St. John’s Personal Injury Lawyers

If you’ve been injured in St. John’s or anywhere in Newfoundland and Labrador, NOVA Injury Law is here to fight for you. As a dedicated personal injury law firm, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that an accident can take. Our experienced legal team combines medical knowledge and legal representation to help victims recover compensation and rebuild their lives.

We are proud to be known as The Doctor-Lawyer Law Firm™, a unique approach where our in-house physician supports every personal injury case with credible medical evidence. This means stronger claims, clearer proof of damages, and better outcomes for our clients.

Check out our founder Jeff Mitchell’s story of how NOVA started.
Meet our incredible lawyers.
Learn why NOVA Injury Law is known as The Doctor-Lawyer Law Firm™.
Hear our clients’ stories.
Check out our charitable initiatives in our local communities.

Watch Tammy and Anthony’s testimonial on how NOVA Injury Law helped them with their injury claim:

What Sets NOVA Injury Law Apart?

We’re one of the only injury firms with our own in-house physician to help you create a bullet-proof case.
We offer free consultations with no obligation.
Technology allows us to easily communicate with clients anywhere, from small towns to large cities. However, if you prefer in-person consults, we proudly offer complimentary house-calls anywhere in Halifax or Nova Scotia.

Our payment is contingent on winning your case (no win, no fee), so you can focus on recovery.

What Should I Do Immediately After Being Injured in an Accident?

Newfoundland has strict mandatory reporting requirements that include notifying the police immediately, obtaining medical care, and then notifying your insurance company.

There are several essential steps to take following an accident-related injury and protect your right to file a personal injury claim, which include:

Call 911 to report the accident. You must not leave the accident scene
Collect the names and contact information of those who witnessed the accident
Gather evidence by documenting the accident scene by taking numerous photos and videos. Be sure to take pictures of the injuries you sustained
File a police report and request a copy for your records
Seek medical attention and keep all paperwork the hospital provides to you. Medical documentation will prove invaluable when you seek compensation for your injuries
Do not post any pictures, videos, or statements regarding the accident on social media
Contact your insurance company immediately to report the accident
Avoid speaking with the negligent party’s insurance company. Insurance companies have the right to use your statements against you to try to delay, deny, or reduce your compensation claim
Consult a personal injury lawyer who will act as your legal advocate and interact with the insurance company

What Do I Need to Know About Preserving Evidence & Avoiding Early Mistakes?

Supporting evidence will play a key role in bolstering your claim. Insurance companies employ legal teams whose sole task is to find ways to deny or reduce claims. One of the most critical steps you can take after suffering a personal injury and avoiding mistakes is to preserve crucial evidence.

Some of the most valuable evidence you can have that will withstand legal scrutiny includes:

Photos and videos of the scene that substantiate your claim. For example, if you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, you would need to document the damage to both vehicles in addition to the weather, road, skid marks, and lighting conditions.
Witness reports: Having witness reports that validate your side of the story is essential and can help prevent the insurance company from trying to blame you for the accident. Taking immediate action when obtaining witness contact information, as witnesses can move, making them challenging to locate, and their memories quickly fade
Police and medical reports: Law enforcement and medical reports can serve as compelling evidence when pursuing a personal injury claim with the insurance company, especially when determining liability

Remember, you should only allow your personal injury lawyer to communicate with the insurer so that you can avoid the possibility of jeopardizing your claim. Additionally, you must never sign any agreement with the insurance company without allowing your lawyer to review it to ensure it adequately meets your needs.

Why Do I Need to Provide Medical Documentation for a Personal Injury Claim?

After you have been injured in an accident, you must seek medical attention immediately. Being examined by a healthcare professional will provide the medical documentation you will need to substantiate your claim.

You must keep detailed and accurate records of all medical treatment you have received, as well as any ongoing care needs, such as physical therapy and rehabilitation. You must also keep a record of all your financial expenditures, including receipts for medical bills, prescriptions, and transportation expenses. These records will be invaluable to your case and support your compensation claim.

Linking Medical Evidence to Legal Claims

Medical documentation is considered critical evidence in any personal injury claim as it shows a link between physical injuries and the victim’s intangible losses. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could also be dealing with emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.

Compensation is determined based on the individual facts of each case. Supporting medical documentation provides direct proof of how the injuries have negatively affected the injured party.

Medical documentation provides in-depth evidence that will establish the basis for your claim. While insurance companies may try to dispute medical evidence, diagnostic test results can provide clear and convincing evidence that can withstand legal scrutiny should the case proceed to litigation.

Can Delayed Reporting Affect My Right to Compensation?

If you have suffered a personal injury in the St. John’s area, you cannot delay reporting the accident to legal authorities and the insurance company. Failing to meet essential deadlines can cause you to lose your right to recover financial compensation.

