Many people have no idea how the personal injury claims process works in Alberta and may be nervous about contacting a lawyer. This is perfectly normal but there is nothing to worry about. CAM LLP lawyers focus only on personal injury law and after representing thousands of clients we have the experience to quickly understand the legal issues in your claim. Our team has handled a wide range of injury claims from soft tissue injuries to life altering injuries like traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. We know what you are up against and we can help you with the challenges you will face.
Here’s an overview of what happens when you come to us for assistance.
Information Gathering
Your first contact with our injury team is usually a free consultation that is done by phone and consists of us asking a lot of questions to get the big picture of what has happened to you. From there the injury lawyer you are dealing with will confirm whether you have a viable claim. If so, the next step is to have you come in and meet with one of our lawyers face to face. We often send a questionnaire in advance to help you gather all the important information we need to fully assess your case. Don’t worry if you don’t have some of the information or don’t know how to get it, just fill out the questionnaire as best you can. The lawyer you meet with will go through it with you to fill in any gaps and identify any further information needed.
Standard Information to Prepare
Some of the information you may need to provide to help us assess your case includes:
- Names and contact information of other parties involved in the accident (e.g., drivers, passengers, and vehicle owners).
- Names and contact information of any witnesses or bystanders to your accident.
- Names and contact information of your family doctor or health care providers such as physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, surgeons, hospitals, or others who may have information relevant to assessing your post-accident state of health.
- The name and contact information of your insurance company and claims adjuster.
Ready to take the first step? It costs you nothing to call, text, or email one of our experienced Edmonton injury lawyers. Start your process today.
Your First Meeting with Us
How Injury Claims Work
At our first meeting we will take all the time you need to explain the injury claims process so that you understand how everything works. You will also have the chance to ask questions. If you forget to ask a question that you remember later, it’s perfectly fine (and expected) that you will get in touch to get the answers you need.
Reviewing Your Injuries and Accident (No-fault) Benefits
We’ll go through what’s happening to you on the medical side so we can help make sure you are getting the care you need to progress in your recovery. We’ll also walk you through how to access Section B Accident Benefits (sometimes called no-fault benefits) during your recovery.
Review Options for Resolving Your Claim
Many people assume that hiring a personal injury lawyer means you have to go to court to get fair compensation. At our first meeting, we will explain that most cases can be resolved through negotiation and mediation. Our firm has a very good reputation for helping clients across Alberta get the compensation they deserve without the stress and uncertainty of a lengthy trial. We will also explain the different options for resolving a personal injury claim including alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation, Judicial Dispute Resolution, and mini-trials.
If you want to learn more about what our clients have to say, please visit our testimonials page.
How Much Will It Cost?
Our injury lawyers are paid through a contingency fee agreement. In general terms, this means you don’t pay any upfront money to start your lawsuit. We pay the costs of filing court documents required to preserve your rights and expert reports that may be needed to present your case properly. At CAM LLP, we collect legal fees and disbursements from any settlement or trial award that we win on your behalf.
In other words, if we aren’t successful for you, you don’t pay.
We will cover how you receive settlement funds and how you get paid any money that is awarded as damages in your lawsuit against the person at fault for your injuries.
Never be afraid to ask questions about how this all works. We are happy to answer your questions.
Hiring Us
The next step is for you to decide whether you want to hire us to act for you. If so, we’ll ask you to sign a retainer agreement that includes the terms of our contingency fee agreement. From that point we are your lawyers and we’ll deal with your insurance company and the lawyers for the defendant’s insurance company so that you can focus on your recovery. If we need any information from you we will get in touch and we will keep you informed throughout the process of any developments and decisions you may need to make.
Who Will be Handling Your Case
At our law firm we believe that continuity of care is important. That means the personal injury lawyer you start with will act for you from start to finish of your claim so that you are always dealing with one person who knows everything there is to know about your case. Our injury lawyers all have experienced legal assistants that are available to answer questions or help you with anything that arises in connection with your claim if your lawyer is in court or unavailable right away. Our injury lawyers also take great care to make sure we stay up to date on your progress and any medical developments that need to be addressed.
Help Through Every Step of the Process
As your claim progresses there may be steps you need to complete like undergoing medical examinations to confirm the nature and extent of your injuries. Don’t worry, we’ll help you prepare for any medical assessments related to your claim. You may also be asked to attend a Questioning for discovery. This is common practice and used to help identify and narrow any issues that may be in dispute regarding your claim. Again, we’ll be there to prepare you and attend with you to ensure you the Questioning is conducted properly and within the rules.
Similarly, if your claim goes to negotiation or mediation for resolution we will prepare you for any steps that need to be completed and represent you throughout.
Going to Court? Experienced Trial Lawyers
If your case is not resolved through settlement negotiations or mediation and it looks like going to court is the best way to get a just result, we are experienced trial lawyers. At CAM LLP, we’ll protect your rights and take all the necessary steps to make sure the evidence and your case is properly presented in court.
The bottomline is that regardless of how your claim progresses you will not have to deal with anything on your own. We’ll be right there beside you.
Alberta Injury Lawyers Here for You
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident or have suffered a personal injury we are here to help. Please contact us for a free consultation. We are happy to talk to you about your case whether you end up hiring us or not. We believe in providing people with full information about injury claims so that you can make informed decisions about what to do next.
CAM LLP Will Guide You Through Every Step of Your Claim
From the first free consultation to filing your claim, gathering evidence, negotiating settlements, and, if necessary, going to trial, our experienced Edmonton injury lawyers will guide you through every step of the process.
