Brantford Personal Injury Lawyer

People are injured every day in Ontario. In Brantford, accidents along the Grand River, car crashes on the streets, workplace injuries, and falls on the rail and bike trails in the city lead to long-term pain and changes to your ability to make a living. Even with OHIP or employer benefits, many individuals underestimate how expensive and life-changing a serious injury can be.

I started my law firm, Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law, because I have seen how much injuries impact individuals and their families. I wanted to help, so I work with my law firm to represent individuals who have been injured. I may be able to help you file a personal injury claim and may be able to help you if you have been denied disability benefits.

If you have been injured in the Brantford area, contact my law office before you sign any paperwork or make any statements. Let’s discuss ways you can get fair compensation and benefits.

Understanding Personal Injury Law in Brantford

Personal injury law in Ontario is designed to protect individuals who have been harmed due to the negligence or intentional and wrongful actions of others. In Brantford, personal injury claims can occur as a result of vehicle accidents, slip and falls, workplace injuries, and more.​ If you have been harmed and someone else’s actions caused your injuries, you may have a claim and you may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault party or their insurance company.

In Ontario, personal injury law is meant to address the long-term impacts of a serious injury. Ontario law allows you to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs related to your injury.

While you may have the right to compensation, however, ​the legal process can be challenging. Insurance companies are financially motivated to minimize payouts, and the process of filing a claim involves paperwork, deadlines, and processes you may not be familiar with. Most people find that working with a Brantford personal injury lawyer allows them to pursue compensation without the stress of tackling the legal process alone.

Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

A Brantford personal injury lawyer makes sure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. After an injury, you may find that insurance companies are eager to make you an offer quickly, but without a lawyer you may not know whether an offer is fair. In addition, insurance companies may want you to make statements or sign paperwork. Doing so without a lawyer representing you can mean you end up making an error that results in you getting less compensation than you should.

Your lawyer handles negotiations with insurance companies, gather essential evidence, and build a case on your behalf. Their expertise can significantly increase the likelihood of a favorable settlement or verdict.​

Crucially, working with a lawyer means that someone is taking care of all the details of your claim for you, which allows you to focus on what truly matters—your health and well-being. You have peace of mind knowing that your case is in capable hands, which removes some of the stress from your shoulders.

Choosing the Right Lawyer

Selecting the right Brantford personal injury lawyer is a key decision, and there’s a lot at stake. The right lawyer will help you secure fair compensation and will reduce some of the stress you may feel after a serious car accident, bike accident, or other injury. To ensure you make the right choice of lawyer, consider the following factors:

• Specialization. Seek out a lawyer who specializes in personal injury law. Specialists possess in-depth knowledge and experience in handling cases similar to yours, increasing the likelihood of a favorable outcome. ​Larger firms may handle wills, contracts, real estate, and more, but a specialized law firm will have dedicated resources and will be able to give full attention to your claim.
• Experience. Look for a lawyer who has had experience with cases similar to yours. A lawyer familiar with the specifics of your type of injury will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of your case. For example, if you have been in a truck accident, a local lawyer who has handled similar cases will likely know local insurers and truck companies as well as the types of injuries that may be typical in these cases.
• Successful outcomes. A history of favorable settlements and verdicts can show the lawyer’s capability. Always look for someone who is willing to go to trial and to negotiate. This shows a lawyer who has the experience to handle your case, regardless of whether an insurer is willing to negotiate.
• Transparency. Discuss the lawyer’s fee structure and approach to your case upfront. Look for a lawyer who is honest about what is and isn’t possible in your case and who is clear about legal costs. You don’t want surprises later on.
• Communication. Choose a lawyer who communicates clearly and is accessible. You should feel comfortable with your lawyer and should stay informed about the progress of your case so you can make timely decisions. ​
• Attention. Avoid firms where your case might be handed off to a junior associate; instead, select a lawyer who will handle your case personally. ​Your claim can affect your life for years, so you want someone who takes steps to ensure that you get personalized attention.
• Local focus. Choose a lawyer familiar with the local courts, judges, and opposing counsel in Brantford. This can provide a strategic advantage in your case.​

There’s a lot at stake with your decision. The right lawyer will bring you peace of mind and can improve the chances of a favorable outcome. The wrong personal injury lawyer can mean you end up with less compensation than you need, leaving you struggling financially.

At Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law, we offer a free consultation if you’ve been injured, so you can get to know us with no cost and no pressure. Should you find yourself injured in Brantford or the surrounding area, contact us to find out what working with us will be like.

The Legal Process

The legal process of filing a personal injury claim in Ontario begins with a consultation with a personal injury lawyer. During this meeting, you’ll discuss the circumstances of your injury, and the lawyer will assess the viability of your case. This is also an opportunity to establish a working relationship and understand the lawyer’s approach to handling your case.​

Once you decide to proceed with a claim, your lawyer will initiate a thorough investigation. This includes gathering medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and any other relevant documents. The goal is to build a comprehensive understanding of the incident, find all at-fault parties, gather evidence, and evaluate the impact of the injuries on your life.

Your lawyer can also help you understand your accident benefits if you’ve been in a car accident. Our law firm can also help if you have been denied short-term or long-term disability benefits.

If the investigation supports your case, your lawyer will file a Statement of Claim in the appropriate court. This document outlines the details of the incident, the injuries sustained, and the compensation sought. Your lawyer will make sure the claim is filed within the statutory limitation period to protect your right to sue.​

After the Statement of Claim is filed, the defendant has a specified period to respond. Both parties are then required to exchange relevant documents and information. This phase may also include written questions, document production, and oral examinations. This phase ensures transparency and allows each side to clarify the issues in dispute and assess the strengths and weaknesses of each side’s case.​

Throughout the claims process, your lawyer will engage in negotiations with the opposing party to reach a fair settlement. Many personal injury cases are resolved at this stage, avoiding the need for a trial. In a settlement, you accept a certain amount of money and both you and the defendant walk away, with no further action needed. The challenge is that the settlement should be fair and should cover as much of your injury costs as possible. If you accept a settlement, you will not be able to go back and file your claim against the defendant again.

If you get any settlement offers, your lawyer will review the offer and will advise you on whether it is in your best interest.​ You will ultimately decide whether to accept the offer.

If a settlement isn’t reached, a pre-trial conference may be scheduled. This is a meeting between the parties and a judge to discuss the case and explore possibilities for settlement. In some cases, mediation is also part of the process, where a third party reviews the claim and seeks to get all parties to reach a settlement.

If the case proceeds to trial, both parties will present their evidence and arguments before a judge or, more rarely, a judge and jury. Witnesses may be called to testify, and both sides will have the opportunity to cross-examine. After all evidence is presented, the judge or jury will render a verdict.​

Following the trial, there may be post-trial motions or appeals if either party decides there was an error. If you have been awarded a settlement or verdict, your lawyer will help you secure the funds. At this stage, your lawyer will get paid for their work and you will receive the rest of the funds for your own use.

Determining Fault and Compensation

In Ontario, establishing fault usually happens early in a personal injury case because it is the at-fault parties who are pursued for compensation. Your lawyer will investigate the circumstances surrounding your injury to prove who caused the accident and injuries.

In some cases, there are multiple at-fault parties. For example, in a motorcycle accident, there may be an at-fault driver, but a defective motorcycle part or poor road conditions may have also played a role. Your lawyer will find all negligent parties and assign the right degree of fault to each so you can pursue your claim.

Once fault is established, the next step is assessing the compensation you’re entitled to. This includes not only medical expenses not covered by OHIP, but also lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. It also means placing a dollar amount on less tangible impacts of your injury—such as the trauma you have suffered.

A personal injury lawyer knows how to correctly find at-fault parties and how to accurately estimate the total costs of your injury. This allows you to seek fair compensation, so you can pay for the many costs of your injury and so that you have the resources you need as you start rebuilding your life.

Our Expertise and Why You Should Choose Derek Wilson

I have over 30 years of experience in personal injury law, and I founded my eponymous law firm, Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law because I have seen both sides of insurance litigation. Early in my career, I was a partner at a Toronto law firm, where I represented insurance companies. After seeing how insurers worked to deny and minimize claims, I dedicated my life to helping those who have been injured. My background allows me to anticipate and counter the strategies employed by insurance companies, ensuring that your interests are protected.​

At Derek Wilson Personal Injury Law, I personally oversee each case. I have chosen to keep my law firm small, to ensure that you get personalized attention. My law firm also focuses exclusively on personal injury claims and on helping people who have been denied their long-term and short-term disability benefits.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured and are uncertain about your legal options, contact Derek Wilson Personal Injury Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Whether you’re in Brantford or the surrounding areas, our law firm is here to help.