While defective drug victims are legally entitled to financial compensation for their suffering and injuries, nonetheless they should initiate legal action promptly or face a risk of surrendering that option. Every state in America has statutes of limitations pertaining to the time periods provided for pursuing personal injury lawsuits. Victims who fail to launch such legal action within this time frame set by their state could be barred from proceeding.

When an injured person consults with an attorney to represent him or her, the personal injury attorney typically reviews the facts explained to determine the case’s likelihood for success. The personal injury attorney calls this initial meeting of fact gathering between himself and the injured person the intake. The attorney considers many factors that will affect the case, including the time that has passed since when the injury first occurred, the evidence the client presents to him of the injury, the evidence he can expect to obtain in the future, the availability of any persons who witness what caused the injury, the ability of the person or company that caused the injury to adequately provide compensation, the costs he expects the case will incur, among several other factors. He may want to interview other witnesses or do further investigation before agreeing to accept the case. He may also consider whether the case would best be resolved through litigation or by some alternative method of resolving the dispute, such as through arbitration.

Once the attorney agrees to represent the injured person, he may send a demand letter to the person or company responsible for the injury, demanding compensation on his client’s behalf. However, this step is often skipped in personal injury cases in favor of immediately initiating a lawsuit by filing a complaint. Either way, every person involved in a personal injury case should realize that the following stages could, and usually do, quickly come to an end as soon as both sides reach a compromise and agree to settle the case.

It goes without saying that legal matters can be complicated – even overwhelming at times – but you should not accept that reality as a deterrent to understanding the procedures, policies, and costs that will pertain to your particular case. Make certain that your attorney provides detailed explanations of all court procedures that will likely be involved, as well as legal concepts that may play out in their strategy.

Lawsuits for injuries caused by defective drugs can be complex legal matters. Make sure the attorney you trust with your case is qualified for this type of lawsuit and has experience fighting large drug companies. This could mean the difference between a quick, fair settlement and years of waiting for a case that doesn’t develop.