Know Your Rights

Insurance companies are not your friends—even your own insurance company. If you have been seriously injuried, you need someone to represent your rights. In order to receive a fair and reasonable compensation for injuries, medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other problems injuries have brought on, you will end up dealing with an insurance company and their trained staff of experienced insurance company adjusters. The goal of the adjuster is to save the insurance company money—not give it to you. Adjusters often receive bonuses when they "get rid" of cases early. Adjusters do not have your interests at heart—even when you are dealing with your own insurance company.

The decision whether to obtain an attorney is solely your decision. However, it is always best to first learn your options:

• An experienced personal injury lawyer will perform an accurate analysis of
  the value of your case.
• Insurance companies almost always offer much less in settlement to someone without an attorney.
• Selection of the correct attorney is the key--not all lawyers are created
  equal in this field.
• There are many rules, requirements, and time deadlines that have to be met, and if not met can prejudice if not eliminate your claim.
• You will receive more money having an attorney represent you, even after the attorney fee is taken out, than you would ever receive by negotiating by
  yourself.

Injuries can occur to anyone at any time, and often, along with the pain and suffering that may accompany those injuries comes high medical bills, lengthy rehabilitation, lost wages, and more. Jerome A. Maeder and his associates have been representing injured people and their families throughout Wisconsin for over 40 years.

Our Commitment to Our Clients
There are three basic commitments to how we serve our clients:

Pain and Suffering Compensation

The law considers compensation for your pain, suffering, and detriment to your well being. "Pain and suffering" can also include compensation for emotional distress and mental anguish as a result of your injury.

How does the pain effect your ability to do the activities of your life that give you a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction? Perhaps you enjoy hunting or fishing, and can't now. You may want to take trips or read a book, and now find it difficult. Our experienced personal injury trial lawyers will help you assess and present these conditions so that you can receive a fair and reasonable compensation.

Medical Bills and Expenses

The law allows for compensation of past and future medical expenses for injuries caused by the negligence of another party.

Future Care Considerations

The law allows for the consideration of future expenses that you will incur and which are medically justified due to your injury. In serious injury cases, this can include the expenses in making a house, vehicle, and workplace fully accessible to you. It can also include nursing care necessary to help you live with dignity and independently of others. Future care compensation may also include the cost of medications, surgery, counseling, home and workplace modifications, retraining, and other expenses that will help you resume living your life.

Future Loss of Income and Earning Ability

The law considers compensation for wages or self-employment income which you have lost. This usually extends from the date your injury occurred until you were able to return to work. Any permanent injuries you may have suffered as the result of your injury may interfere with your ability to work and earn income--possibly for the rest of your working life. The law allows you to be compensated for your lost earning capacity. In addition, your earning ability may be hindered because opportunities which you would have been able to pursue (such as certain career choices or promotions) are delayed or compromised by the disability caused by your injury. The law allows for compensation in this as well.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages, although not very common, can be awarded in cases where the conduct of the defendant(s) are viewed as extreme and offensive. Punitive damages are not directed at compensating you, but rather punishing the defendant for particularly blameworthy conduct. It is meant to deter the defendant, and possibly others, from indulging in similar acts again.