7 Times a Lawsuit Is Actually Worth the Fight
Many people hesitate to pursue matters legally because they don’t want the hassle, or they feel like it’s overkill. However, lawsuits exist to resolve serious disputes where informal solutions fail. While not every conflict justifies legal action, some situations do. Sometimes a lawsuit is the only way to force accountability and recover financial compensation after a significant loss. Not every legal battle is unnecessary.
Here’s when it’s warranted.
- When a car accident causes major injury
Severe car accident injuries are one situation in which pursuing a lawsuit is justified, if the law allows. When a crash results in long-term injury, permanent disability, or overwhelming medical expenses, a lawsuit is sometimes the only way to get financial justice. This is especially true if the at-fault driver was uninsured, underinsured, or driving recklessly.
Catastrophic physical injuries like a brain injury or spinal cord damage often require lifelong medical care and rehab. When your ability to work or live independently has been altered, you might be allowed to file a lawsuit instead of going through insurance. In cases involving extreme misconduct, courts often allow for enhanced damages. If you qualify and win your case, you could receive a generous settlement that will cover more than just your medical bills.
- When medical errors result in preventable harm
Medical malpractice lawsuits are worth pursuing if you have a case. They’re complex and tedious, but with a good lawyer, you won’t have to do anything but provide your evidence and show up to court. Your lawyer will guide you through the process.
A medical malpractice lawsuit isn’t just about an unwanted outcome like a lingering infection or complication. It’s when a medical doctor deviates from the standard of care in a way that causes harm. These cases often include misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, surgical errors, and failure to get informed consent. Lawsuits for medical malpractice can get you financial compensation and force corrective action against the provider.
- When workplace injuries cause long-term damage
Similar to car accidents, workplace injuries are typically required to be resolved and compensated through a workers’ compensation program. However, some situations are exempt and can be pursued through a lawsuit. It depends on the severity of the injury and other factors like loss of earning capacity.
Beyond your employer, you can hold third parties accountable, including equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, and even property owners, depending on the situation.
- When a defective product causes injury
Product liability lawsuits are the only way to get compensated for being injured by a defective product and hold the manufacturer accountable. Lawsuits force manufacturers to address unsafe designs and can sometimes force them to halt operations.
In 2020 alone, an estimated 28,535,000 people needed medical care for an injury related to a consumer product. Sometimes these injuries are caused by outright defects, but often they’re the result of inadequate instructions or missing warnings. In addition to providing you with compensation, a lawsuit can protect others.
- When you can prove employment discrimination or retaliation
Not all situations in the workplace are discrimination or retaliation, but if you have a strong case, its worth pursuing. Employment lawsuits are warranted when the discrimination or retaliation causes measurable harm to your career or finances.
- When financial fraud or breach of contract causes a major loss
When a business partner or employer violates a contract or engages in fraud, the financial impact can be harsh. Unlike minor disputes that can be resolved informally, significant losses usually require litigation to resolve. A civil lawsuit allows you to present the full extent of damages and pursue legal remedies like financial compensation or restitution. In some cases, courts will impose additional damages designed to deter similar conduct in the future.
- When the harm is continuous
A lawsuit is generally worth pursuing when the long-term consequences of doing nothing will cost you more than the time and money you’d invest in taking legal action. For example, a dispute that disrupts your earning ability or housing stability will have a compounding financial effect and is worth pursuing.
Know when a lawsuit is justified
A lawsuit may seem like a reaction to conflict, but it’s actually the smartest way to resolve complex issues fairly. The situations outlined in this article are examples of times when not acting can have long-term consequences you shouldn’t have to deal with.
When you’ve lost money, are dealing with a serious injury, or when you need to hold someone accountable, legal action becomes both reasonable and necessary.
