If you suffer a serious injury, you may miss work or be unable to provide financially for yourself and your family. However, if the injury occurs at work or in an automobile accident, you may be able to recover damages for your injuries. Damages are available if your injuries were caused by another party’s negligence. Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care and act as a reasonable person would under the same circumstances. In a work environment, this means the employer has a responsibility to maintain a safe work environment for all employees. Depending on your situation, an injury attorney El Paso may recommend filing a lawsuit against the negligent party to try to recover compensation for your injuries.

For example, if you missed work while you were recovering from your injuries, an injury attorney El Paso may advise you to ask for loss of wage damages. Loss of wage damages allow you to receive reimbursement for the income you could not earn due to the injury including any difference in income you experienced if you were forced to work part time or in a different position. If your injuries affect your ability to advance in your chosen career, damages may be available to compensate you for the limited career advancement as well.

In addition to loss of wage damages, you may be entitled to reimbursement for your medical expenses. Depending on the care that you receive for your injuries, your medical expenses can be very expensive. For example, if it was necessary for you to be transported to the hospital via ambulance or if it was necessary for you to undergo multiple surgeries to repair your injuries your medical bills may be very costly. Your long term care can also be expensive, including if you must continue to receive rehabilitation treatments for your injuries, like physical therapy. Therefore, it is important to talk to an injury attorney El Paso about requesting reimbursement for your medical expenses from the negligent party.

An injury attorney El Paso may also ask the court to award pain and suffering damages. Pain and suffering damages are damages designed to compensate you for the mental and physical pain that you must experience because of your injuries. For example, if your injuries make it impossible for you to participate in activities you once enjoyed, you may be eligible to receive damages for pain and suffering. However, it is difficult to predict the amount of pain and suffering damages a court may award, and your injury attorney El Paso may only be able to give you a rough estimate of the amount of compensation you are likely to receive.

The time to file a complaint following an accident is limited by state law. Therefore, it is important to seek both medical attention and legal advice as soon after your injury as reasonably possible. If you need help finding an injury attorney El Paso, visit the State Bar of Texas’ website at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Bar_of_Texas. In addition, you can find information about how to file a civil lawsuit at the El Paso District Clerk’s website http://www.epcounty.com/districtclerk/civil.htm#faq.