Will COVID-19 Impact Your Personal Injury Case in Philadelphia?
COVID-19 has turned the world upside down over the past year. Many lives have been disrupted and lost due to the pandemic; businesses have shut their doors, schools have gone virtual, friends and neighbors have faced unemployment and food insecurity. If you have a personal injury claim pending, you might be wondering, will COVID-19 impact your personal injury case? Let's take a look at some of the possibilities.
There Might Be Delays in Philadelphia Courts
The wheels of justice have continued to turn over the past year, but in some areas, they may be turning more slowly than usual. As the vaccine roll-out continues at an unpredictable pace, it is still challenging for the bench to hear all the cases on the waiting list. Jury hearings are still problematic in some towns and cities, as they might not be equipped to protect each participant – jurors, witnesses, attorneys, judges, etc.
If your case is scheduled to go to trial, it might take some time. However, if that is the best course of action as determined by your attorney, it is probably going to be worth the wait.
You Might Feel Pressure to Settle Your Personal Injury Case in Philadelphia
If you are experiencing financial hardship, either due to the pandemic or to your accident-related injury, you might be tempted to settle your personal injury case outside of court. However, if your attorney has advised you not to settle, there is a good reason.
A very small number of personal injury cases reach a courtroom, so if yours is one of them, it means your attorney believes a trial will result in a payoff. If you are feeling financial strain, consider pursuing other means of financial relief that is available via The CARES Act. You might be eligible for an unemployment supplement, food delivery, business and personal loans, or grants. You might also consider taking a loan from a family member to tide you over until you receive your compensation package.
Once you have been awarded compensation – either through a settlement agreement or by the court – you can sell your claim to a loan company that will give you all of the amount upfront.
Your Medical Procedures Might Be Delayed
The medical system has been greatly impacted by COVID-19. As most of our national healthcare resources have been diverted to the pandemic itself, many hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, and HMOs find themselves short-handed and understaffed for routine care. If you have been seriously injured and require emergency surgery, you will get the lifesaving care you need.
If you are awaiting elective or non-essential procedures however, you might have to wait your turn. If your return to wellness is delayed due to injuries you sustained during your accident, any additional health-related costs will be accounted for in your claim. Likewise, if you are unable to return to work because you are awaiting a medical procedure, your lost wages will become part of the compensation package we will pursue on your behalf.
Your Meetings Might Continue to Be Virtual in Philadelphia
It is true that most of us are tired of socializing or working by way of a computer screen, but this is not likely to end in the near future. In order to keep you and your family safe, we will all continue to meet over the phone and by video conference platforms for the foreseeable future. We will make ourselves available for all of your questions and concerns as usual, but we may not resume face-to-face meetings quite yet.
In addition to meetings with us, you can expect settlement negotiations and depositions to be virtual, and documents that require your signature will be managed with an electronic signature program. We are committed to pursuing your case in every respect, but the process might continue to be entirely remote for some time to come.
Your Case Still Matters to Our Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers
We are all overwhelmed by the changes and hardships we have endured during the pandemic. If you’ve been injured in an accident, you might be feeling that there is no point in pursuing a personal injury claim. That is not the case.
We are here working for you to get you the money you deserve. Regardless of the current circumstances, you might be eligible to receive compensation to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, future wages, and other costs that you have incurred as a result of an accident.
A Philadelphia Accident Attorney is Here for You During COVID-19
At Mattiacci Law, LLC., we are always available to take your call. Our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers and accident lawyers genuinely care about your pain and suffering, and we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.