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FAQs About Car Accidents, Personal Injury, and More from the Attorneys at Our Kansas City, Missouri Firm

This FAQs page is designed to address questions you have regarding your specific claim, including information about medical malpractice, personal injury, car accidents, and more. The attorneys at the Kansas City , Missouri firm of Bottaro, Morefield, Kubin & Yocum, L.C. look forward to hearing from you. Contact us today for further information or to schedule a free case review.

I have been injured, but I don't know if I have a claim. What should I do?

How long does it take to determine whether or not I have a valid claim?

What is it that you do to determine whether or not I have a valid claim?

How much does it cost me to have you do this research?

How do you determine a contingency fee?

How much money could I recover for my claim?

What if I'm injured on the job?

Is the contingency fee arrangement also used for a workers' compensation claim?

Will filing a claim take up a lot of my time?

What if my insurance company has already paid my medical bills?

Can I wait too long to bring my claim?

What if my injury did not occur in the Kansas City area?

How do you decide whether to take a case?

I have been injured by a defective product. What should I do?

What is a wrongful death claim?

What is nursing home negligence?

I have been injured, but I don't know if I have a claim. What should I do?

When in doubt, call an attorney. At Bottaro, Morefield, Kubin & Yocum L.C. we dedicate a significant amount of time to taking calls from individuals with serious questions about injuries related to medical malpractice, defective products, motorcycle accidents, semi-truck accidents, or car accidents. The experienced personal injury attorneys at our Kansas City , Missouri firm can often answer questions quickly and simply. If your injury or legal problem is complex, we will take the time necessary to determine if we can help you. Best of all, we do not charge you for your phone call.

How long does it take to determine whether or not I have a valid claim?

It depends on how complicated your injury or legal problem is. Many times all it takes is a simple phone call. However, if the personal injury attorneys at our Kansas City firm cannot completely answer your questions in one call, we will do our best to find answers promptly and return your call within a few days. In some instances, it may be necessary to have you come in to our office so our attorneys may consult with you one on one, or it may be necessary to obtain medical records or other documents that provide evidence in support of your claim.

What is it that you do to determine whether or not I have a valid claim?

The most important information our lawyers gather are the facts surrounding your injury or legal problem. Often, this information consists of police reports, medical records, witness information, and company handbooks. Of course, the information we gather depends on what your potential claim is (e.g., medical malpractice, products liability, car accidents, etc.). In addition, the lawyers at our Missouri firm research law and policy that apply to the type of injury you suffered. Next, we analyze your facts, together with the law, to determine whether your problem is one that has an identifiable legal remedy. If there is a possible legal remedy for your problem, we will discuss with you the costs and benefits of taking legal action. Some problems can be quickly solved through negotiation, while others require extensive litigation. Our lawyers search for solutions that meet your needs.

At Bottaro, Morefield, Kubin & Yocum L.C., car accidents and personal injury claims are just a few of the many types of cases we handle. Contact an attorney at our Kansas City , Missouri firm to learn how we can help you.

How much does it cost me to have you do this research?

At Bottaro, Morefield, Kubin & Yocum L.C., many of our cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. That means that we do not receive a fee unless our personal injury attorneys recover money for you. Our fee is an agreed upon percentage of what you recover. In these types of cases, we will answer your questions, and if the circumstances require it, we'll research your issues free of charge. If we decide we are unable to represent you in the matter, you will pay us nothing. If we decide to take on your case, you will only be required to pay our negotiated fee if we are successful in obtaining money for you.

If you hire us on an hourly fee basis, which is an option for you to consider, you will pay us a fee for the time we spend on your case. Our personal injury attorneys can provide estimates of what various types of legal work would cost in your case. The choice of fee basis depends on your individual circumstances.

How do you determine a contingency fee?

A contingency fee is generally a percentage of the total amount of money you recover. The percentage we ask for will depend on the type of claim you have and the complexity of the work we will be required to do. Any extra expenses we incur while representing you (such as court costs, expert fees, or costs in obtaining records) will be advanced by the firm. This means that our firm will cover these expenses for you, and you do not need to pay them until your case is completed.

How much money could I recover for my claim?

The type of injury you have suffered will generally determine the amount of money you may recover; for example, wrongful death, car accident, personal injury, etc. The first issue is whether the opposing party is legally responsible for your injury. The next issues are how severe your injury is, how much medical care you must receive, whether your injury is temporary or permanent, and how far your claim will go through the legal system (i.e., whether you settle your claim or take it to court). Determining an actual dollar amount is impossible until most of these questions have been answered. Oftentimes, the value of your claim will fluctuate throughout the legal process.

To schedule a free review of your medical malpractice, personal injury, or car accident claim, contact the attorneys at our Kansas City , Missouri firm today.

What if I'm injured on the job?

If your injury occurs at work, or while working for an employer, you most likely have a claim for workers' compensation. Workers' compensation law is an area separate and distinct from general civil law, designed to compensate employees for injuries they experience on the job. If you are injured at work, the most important thing to do first is to notify your employer of your injury. Your employer will file a report of injury with the Workers' Compensation Division. Your employer should keep copies of this form in their offices. You should contact an attorney as soon as possible. By allowing an attorney to represent you for a workers' compensation claim, you increase your chances of recovering a greater amount of money for your injuries. It is also important to find an attorney for an on-the-job injury because, in some cases, such an injury will be compensable under both workers' compensation law and general civil law. At Bottaro, Morefield, Kubin & Yocum L.C. two of our major areas of expertise are in workers' compensation law and civil personal injury claims. We have an extensive track record of providing high-quality legal services to individuals who have suffered job-related injuries. One of our senior members, Kip Kubin, is listed in the Best Lawyers in America for this practice area. If you are in need of personal injury attorneys in Missouri, we can serve you.

