charged attorney fees unless we recover for your damages.
Our fee is based on a percentage of what we collect for you. We
will provide you with details at your free initial consultation.
What can I do if my own insurance company wrongfully denies my
claim or pays me only a portion of what I am entitled to?
Unfortunately, this is a common problem because insurance companies
often try to profit from not paying claims fairly. You have rights
to collect for your claim, but you must act quickly and follow
specific legal procedures to preserve your rights. The necessary
steps and deadlines depend on what type of claim you have, what
is written in your policy, as well as state and/or federal laws
governing your case.
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