Local Representation For Your Workplace Injury Case
Whether it involved getting rear-ended on their daily commute or suffering injuries caused by dangerous conditions on someone else’s property, Iowans have rights when they are injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. At Platt Law Firm P.C. in Des Moines, we will help you fight for your right to obtain damages to compensate you for your suffering.
I am attorney Nicholas Platt. I was born and raised in Iowa, so I know firsthand how easily an accident can occur in the Des Moines area. Serious injuries can be caused by reckless driving, poor road conditions or an unrestrained animal, and they can set you back financially and personally. My office is dedicated to ensuring that my clients understand their rights under Iowa’s personal injury laws. If you decide to pursue a claim, Platt Law Firm P.C. will advocate for your best interests to help you get what you deserve.
From the moment you reach out to my firm, you will be treated with care and respect. My intake process is handled in person by experienced staff who take the time to listen to what happened, gather the details of your situation, and make sure you feel heard from day one. Two members of my team are fluent Spanish speakers, so if English is not your first language, you can share your story comfortably and confidently in Spanish.
After an accident, you understandably want to spend your time recovering and getting back to your life. When you work with me and my team at Platt Law Firm P.C. we will help you with every step of your case, from gathering evidence to communicating with insurance companies on your behalf.
As a Des Moines personal injury attorney serving workers and families throughout Central Iowa, I handle personal injury claims arising from a variety of accidents, including:
In Iowa, you can obtain compensation for economic and noneconomic losses you sustained in your accident. Economic damages include tangible reimbursements, such as payments for medical expenses, lost wages, lost future income and rehabilitation costs. Noneconomic damages include compensation for pain and suffering and loss of quality of life. At Platt Law Firm P.C. I will go over your options with you so you fully understand the types of damages you can fight for.
If you were seriously hurt in a Central Iowa car accident, a slip and fall, a dog attack, a boating accident, or an ATV crash caused by someone else, Iowa law may allow you to recover several different types of damages. Every case is different, and the compensation available to you will depend on the specific facts of your situation. That said, here is a general overview of what injured Iowans may be able to pursue.
Economic damages are meant to cover the real, measurable financial losses you have experienced because of your injuries. These can include:
Not every loss shows up on a medical bill. Noneconomic damages are intended to compensate you for the personal toll your injuries have taken on your life. These can include:
At Platt Law Firm P.C. I will carefully document your losses and fight to make sure every category of harm is accounted for.
If you have never been through a personal injury claim before, it is natural to have questions. Here are answers to some of the things we hear most often from people who contact our office after an accident in the Des Moines area or elsewhere in Central Iowa.
Possibly, yes. Iowa follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that even if you were partially at fault for what happened, you may still be able to recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident. If you were 50 percent or less at fault, your total compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20 percent at fault and your total damages were $100,000, you could still recover $80,000. This is an area where having an experienced Des Moines personal injury attorney in your corner matters. Insurance companies will often try to shift as much blame as possible onto the injured person to reduce or eliminate what they have to pay. We will work to make sure the facts are presented accurately and fairly.
Yes. A personal injury claim is a civil matter, not a criminal one. Criminal charges and civil liability are separate legal questions decided under different standards. In a criminal case, the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In a civil personal injury case, the standard is lower. You only need to show that the other party was more likely than not responsible for your injuries. So even if the driver who hit you was never ticketed or charged, you may still have a valid claim for compensation. The two processes are independent of each other, and the outcome of one does not automatically determine the outcome of the other.
No. Platt Law Firm P.C. handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket to get your case started. My fee comes out of the compensation I recover for you, and only if we are successful. If I do not recover anything for you, you do not owe me a legal fee. This arrangement is designed to make sure that cost is never a barrier to getting the legal help you need after a serious injury.
Usually, you only have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim in Iowa, so it is essential that you contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. To schedule a consultation at my Des Moines-area office, call me at 515-278-1522 or complete my online contact form to schedule a consultation. Se habla español.
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