Tor Hoerman has represented injured individuals for more than 30 years, with experience spanning individual personal injury cases and nationwide mass tort litigation. His work includes car accidents, catastrophic injuries, product liability claims, and other serious injury cases. Tor has served in court-appointed leadership roles in national litigation and tried cases involving major corporate defendants.
TorHoerman Law’s legal content is researched and written by our editorial team and attorneys for legal accuracy, clarity, and relevance. We rely on statutes, court records, government publications, medical research, and other authoritative sources when applicable. This page provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice.
TorHoerman Law reviews its legal content for factual accuracy, current information, and relevant legal context before publication and as material developments occur. This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance about a specific case, contact TorHoerman Law.
Question: What does a personal injury lawyer do??
Answer: A personal injury lawyer represents clients who have been injured due to the negligence of others, helping them to secure compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Personal injury lawyers handle legal documentation, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, represent clients in court to ensure their rights are protected and justice is served.
On this page, we’ll provide an overview of the question “What does a personal injury lawyer do?”, how a personal injury lawyer can help you hold a defendant liable and recover compensation, steps to seeking a personal injury settlement, and much more.
Have you sustained injuries due to someone else’s negligence?
Are you recovering from severe injuries or illnesses caused by defective products?
Perhaps you’re dealing with losing loved ones after they’ve been in a car accident or exposed to dangerous chemicals.
In all of these scenarios, help is available — and it’s in the form of legal representation and guidance provided by an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Personal injury lawyers handle various personal injury cases where the injuries of victims were due to the negligent acts of other parties.
Personal injury lawyers work to recover monetary compensation for their clients.
If you’ve sustained injuries due to the negligence of other individuals or parties, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim.
Contact us at TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.
You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a personal injury lawsuit today.
A personal injury lawyer is a legal professional specializing in representing individuals who have suffered harm or injury due to the negligence, recklessness, or misconduct of another party.
Personal injury law is a type of civil litigation that seeks compensation for injuries or wrongs resulting from various incidents, such as car accidents, medical malpractice, slip and fall accidents, and more.
Personal injury lawyers provide legal guidance and representation to help injured individuals pursue compensation for their damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
As someone who may have suffered harm due to the negligence of another, you may find yourself grappling with uncertainty regarding the legalities involved in seeking compensation for your injuries.
Personal injury lawyers can help guide you through the legal procedures associated with filing claims and negotiating with insurance companies, aiming to secure compensation that reflects how you’ve suffered.
Tasks that personal injury lawyers perform include:
It’s crucial to assess the strength and viability of your case.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help with this through a free consultation.
During free consultations, a lawyer listens to the details of your case and evaluates the circumstances surrounding your injury.
Your attorney will offer informed advice on the best course of action.
An initial consultation allows you to gain clarity on your legal options, free from any financial obligations.
Having sufficient evidence is vital to the strength of personal injury claims.
Knowing this, your personal injury lawyer will help with the task of gathering evidence to bolster your case.
Once your lawyer takes your case, your attorney will perform the following evidence-gathering tasks:
Your personal injury attorney sees to it that every piece of evidence bolsters your personal injury claim.
In complex personal injury cases, the input of subject matter experts can bolster the case’s credibility.
Personal injury lawyers recognize this and often collaborate with a number of experts, including medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists.
Experts and hired professionals will work to validate the severity of your injuries and provide testimony that can serve as the foundation of your case.
The insights of experts can serve as compelling evidence in negotiations or court proceedings.
Handling and submitting mass amounts of official documentation is inevitable in personal injury lawsuit claims.
With numerous documents necessary to file your claim, you may not be able to keep up with them all.
A personal injury lawyer shoulders the responsibility of preparing and filing legal documents essential for initiating and progressing your lawsuit or negotiations.
From creating the initial complaint to responding to motions and discovery requests, your lawyer will make sure that every document is carefully drafted and filed, ensuring compliance with legal mandates.
The goal of any personal injury claim is to recover monetary compensation.
In Illinois and Missouri, you won’t be claiming a settlement from the negligent party who caused your injuries.
Rather, you’ll have to deal with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
The at-fault party’s insurance company is responsible for the settlement payout.
Because insurers want to save money, there will be two likely outcomes — it’s either the insurance company refuses to pay you or will offer you a lowball settlement that barely compensates you for your injuries.
To avoid both of these situations, you’ll need a personal injury lawyer to deal with the company and responsible parties on your behalf.
Your attorney can handle settlement discussions with insurance adjusters and advocate for your best interests.
Your lawyer does this to secure a fair and just resolution that adequately compensates you for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.
Statutes of limitations are essentially time limits for filing personal injury claims.
In other words, you can only file your personal injury claim within these time limits.
The statute of limitations for most personal injury cases varies from state to state.
The statute of limitations in Illinois is two years while it’s five years in Missouri.
To preserve rights to claim compensation, personal injury attorneys will work to ensure that cases are filed within these timeframes.
Attorneys work to make sure that you get fairly compensated for your injuries and losses.
Your attorney will factor in various elements when calculating damages, ranging from your medical expenses to lost wages and property damages.
Other damages, such as pain and suffering, may also be added to to your list of damages if you were in deep physical pain due to the accident.
Personal injury law encompasses numerous types of cases involving an injured person and responsible parties.
At TorHoerman Law, we handle numerous forms of personal injury cases.
Here’s a deeper look into the different types of cases our personal injury law firm handles.
Car accidents are among the most common causes of personal injury claims.