Is the contingency fee arrangement also used for a Workers' Compensation claim?

Yes.

Will filing a claim take up a lot of my time?

No. By hiring a personal injury attorney at our Kansas City firm, you are allowing that attorney to appear on your behalf in court proceedings and other legal matters. You will be asked to visit your attorney a few times throughout the case, and you will likely be required to attend a couple of hearings or depositions, but as a general rule, your attorney will take care of most of the "dirty work" for you. Then, depending on whether your case settles or goes to court, your claim could take as little as a few months or as much as a few years to make its way through the legal system.

What if my insurance company has already paid my medical bills?

You have not forfeited your legal right to compensation by allowing your insurance company to pay your medical bills. If the opposing party ultimately is found responsible for your injuries, they will be required to compensate you for any bills your insurance company has already paid. They may also be required to pay you for any future medical needs you may have related to your injury, any time you have lost from work, any scarring or other disfigurement, and even pain and suffering.

Can I wait too long to bring my claim?

Yes. Legal causes of action have what is called a statute of limitations. This is a deadline by which you have to bring your claim before it is considered too old to litigate. Statutes of Limitations vary depending on your type of claim, e.g. medical malpractice, personal injury, wrongful death, etc. They also vary depending on whether you are a minor or somehow unable to bring an action on your own. In order to avoid missing your deadline, be sure to contact an attorney as soon after your injury as possible. Aside from the statute of limitations, it is important to gather evidence in support of your claim as soon as possible after your injury occurs. Facts and evidence are the difference between successful and unsuccessful cases. By contacting our personal injury attorneys quickly, you give us a better chance of being able to gather the evidence necessary to win your case. As time passes, memories can fade, witnesses can disappear and documents can be lost.

To avoid missing the deadline set by your statute of limitations, contact our personal injury and car accidents attorneys today. We are located in Kansas City , Missouri and serve all of the surrounding areas.

What if my injury did not occur in the Kansas City area?

At Bottaro, Morefield, Kubin & Yocum, L.C., most of our personal injury attorneys are licensed in both Kansas and Missouri. If your injury occurred anywhere within those states, we are fully equipped to handle your claim. We frequently handle cases in Overland Park, Topeka, Lawrence, Emporia, Pittsburg, and other cities in Kansas as well as in St. Joseph, Joplin, Springfield, and other cities in Missouri. Even if you have a question about an injury that did not occur within Kansas or Missouri, give us a call. In some cases we may be able to handle a claim in another state with the assistance of local counsel. Additionally, our involvement in the American Bar Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America provides us with extensive contacts nationwide. We would be happy to put you in touch with an experienced attorney in another part of the country.

How do you decide whether to take a case?

Our firm is very selective about the cases it takes. We believe it is more important to give 110 percent to cases we believe passionately in than to spread ourselves thin by taking on too much work. Some of the factors we consider are whether we consider the witnesses believable, the extent of evidence available to support the claim, the severity of the injury, and whether the client seems comfortable with our approach. We aspire to the highest ideals of our profession. Our personal injury attorneys are aggressive but honest. We are experienced, but always expanding our knowledge and improving our skills to advance the interests of our clients.

As a client, you should be selective about who will be your lawyer. Remember when you call that you are interviewing us as well. When interviewing a lawyer, ask questions about experience, attorney fees, expenses, areas of practice, and time available to handle your case. Remember, too, that it is important to find an attorney you like as a person. You will be discussing important personal issues such as medical treatment and financial issues with your attorney as your case proceeds. Make sure you pick someone you are comfortable with. Our firm was established with your interests in mind.

To find out whether your personal injury or car accidents case can be handled by the attorneys at our Kansas City , Missouri firm, contact us today.

I have been injured by a defective product. What should I do?

Once you have taken care of your medical needs, you should contact our personal injury attorneys in Kansas City, Missouri or another law firm as soon as possible. Make sure to keep any receipts or other information relating to your purchase of the defective product. For example, if you have a claim involving a medication such as Baycol® or Rezulin®, save any and all information you received from your doctor and from the pharmacy. In cases of this type it is very important to gather information quickly.

What is a wrongful death claim?

A wrongful death claim is a lawsuit that is brought when a family member is killed due to the negligence or recklessness of another person or company. A wrongful death claim may result from any number of situations, including medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, defective products, and car accidents. Contact our Kansas City, Missouri firm if your child, parent, husband, or wife lost his or her life as a result of someone else's wrongdoing. Our wrongful death lawyers may be able to help you recover funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and lost income.

What is nursing home negligence?

Nursing home negligence is a broad category of claims relating to the mistreatment or poor treatment of nursing home residents. Claims involve issues such as inadequate medical treatment, inadequate supervision, decubitus ulcers (bed sores), and personal injuries due to the negligence of nursing home staff. Many nursing homes today are high-volume, understaffed corporate profit centers. Poor attention to the needs of nursing home residents can lead to unnecessary injuries. Please contact us if you or a loved one has been the victim of a nursing home injury.

It is important to find personal injury attorneys who are knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated to working with you on your legal needs. Don't hesitate to contact the business litigation, car accidents, and personal injury attorneys at our Kansas City, Missouri firm about any further questions you have regarding your potential case.

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816-256-4660

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Bottaro, Morefield, Kubin & Yocum, L.C.
1001 E. 101st Terrace Suite 120
Kansas City MO, 64131

Phone: 816-256-4660
Toll Free: 866-699-5141
Local: 816-256-4660