Personal Injury Law in Idaho: Protecting the Poor

Poor individuals in the U.S. face many barriers to justice. It has been well-documented that public defenders are often overworked and that the poor may not receive the representation that they deserve. The Nation recently reported on the underrepresentation of the poor in civil cases. For instance, unlike criminal cases, individuals do not have the right to receive a court-appointed attorney in civil cases. This means that in many serious legal cases—whether it’s divorce or eviction—the poor may not have access to legal counsel.

Yet, financial worries may turn many poorer individuals away from seeking the assistance of an attorney in a personal injury or wrongful death case in Boise or Nampa, Idaho. However, in Idaho, attorneys like the Law Office of Johnson & Lundgreen work for a contingency fee. This means that the attorney only gets paid if he or she wins your case. The money comes out of the recovery you receive. This means that poorer individuals may actually have greater access to legal services than they think.

If you have been a victim of a car accident or lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence, you may be facing a range of difficult challenges. Medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation costs can be incredibly burdensome. Yet, under Idaho law, you have a right to seek a recovery from negligent parties to cover these expenses.

Despite these legal protections, there are other ways that the poor are discouraged from seeking representation. According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, families of police shooting victims were sometimes told that they couldn’t win against the police force. Individuals are sometimes intimidated by the idea of pursuing government entities in court for wrongful death or personal injury recoveries. Some lawyers are also reluctant to pursue these cases, as they can involve additional challenges. The government and its employees are often given immunity with few notable exceptions.

Yet, with recent police violence in the news, many are calling for police departments and officials to be held accountable for their actions. Victims have a right to seek justice if the system fails them. According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, fewer than 10 percent of police shootings result in lawsuits.  In many of these cases, the victim was not holding a weapon.

Winning a settlement against the police department can be challenging, but there have been many more cases in recent years where families were victorious. These cases not only hold public servants accountable for their actions, but they also make sure families are compensated for the immense loses they face. Nothing can bring a lost loved one back, but money can help cover the loss of a family’s main source of income, or pay for medical care.

If you’ve been hurt due to another person’s negligence, or if you have lost a loved one due to another person’s neglect, you may be entitled to receive a recovery under the law. The Law Office of Johnson & Lundgreen are personal injury lawyers in Boise and Nampa, Idaho. Protect your rights and seek justice. Contact us today.