Personal Injury Attorney in Appleton, WI

Damages available for your personal injury case in Wisconsin

Whether you’ve been injured in a car accident, slipped and fell, or were bitten by a dog, there’s a high chance the damages caused by your accident are costly. The compensation you receive for winning a personal injury case is not always just to cover medical expenses. The court may award you compensation to help cover a variety of potential damages:

• Medical Bills
• Permanent disabilities
• Rehabilitation & therapy
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Pain & suffering
• And more

How much does a personal injury attorney cost?

The cost to hire a personal injury attorney in Appleton depends on the law firm you hire. Most attorneys charge their clients an hourly fee for their work. Tusler Law is a no-win-no-fee law office. This means you don’t have to pay us until we help you win your case. We also offer free case assessments to our clients before they commit to hiring us (no retainer fee). 

What is a personal injury case?

A personal injury case involves a legal dispute arising when one person suffers harm from an accident or injury, with another party potentially responsible. The cases often include physical injuries but can encompass emotional distress or property damage. Common types of personal injury cases include:

• Car accidents
• Slip and fall incidents
• Medical malpractice
• Product liability
• Workplace accidents
• Dog bites

A personal injury case aims to determine legal fault for the injuries and secure compensation for the injured party. Resolutions can occur through informal settlement negotiations or formal lawsuits in civil court.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Wisconsin? (Statute of Limitations)

According to Wisconsin law, you generally have 3 years to file a personal injury lawsuit.

• The statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in Wisconsin is 3 years from the date of the injury or accident.
• This 3-year deadline applies to cases like car accidents, slips and falls, dog bites and injuries from defective products.
• The clock typically starts running on the date the injury occurred.

There are some important exceptions:

• For wrongful death cases resulting from motor vehicle accidents, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
• Claims against government entities may have shorter notice requirements, often 120 days.
• For medical malpractice cases, you have 3 years from the date of injury or 1 year from when you discovered (or should have discovered) the injury, but no more than 5 years total.
• The deadline may be extended for minors or those deemed mentally incompetent.

It's crucial to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident or injury to ensure you meet important deadlines. While 3 years may seem like a long time, building a strong case often requires prompt action to preserve evidence and witness testimony.

What evidence do I need for my personal injury case?

Strong evidence is crucial for a successful personal injury case. Key types of evidence include:

• Medical records and bills: Documenting injuries, treatment and expenses.
• Accident reports: Police reports, workplace incident reports, etc.
• Witness statements: Accounts from individuals who observed the incident or its aftermath.
• Photographs and videos: Capturing the accident scene, injuries and property damage.
• Expert testimony: From medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, etc.
• Financial records: Proving lost wages and other economic impacts.
• Physical evidence: Damaged property, defective products, etc.
• Surveillance footage: Available from nearby businesses or traffic cameras.
• Communication records: Emails, texts or letters related to the incident.
• Journal or diary: Documenting pain, limitations and recovery process.

The necessary evidence can vary based on the case type and circumstances surrounding the injury.

How much is an average personal injury settlement?

There is no definitive average for personal injury settlements, as amounts can vary widely based on several factors. These include the severity of injuries, medical treatment costs, pain and suffering, lost income and insurance policy limits.

Recent data shows that 53% of settlements are under $10,000 while 21% range from $10,000 to $25,000. About 10% fall between $25,000 and $75,000 and 16% exceed $75,000.

The type of accident also influences settlement amounts. Car accidents typically average between $20,000 and $25,000 while dog bites average around $65,000. Motorcycle accidents often see higher averages at about $73,700.

Ultimately, each case is unique. Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you evaluate the potential value of your specific claim.

Will my personal injury case go to trial?

Approximately 95% of personal injury cases settle before trial, while only 3-5% go to court. Most parties resolve their cases through negotiations and can agree on settlements at any point, even during the trial process. Both sides typically prefer to settle because trials can be costly and risky.

In summary, while you cannot guarantee that your specific case won’t go to trial, most personal injury cases settle out of court. The likelihood of going to trial depends on various factors unique to your case, such as the strength of your evidence and the willingness of both parties to negotiate.

What does no-win-no-fee mean?

No-win-no-fee is a payment arrangement commonly used in legal cases, particularly in personal injury claims. Under this agreement:

• No Upfront Costs: Clients do not pay any legal fees or costs upfront. This makes legal representation accessible to those who may not have the financial means to pay for legal services in advance.
• Payment Upon Success: The lawyer only receives payment if they win the case or secure a settlement for the client. If the case is unsuccessful, the client does not owe any attorney fees.

This arrangement allows clients to pursue legal claims with reduced financial risk, as they only pay for legal services when they achieve a favorable outcome.

Assign Power of Attorney (POA)

POA allows you to choose the people you trust to make financial and/or medical-related decisions for you in the case you are unable to make decisions for yourself.

A POA is a legal document that assigns a “principal” (the person who gives the authority to someone else) and an “agent” (the person who is given the authority to make decisions on behalf of the principal).

Power of Attorney (POA) Health

Price: $50.00

A medical or health POA allows healthcare decisions to be made for you by a designated individual in case you can’t or are unable to make decisions for yourself.

Power of Attorney (POA) Finance

Price: $200.00

POA for finances can help you avoid financial catastrophe in case you can’t or are unable to make your own financial decisions. POA also allows you to assign someone else as responsible for your financial decisions if you are unavailable at the time a decision needs to be made.

To learn more about POA with Tusler Law, contact our law office today.