May 7, 2024 | Personal Injury
Hurt in an accident caused by another party’s negligence in Edmond or elsewhere in Oklahoma County? You have the right to pursue compensation for the full extent of your damages, including economic losses and non-economic losses. Personal injury claims are complicated. Hiring an attorney can make a difference.
However, there are some situations in which a person may not reasonably be expected to find and hire an attorney on their own after a bad accident. When needed, you can get a personal injury attorney for another (vulnerable) person. At McGuire Law Firm, our Edmond personal injury attorney can give you more information on when you can hire a lawyer on behalf of someone else.
Three Common Reasons Why You Would Hire an Edmond Personal Injury for Someone Else
A Child (Minor)
Minors cannot legally enter into contracts or make decisions about litigation. A child (minor) cannot represent himself or herself in the personal injury claim process in Oklahoma. With that being said, a claim can still be filed if a child is hurt in an accident. When a minor is injured due to someone else’s negligence, it is generally up to his or her parent or legal guardian to initiate the claim. Among other things, this means that the parent has the right to hire an Edmond personal injury lawyer on the child’s behalf. The parent/guardian should work closely with the attorney to gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit. The goal is to secure compensation for the child’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, and any damages. Some settlements on behalf of children require court approval.
Special Needs Loved One
In cases where a loved one with special needs is injured, their legal guardian or conservator can hire an Edmond, OK personal injury lawyer on their behalf. It is crucial that a trusted loved one steps in to handle the personal injury claims process for a vulnerable person who cannot manage their own legal affairs due to cognitive or physical disabilities. A special needs loved one could be hurt in a car crash, fall accident, or even in a care facility due to neglect or abuse. Their guardian can hire a personal injury attorney to help ensure that they are able to access justice and compensation.
Catastrophically Injured Victim
When someone suffers catastrophic injuries—such as severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury—another person may need to step in to hire an Edmond personal injury lawyer on their behalf. This is often necessary if the injured person is incapacitated and unable to make decisions. Most often, a close family member takes on this role. With support from the family member/loved one, the Edmond, OK personal injury lawyer can handle all of the legal aspects of the case. Catastrophic injury claims are exceptionally complex—especially if the victim’s injuries are so severe that they are not able to hire an attorney on their own. If your family member sustained catastrophic harm, an experienced Edmond, OK personal injury attorney can help review your case and help you determine the best course of action.
You May Need to Obtain Power of Attorney (POA) or a Guardianship/Conservatorship
How do you get the legal authority to hire a personal injury lawyer for another person? Unless you are the parent of a minor or you are already the legal guardian of a vulnerable adult, you will need to take proactive steps to get the authority to act on their behalf. Most often, this means ensuring that you have power of attorney (POA) or are appointed a guardian/conservator. Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma explains that power of attorney is a legal document that allows one person (the agent) to act on behalf of another person (the principal) in legal, financial, and/or health-related matters. When hiring a personal injury attorney for another person, you must do so for the purpose of ensuring that they are able to secure the compensation that they need to cover their damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other non-economic losses.
Contact Our Edmond Personal Injury Attorney Today
At McGuire Law Firm, our Edmond personal injury lawyer provides skillful, solutions-focused legal advocacy to clients. If your loved one was catastrophically hurt in an accident, we can help. Give us a call now or contact us online for your free, no-strings-attached initial case review. With an office in Edmond, we handle personal injury claims in Oklahoma County and throughout the entire region.