Reporting and Insurance Claims

Although there are several different deadlines for various accident claims, it is always best to contact legal authorities immediately. For example, accidents involving injuries should always be reported as soon as possible. For instance, individuals are required to notify their insurer in writing within 30 days of the accident that they have been involved in a collision.

If your injuries stem from an automobile accident, you have 120 days from the date the accident occurred to serve written notice that you intend to take legal action. Even so, waiting to file a personal injury claim of any kind can lead to unnecessary problems, including possibly missing the legal deadline to file your claim. The statute of limitations has clearly defined timeframes that define how long you have to sue after being injured in an accident, and must be adhered to to avoid losing your right to compensation.

Why Do Personal Injury Victims Need Legal Representation?

After you have filed an insurance claim, the company will assign an adjuster to oversee your case. Even though the adjuster may seem friendly and sympathetic, it is important to remember that their job is to save the insurance company money. It is not uncommon for an insurer to use your statements against you when trying to deny or reduce claims.

All communications with insurance representatives should be directed through your lawyer to protect your legal rights and ensure you receive a fair settlement for your injuries.

Recorded Statements

Asking personal injury victims to make recorded statements is one of the most common tactics insurance adjusters use to deny or lowball claims. For example, many accident victims make the critical error of agreeing to a recorded statement early in the case before all medical facts have been thoroughly identified.

Because it is their job to save the insurance provider money, they are trained to ask you leading questions and can use your answers against you in court. Unfortunately, many injured victims unintentionally admit fault, which could cause the claim to be rejected.

Quick Settlement Offers

Another typical approach used by insurers is to offer quick settlements to victims. Although the idea of a quick settlement may seem appealing, it is unlikely to provide adequate compensation for future medical expenses and pain and suffering damages.

Once you accept a settlement agreement and sign a final release, your claim is closed, and you lose your right to recover any further compensation, no matter what other medical conditions may arise that are connected to the accident.

The most effective way to ensure that you can protect your right to file a claim and recover the full compensation you deserve is to hire a personal injury lawyer who will act as your legal liaison with the insurance provider.

How Do I Choose the Right Legal Representation for a Personal Injury Case?

If you have been injured due to another person’s negligence, you need a legal team that will stand up for your rights. Your best option is to contact a personal injury law firm to set up a free consultation as soon as possible. NOVA Injury Law has a proven track record of providing skilled legal representation to injured victims and achieving favorable client outcomes.

What to Expect from Your Legal Team

Choosing the right law firm can be a challenging task and can make all the difference between recovering the compensation you need to face the future confidently. If you have suffered a personal injury, you must consult a qualified lawyer immediately. Time is of the essence in personal injury claims, and only prompt legal action can help to preserve your rights.

Several crucial steps you should take include reading client reviews and testimonials. You are also encouraged to inquire about the firm’s experience in handling personal injury cases, its track record of recovering compensation, and understand how the law firm communicates with clients.

What are the Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases Lawyers Handle?

Personal injury lawyers frequently handle cases involving motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall incidents, and premises liability claims. In some instances, the insurance provider is willing to settle the claim fairly easily, especially if the victim only suffered minor injuries. Even so, in cases where victims suffer severe injuries that can result in long-term disability, insurers often try to delay or deny claims to avoid large payouts.

Personal injury cases can leave individuals scrambling to deal with unexpected medical expenses and other losses. After you have suffered an injury, the next step is to file a legal claim to try to recover damages. One of the most significant benefits of having legal representation is that your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company to try to work out a fair settlement. However, if the insurer is unwilling to offer complete and fair compensation, your lawyer will file a personal injury lawsuit, and the case will proceed to court.

What Should I Expect When Seeking Compensation?

Although on the surface, the claims process may seem relatively straightforward, it can easily become complicated, especially if you have sustained severe or catastrophic injuries. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer can make the difference between receiving fair compensation that holds the negligent party accountable and accepting a minimal offer from the insurance company.

Understanding Compensation: From Bills to Lost Wages

Personal injury law enables accident victims to seek compensation that covers their financial losses and other related expenses. Some of the most frequently awarded compensation covers damages that include:

Past and future medical bills
Lost wages and benefits
Future medical costs, such as rehabilitation or physical therapy

Pain and Suffering

In Newfoundland, pain and suffering damages fall under general damages that compensate victims for intangible losses such as:

Physical and emotional pain
Emotional distress
Psychological trauma
Loss of enjoyment of life and the ability to participate in activities

It is important to note that under the law, a fixed amount must be deducted from any general damages awarded to the accident victim. For example, if a personal injury victim recovers $25,000 and is also awarded pain and suffering damages $5,000 will be deducted. If the value of the pain and suffering damages is less than $5,000, the accident victim will not recover any compensation for intangible losses.

Catastrophic Injuries

If you have suffered permanent injuries such as spinal cord or traumatic brain injury, you may also be able to seek compensation that pays for ongoing medical care. In extreme cases, you may also be able to recover punitive damages if you can present clear and convincing evidence that the negligent party acted intentionally or with a reckless disregard for your safety.

