At the Law Offices of Jon Friedman, our Oregon personal injury attorneys understand that getting hurt in an accident generally means incurring damages. They can include the seemingly overlookable expense of using public transportation while your vehicle is being assessed for damages after a car crash or a health insurance copay due after a physician examines your physical injuries.
The good news is that the expenses related to your injuries should be compensable, and it is essential to record and keep records of these costs so you can include them in your overall damages.
Other costs associated with building a solid personal injury claim — but not necessarily paid directly out of your pocket — may also impact your overall negotiated settlement or jury verdict, as they will be deducted from the award to pay for the expenses directly.
Here is an overview of the potential costs you might encounter to reach a successful outcome.
Direct Damages that Result from Your Oregon Personal Injury Claim
Your personal injury attorney will outline the economic and non-economic damages associated with your personal injury claim before negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company begin.
They include:
- All past and future medical expenses.
- Lost wages and loss of future earnings.
- The cost of rehabilitation, physical therapy, live-in care, and other specialized treatment.
- Property repairs and replacements.
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident.
- Every way the injuries impact your day-to-day life.
Professional Costs that May Result from Your Oregon Personal Injury Claim
In addition to the economic and non-economic expenses associated with your personal injury claim, there are professional and administrative costs that may be incurred throughout the recovery process.
All Oregon personal injury claims are unique, and some (more than others) may require incurring additional expenses that include, but are not limited to:
- Attorney’s Fees
Personal injury attorneys often work on a contingency fee basis, which means they are only paid if they win your case. The attorney’s fee is usually a percentage of the final settlement or court award. If you do not win your case, you generally do not owe attorney’s fees.
Depending on the complexity of your Oregon personal injury claim, other costs might include:
- Out-of-Pocket Administrative Costs
Costs associated with creating case documents, exhibits, and other materials.
- Out-of-Pocket Investigation Costs
Costs related to gathering evidence, conducting investigations, and obtaining records. This may include expenses for obtaining medical records, police reports, or other documents.
- Expert Witness Fees
If your case requires the testimony of expert witnesses, the cost of medical experts or accident reconstruction experts.
- Mediation or Arbitration Costs
If your case goes through alternative dispute resolution processes like mediation or arbitration, fees will be associated with those processes. In Oregon, the statutory arbitration fee is $100.
- Trial Preparation Expenses
If your case is not resolved during negotiations – like nearly 95% of all personal injury claims in the nation are – there may be costs associated with taking your case to trial, including exhibits, trial binders, and other trial-related preparations.
- Deposition Costs
Depositions are interviews conducted under oath with parties involved in the case or witnesses. There are costs associated with conducting and transcribing depositions.
- Travel Expenses
If travel is required for depositions, court appearances, or other aspects of your case, you may be responsible for travel costs.
- Court Filing Fees
If and when a lawsuit is filed, fees are associated with initiating legal proceedings in Oregon courts to the state of Oregon and the process server.
Contact Our Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
You should discuss costs and expenses with your personal injury attorney before proceeding with your claim. Most personal injury attorneys advance these costs and deduct them from your settlement or award when the case is resolved.
Contact our Multnomah County attorneys at the Law Offices of Jon Friedman at (503)-242-1440 or online today to schedule a free consultation and get the help you need to make informed decisions about the direction of your case.