Whether due to reckless driving, distracted driving, or other forms of negligence, these incidents can result in severe injuries and financial losses for victims.
Our personal injury lawyers assist individuals injured in car accidents in seeking compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Elderly individuals residing in nursing homes may suffer mistreatment or neglect, leading to physical injuries, emotional distress, or financial exploitation.
Personal injury lawyers advocate for the rights of elderly residents and their families, seeking accountability from negligent facilities and pursuing compensation for damages incurred due to abuse or neglect through Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits.
Slip and fall accidents can occur on public or private property due to hazards such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, or inadequate lighting.
These incidents often result in injuries ranging from bruises and fractures to head injuries and spinal cord damage.
Personal injury lawyers help victims determine liability and pursue compensation from property owners or managers for their injuries and related expenses.
Employees may sustain injuries in the workplace due to unsafe working conditions, inadequate training, or employer negligence.
These injuries are most common in physically demanding industries like the construction industry.
Personal injury lawyers help workplace injury victims in workers’ compensation claims or pursuing third-party liability claims against negligent parties, such as contractors or equipment manufacturers, to recover damages for medical bills, lost income, and disability.
Defective or unsafe products can cause injuries or illnesses to consumers, ranging from pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices to household appliances and children’s toys.
Personal injury lawyers represent individuals harmed by defective products, holding manufacturers, distributors, or retailers accountable for their negligence and seeking compensation for injuries, financial losses, and emotional distress.
Whether you’re from Illinois or Missouri or elsewhere in the United States, you’ll come across many personal injury law firms.
With many personal injury lawyers to choose from, you might find yourself paralyzed by the abundance of options.
How do you find the right personal injury attorney for you?
Some tips include:
You must also verify the credentials of potential lawyers.
Ensure they are licensed to practice in your state and have a good standing with the state bar association.
Consider their experience level, how many years they have been practicing personal injury law, and their track record of successful case outcomes.
A lawyer with extensive experience is more likely to be able to handle complex cases and negotiations.
Many personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations.
Use this opportunity to meet with them to discuss your case.
During the consultation, ask about their experience with similar cases, their approach to handling your case, and their fees.
This is also a chance to gauge their communication style, professionalism, and willingness to answer your questions.
Effective communication is essential in a lawyer-client relationship.
With that in mind, choose a responsive lawyer who listens to your concerns and keeps you informed about the progress of your case.
Assess their availability and whether they have the time and resources to dedicate to your case.
A lawyer who is too busy may not be able to give your case the attention it deserves.
Understand the lawyer’s fee structure before making a decision.
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case.
Clarify the percentage they will take from your settlement or award and any additional costs you might be responsible for.
Personal injury lawyers play a vital role in helping individuals who have suffered due to the negligence of others.
They handle everything from evaluating your case and collecting evidence to representing you in court and managing the financial aspects of your claim.
By understanding the various tasks and broader responsibilities of personal injury lawyers, and by knowing how to find the right lawyer for your needs, you can navigate the complexities of your personal injury case with greater confidence and peace of mind.
At TorHoerman Law, we are dedicated to providing expert legal support and advocating for your rights to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
We’ve represented countless injury victims and have recovered settlements amounting to millions of dollars.
If you’ve sustained severe injuries due to another person’s negligence, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact us at TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.
You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a personal injury claim instantly.
Owner & Attorney - TorHoerman Law
Here, at TorHoerman Law, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Since 2009, we have successfully collected over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
TorHoerman Law represents people whose lives have been disrupted by serious injuries, unsafe products, and negligence. Our attorneys handle individual personal injury cases as well as national mass tort lawsuits involving major corporations.
Founded in 2009, our legal team brings more than 100 years of combined experience handling serious injury and complex civil litigation.
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In this case, we were able to successfully recover $20 Million for our client after they suffered a Toxic Tort Injury due to chemical exposure.
In this case, we were able to successfully recover $103.8 Million for our client after they suffered a COX-2 Inhibitors Injury.
In this case, we were able to successfully recover $4 Million for our client after they suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury while at daycare.
In this case, we were able to successfully recover $2.8 Million for our client after they suffered an injury due to a Defective Heart Device.
Here, at TorHoerman Law, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Since 2009, we have successfully collected over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
They helped my elderly uncle receive compensation for the loss of his wife who was administered a dangerous drug. He consulted with this firm because of my personal recommendation and was very pleased with the compassion, attention to detail and response he received. Definitely recommend this firm for their 5 star service.
When I wanted to join the Xarelto class action lawsuit, I chose TorrHoerman Law from a search of a dozen or so law firm websites. I was impressed with the clarity of the information they presented. I gave them a call, and was again impressed, this time with the quality of our interactions.
TorHoerman Law is an awesome firm to represent anyone that has been involved in a case that someone has stated that it's too difficult to win. The entire firm makes you feel like you’re part of the family, Tor, Eric, Jake, Kristie, Chad, Tyler, Kathy and Steven are the best at what they do.
TorHorman Law is awesome
I can’t say enough how grateful I was to have TorHoerman Law help with my case. Jacob Plattenberger is very knowledgeable and an amazing lawyer. Jillian Pileczka was so patient and kind, helping me with questions that would come up. Even making sure my special needs were taken care of for meetings.
TorHoerman Law fights for justice with their hardworking and dedicated staff. Not only do they help their clients achieve positive outcomes, but they are also generous and important pillars of the community with their outreach and local support. Thank you THL!
Hands down one of the greatest group of people I had the pleasure of dealing with!
A very kind and professional staff.
Very positive experience. Would recommend them to anyone.
A very respectful firm.