Free Alaska Personal Injury FAQs | Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions - LawInfo

I Was Injured. What Can I Do Now?

Tue, 29 May 2007 20:19:00 GMT

You can make a claim against another party if they are more at fault for your injury than you are. Alaska is a comparative fault state. This means that a claimant's fault does not bar recovery. You can recover if your own negligence is not greater than the negligence of the person against whom the claim is made. Whether or not you are entitled to compensation may depend on the type of accident that caused the injury.

For example, workplace injuries generally are covered by worker's comp

How Will My Claim Be Processed?

Tue, 29 May 2007 20:19:00 GMT

If the person who caused your injury has insurance, an insurance adjuster will gather the pertinent records including medical records, medical bills, wage loss verification and the like in an effort to verify your damages. The insurance company may make you an offer to settle the claim. You may find the offer acceptable and once you accept it, the claim process is over. If you do not receive an acceptable offer, you can proceed with filing a lawsuit.

You should be sure not to sign any

Who Is Responsible When A Person Is Injured?

Sun, 16 May 2010 16:13:11 GMT

The law of personal injury is concerned with determining who may be responsible for your injuries and how much they should be required to pay for your damages. Personal injury is part of the law of torts, the legal term that includes all types of injuries to people and their property. There are a number of principles that apply to the law of torts and personal injury. These principles recognize degrees of fault on the part of the person who causes the injury. In general, the degrees of fault

How Do I Decide If I Need To Hire An Attorney?

Tue, 29 May 2007 20:19:00 GMT

There are situations where an attorney is unnecessary, such as very small cases. Small claims court in Alaska will handle claims up to $7500. If your injury is a minor one that will not result in any incapacity, or substantial medical care, then you may want to settle it yourself in small claims court. You can obtain the Alaska Small Claims Handbook from the Alaska Court System.

An attorney should be consulted if you have been seriously injured or are unsure as to the outcome of your in

How Much Will An Attorney Cost?

Tue, 29 May 2007 20:19:00 GMT

Most attorneys who believe a case has merit will take the case without payment up front. They will take the case on a contingency basis, which means they will receive a percentage of your award if and when you recover for your injuries. Contingency fees average between 25 and 40 percent. Some attorneys will charge an hourly fee or a flat fee. In Alaska, you cannot be required to accept a contingent fee agreement, but can choose between a contingent fee and an hourly fee. The attorney's out of

How Long Do I Have To Hire An Attorney?

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 21:56:12 GMT

The law requires that you file a lawsuit within a specified period of time depending on the nature of the claim and the entity that caused your injury. This is referred to as the statute of limitations. Generally, for personal injury claims, the statute of limitations in Alaska is two years from the time of injury.

The period of limitations usually runs from the time the injury occurred. Special rules, however, apply in some situations. If the claimant is under the age of majori

What Damages Can I Recover?

Tue, 29 May 2007 20:19:00 GMT

Alaskan law allows an injured person to claim whatever losses you suffered as a result of another person's negligence. You can recover your actual losses such as medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages. The law allows compensation for future medical and care expenses as well as future loss of income and earning capacity.

You are also entitled to noneconomic damages for pain, suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of c

How Can I Determine How Much My Claim Is Worth?

Tue, 29 May 2007 20:19:00 GMT

For purposes of settlement, a claim is valued upon an estimate of what a jury would likely believe the case to be worth, taking into account the severity of the injury, the effects of the injury on your life and the negligence of the other party. If you were partially at fault for the accident, the amount of damages will be reduced proportionately. Any settlement will be reduced if there appears to be a good chance that the claim will not be successful. Other factors that may reduce the damag