Applying for Jobs with a Criminal Record: Know Your Rights
A Settlement After A Brain Injury Should Address Intangible Losses
Michelle Garrett
If your spouse has suffered a traumatic brain injury, you have learned firsthand that this type of injury can cause significant personality changes. The two of you may plan to stay married, but the situation could be difficult if your spouse is quite a bit different than the person you knew before the accident. If you have not yet accepted a financial settlement, consult a personal injury lawyer to learn how much compensation you may actually deserve.
Why a Settlement Offer May Not Be Reasonable
An insurance company's original settlement offer typically addresses tangible factors. These include medical expenses, costs for ongoing therapy and payment for lost wages. If a certain level of permanent disability has been verified by doctors, the settlement should include compensation for that as well.
However, settlement offers commonly do not include compensation for intangible aspects. Because of your spouse's personality changes, he or she may have problems:
- providing the previous level of emotional companionship you once enjoyed
- engaging in physical intimacy
- parenting your children effectively
- understanding your family's daily routines
- concentrating on tasks
- having a sense of well-being, instead feeling anxious and depressed much of the time
He or she may not even truly understand that there have been substantial personality changes due to the brain injury.
You and your spouse deserve financial compensation if you are dealing with any of these problems. In addition, if you are interested in ongoing marriage counseling, the settlement should provide money for that as well. You may feel that the two of you are at a greater risk for a divorce since the incident. Even if you are determined not to divorce, that doesn't mean your marriage will be a happy one without professional help.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Proceeds
After the lawyer evaluates your case and you decide to work together, the law firm conducts an investigation of the various factors involved and decides on a reasonable settlement to demand from the insurance company.
The attorney represents you and your spouse, and your children, if the two of you have any. All of you have suffered negative consequences because of the accident. In addition to family issues, your spouse may have lost friends and colleagues because they no longer share similar interests.
What Can You Do Now?
Contact an attorney for a free consultation. Before your appointment, make detailed notes about your spouse's personality changes and how that affects everyone concerned. Personal injury lawyers generally are paid a percentage of the settlement they obtain for their clients, meaning you won't have upfront legal fees adding to your current financial burdens.
Share
I'll be up front: I have a criminal record. As someone who's spent lots--and lots--of time looking for a job in my life, I've gotten used to being up front with this fact. It's difficult to get hired with this on my record, and frankly, it never gets less scary to have to tell an interviewer about it. But that doesn't mean I'm unemployable. I'm a hard worker who can bring a lot to any company. And I also know what an employer needs to do for me. I know my rights. There's no federal law protecting me from discrimination due to my record, but there are plenty of state laws that make it a little easier for me. If you're looking for a job and you have a criminal record, read through this information. Protect yourself during a job search. Know your rights.