Why Do I Need to Hire a St. John’s Personal Injury Lawyer if I Have Suffered Catastrophic Injuries?

Accident victims who have suffered catastrophic injuries such as brain or spinal cord injuries may be able to seek compensation to pay for skilled nursing care and other associated costs. If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury caused by another person’s negligence, it’s essential to hire a lawyer who can navigate the complex legal issues involved in your case.

Only a knowledgeable lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve, and that will adequately pay for your past and future medical expenses. Insurance companies often try to deny or lowball claims in cases where victims have suffered catastrophic injuries because they because they typically result in high-value settlements or verdicts.

Experienced personal injury lawyers are familiar with the tactics insurers use when dealing with catastrophic injury claims. At NOVA Injury Law, our injury lawyers have significant experience helping clients who have suffered life-altering injuries recover full and fair compensation so they can move forward with confidence.

Punitive Damages

In extreme cases, you may also be able to recover punitive damages if you can present clear and convincing evidence that the negligent party acted intentionally or with a reckless disregard for your safety.

What is Involved in the Legal Process of Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

If the insurance company is unwilling to present a reasonable offer for your claim, your lawyer can pursue further action by filing a lawsuit. The primary legal issue that must be proven in any personal injury lawsuit is determining liability. A lawyer must first demonstrate that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care and that the defendant was negligent in their legal duty. Next, a lawyer must also show a causal link between the breach and the plaintiff’s injuries and present evidence that the injured party suffered actual damages.

Filing and Managing Your Personal Injury Lawsuit

There are several steps involved with filing and managing your personal injury lawsuit that you should be familiar with as your case moves forward. These steps include:

Discovery and pre-trial proceedings: During this phase of litigation, each side exchanges information about the case, including medical records, witness testimony, depositions, photographic evidence, and other relevant legal documents.
Trial: If the case cannot be settled out of court, it will proceed to trial. During the trial, the judge or jury will hear evidence presented by both sides.
Verdict: Based on the evidence presented, the judge or jury will render a decision. If the court rules in your favor, the defendant (the insurance company) will be ordered to pay compensation determined by the facts of the case.

If you disagree with the verdict, you can file an appeal. However, you must prove that a significant legal error occurred to get the verdict overturned. In most instances, personal injury cases are settled out of court, allowing both sides to avoid the expense and time-consuming litigation.

Working with the Insurance Company During Legal Proceedings

If your case proceeds to litigation, it is best to allow your lawyer to interact with the insurance company. Insurance providers and their adjusters often employ high-pressure tactics to persuade injured victims to settle for less than their claims are worth.

One of the most significant risks of dealing with the insurance provider without legal representation is inadvertently making a statement that could jeopardize your case. Retaining a personal injury lawyer to represent your interests is the most effective way to protect your case and avoid costly mistakes. An injury lawyer is familiar with the tactics insurance companies use and will ensure that your rights are protected.

How Can I Maximize My Settlement Potential?

If you are seeking financial compensation, there are specific steps that you can take to maximize your personal injury settlement. These steps include:

Documenting your lost wages: Keep a detailed record of all your missed work days. Documentation may include your pay stubs, bank records, and tax returns.
Provide documentation that proves diminished earning capacity: If you cannot perform the same type of work you did before you were injured, you will need to provide medical documentation along with testimony, a job skills assessment, and employment history that substantiates your claim.
Provide evidence of pain and suffering: Medical records, witness testimony, and medical treatment history can verify your intangible losses.

Should You Settle or Go to Trial?

When you are trying to recover compensation, there will come a time when you have to decide whether to take the insurance company’s settlement offer or go to trial. One of the benefits of accepting an out-of-court settlement is that there is no uncertainty as to what compensation you will receive. Once you agree to settle, you can focus on resuming your life and avoid the time and expense of litigation. Nevertheless, once you sign the final paperwork, your claim will be closed, and you will not be able to pursue future compensation.

If the insurance company is unwilling to negotiate and offer what the claim is worth, it is best to go to trial. However, there are risks for both sides when taking a case to court. An experienced lawyer will help you to weigh those risks.

Call Our St. John’s Personal Injury Lawyers Today!

NOVA Injury Law is a law firm dedicated to helping personal injury victims recover maximum compensation. Our St. John’s personal injury lawyers have comprehensive experience obtaining favorable client outcomes and will provide the legal representation you need to win your case. The best way to secure compensation is to hire a skilled lawyer who will ensure you are treated fairly by the insurance company. Learn why NOVA Injury Law is known as The Doctor-Lawyer Law Firm™.

No matter what type of personal injury you may be dealing with, our experienced lawyers are ready to help. Contact our law firm today at 1-800-262-8104 to schedule a free consultation, and let us start the process of helping you move forward.