Can I Get a Personal Injury Attorney During a Pandemic?

With states on lockdown, shelter in place orders posted, and courts are closed, many have been wondering if it’s the right time to get a lawyer.

Some people are thinking they’d like to wait until they can go out in public again, visit a lawyer’s office, and interview a few different attorneys themselves. However, waiting to find a lawyer can affect your case and might interfere with its statute of limitations. Also, waiting until the courts open back up again means that your paperwork will be at the bottom of the stack of all the backlogs once courts begin processing cases again. So what can you be doing right now?

Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

If you or a loved one has been injured by someone else’s negligence, it makes sense to not only stand up for your rights but also to help stop the negligent party from harming others in the same way again. You could potentially sue the negligent party on your own to hold them accountable. But our legal system can be complex, and hiring a trusted attorney and friend on your side can really help.

They can ensure your paperwork is completed, filed, and executed properly. They also handle cases each and every day, they know the judges, the courts, and may help you win the compensation you deserve.

Begin Researching for an Experienced Lawyer

There are many different specialties and focuses of law. You should look for a lawyer who specializes in the type of case you’ll be filing. You wouldn’t necessarily want a specialized criminal defense attorney handling your divorce papers, you’d want to hire someone with years of experience handling and mediating divorces to help you. The same goes for personal injury cases.

At Loscalzo & Loscalzo, P.C., we have over 50 years of experience. President Anthony Loscalzo is currently in his third decade of working with our firm and took over the practice after his father passed away. Anthony also serves as an Arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association and with the Manhattan Arbitration Program.

Anthony Loscalzo also is affiliated with the following associations:

• Medical Malpractice Mediation Panel for the First Judicial Department

• American Bar Association

• New York State Bar Association

• American Association for Justice

• New York State Trial Lawyers Association

• Columbian Lawyers Association

• Florida Bar Association

• Suffolk County Bar Association

• New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers

Many lawyers claim to be able to handle all types of law. And while that may be true, finding a lawyer with specialties in the area of your case can be the tipping point of winning or losing your case.

What if I Wait Until the Pandemic is Over?

It can be difficult to navigate what’s best to do right now during the coronavirus pandemic. But know that if you wait too long, or if you weren’t injured recently, there is a statute of limitations in the state of New York. The New York State Unified Court System states that “other negligence resulting in personal injury” cases must be filed within 3 years from the date of the accident.

Other personal injury cases are also listed on The New York State Unified Court System site. Some cases need to be filed with notice within 90 days of the incident, while others have a longer period of time. It’s best to start as soon as possible on your case, so you’re not cutting your timeline down to the wire.