What Does a Personal Injury Paralegal Do?

Personal injury paralegals are responsible for handling a wide range of tasks related to personal injury cases. They commonly work with attorneys, but they may also work directly with clients to help them navigate the legal process and obtain compensation for their injuries.

Paralegals in this field must have strong interpersonal skills as well as an understanding of how to apply the law to real-world situations.

Personal Injury Paralegal Job Duties

Personal injury paralegals are responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Reviewing medical records, police reports, and other documents to gather evidence that supports the client’s claim
• Scheduling client appointments with physicians and other healthcare professionals for treatment of injuries
• Interviewing witnesses and taking detailed notes about their testimony
• Contacting insurance companies on behalf of clients to obtain settlement offers for personal injuries claims
• Drafting and filing legal paperwork such as motions or responses to motions
• Communicating directly with clients and attorneys to keep them informed about the status of their case
• Researching case law, statutory law, and other relevant information related to the case at hand
• Preparing and filing legal paperwork such as summonses, complaints, answers, motions, and subpoenas
• Conducting research on legal issues pertaining to specific case types such as labor law or medical malpractice cases

Personal Injury Paralegal Salary & Outlook

Personal injury paralegals’ salaries vary depending on their level of education and experience, the size of the law firm they work for, and the geographic location of their job.

• Median Annual Salary: $62,500 ($30.05/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $121,000 ($58.17/hour)

The employment of personal injury paralegals is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

As the population grows and more people live in cities, there will be an increase in car accidents and other types of personal injuries. In addition, the aging population is expected to sustain demand for personal injury paralegals because older people are more likely to be injured.

Related: Personal Injury Paralegal Interview Questions and Answers

Personal Injury Paralegal Job Requirements

To become a personal injury paralegal, one may need to have the following:

Education: Most personal injury paralegals have at least a two-year associate’s degree in paralegal studies. Some employers prefer to hire paralegals who have a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or another related field, such as criminal justice or business administration.

Training & Experience: Most personal injury paralegals will receive on-the-job training from their new employer. This training will help the paralegal learn the specific procedures and practices of the law firm. The training may last for a few weeks or months, depending on the firm.

Certifications & Licenses: In most states, paralegals need to earn a paralegal certification and get licensed if they plan to work in the field.

Personal Injury Paralegal Skills

Personal injury paralegals need the following skills in order to be successful:

Research: A paralegal’s research skills help them find information about a client’s case. They may research laws, regulations and precedents to find information about a client’s case. They may also research insurance policies, medical records and other documents to find information about a client’s case.

Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information through a medium. As a personal injury paralegal, you may communicate with clients, insurance adjusters, medical professionals and other legal professionals. Effective communication is essential to your success as a personal injury paralegal.

Organization: As a paralegal, you may be responsible for managing a variety of files, documents and records. It’s important to keep your work area clean and organized so you can find what you need when you need it. You may also be responsible for managing your attorney’s calendar and scheduling meetings, so it’s important to be detail-oriented and able to prioritize tasks.

Time management: Time management is another important skill for personal injury paralegals to have. This is because they often have multiple tasks to complete in a day. They can use time management to prioritize their tasks and complete them in a timely manner.

Attention to detail: Attention to detail is the ability to notice small changes and make corrections. As a personal injury paralegal, you may be responsible for ensuring that all of the information in a case is accurate. This includes ensuring that all of the documents are in the correct order and that all of the information is correct.

Personal Injury Paralegal Work Environment

Personal injury paralegals work in law firms, with insurance companies, or in the legal department of a corporation. They work closely with lawyers, assisting them with research, case preparation, and trial work. Most personal injury paralegals work full time, and many work more than 40 hours per week. Some paralegals may be required to work overtime, evenings, or weekends to meet deadlines. The work can be stressful, and personal injury paralegals must be able to handle the pressure. They must also be able to work well under deadlines and have excellent research and writing skills.

Personal Injury Paralegal Trends

Here are three trends influencing how personal injury paralegals work. Personal injury paralegals will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

More Focus on the Role of the Paralegal

The role of the paralegal is becoming increasingly important in the legal field, as more and more firms are realizing the value of having a team of professionals who can handle the more basic tasks associated with personal injury claims.

As a result, paralegals will need to be prepared to take on more responsibility and become more specialized in order to stay competitive. They will also need to be able to work quickly and efficiently in order to meet the demands of their employers.

More Use of Technology

The use of technology in the legal profession is growing rapidly, and this is especially true for personal injury paralegals. As technology advances, so too does the way that lawyers and paralegals do their jobs.

For example, many law firms now use electronic case management systems to keep track of all the documents related to a case. This allows them to be more efficient and productive, which is why many paralegals are now using these same systems. In addition, many law firms are now using online collaboration tools to allow attorneys and paralegals to work together from different locations.

Greater Emphasis on Customer Service

Personal injury paralegals are increasingly being asked to provide customer service-oriented services to clients. This means that they need to be able to communicate effectively with clients and understand their needs.

In order to be successful in this field, paralegals need to be able to build trust with clients and provide them with the information they need in a timely manner. They also need to be able to manage client expectations and be honest about what can and cannot be done.

How to Become a Personal Injury Paralegal

A career as a personal injury paralegal can be both rewarding and challenging. It’s important to consider your interests and skills when planning your path, so that you can find a job that matches your personality and abilities.

If you’re interested in helping people who have been injured, then a career as a personal injury paralegal may be the right choice for you. You’ll need to have strong communication skills, be able to work under pressure, and be able to handle difficult situations. You’ll also need to be able to research case law and statutes, and understand how they apply to each individual case.

Advancement Prospects

A paralegal’s career can advance in a number of ways. Some paralegals move up within their firms, assuming greater responsibility and perhaps supervising other paralegals. Others move to larger firms, where they may handle more complex cases and have greater opportunity for client contact.

Paralegals also may move into related occupations. Some become legal assistants, working in corporate legal departments under the supervision of an attorney. Others move into other administrative support occupations, such as executive assistant or administrative coordinator. A few become notaries public, working independently to witness signatures and certify documents.

With additional education, paralegals may become lawyers. Although most states require lawyers to have a bachelor’s degree, a few states allow paralegals to take the bar examination after completing a paralegal studies program and meeting other requirements.

Personal Injury Paralegal Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we believe in fighting for the underdog and we’re looking for a paralegal with the same passion to join our team. We’re a small, but mighty, law firm specializing in personal injury cases and we need a paralegal who is organized, detail-oriented, and has excellent research and writing skills. The ideal candidate will have experience working on personal injury cases, either in a law firm or insurance company. He or she will be responsible for conducting research, drafting documents, communicating with clients, and managing case files. If you have a passion for helping others and want to work in a fast-paced, but friendly environment, then we want to hear from you.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Investigate facts and law of cases and search for evidence to support the client’s claim
• Locate and interview witnesses; take statements from clients, witnesses, and experts
• Prepare legal documents, including complaints, motions, subpoenas, and discovery requests
• Organize and maintain files; keep records of case progress and tasks completed
• Communicate with clients, witnesses, opposing counsel, and court personnel
• Conduct research on relevant laws, regulations, and judicial decisions
• Summarize depositions, interrogatories, and other discovery materials
• Assist attorney in preparing for hearings, mediations, and trials
• Manage deadlines and calendars
• Bill and collect fees and expenses
• Maintain contact lists
• Perform administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments and maintaining supplies

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent paralegal training
• 2+ years of experience as a personal injury paralegal
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with aptitude to learn new software and systems
• Solid research and writing skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a law firm
• Experience with case management software
• Familiarity with medical terminology
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)