Most personal injury claims can be settled between the two parties, but if your boss isn’t offering you a fair amount of compensation, you might have to take your case to court. A good work accident injury attorney will help you prepare for the court date by showing you what to say and how to act. Let’s go over some expressions you will need to avoid if you want to appear professional and trustworthy.
Ask a Work Accident Injury Attorney: 5 Things Not to Say in Court
1. Swearing or Threatening Language
People who have been injured due to their employer’s negligence often feel angry and stressed. But don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment and tempt you into doing something you’ll regret later on. Never lose your cool and start swearing or using threatening language because this could undermine what you are saying. In addition to the evidence, the judge and jury might take into consideration your character and integrity. To make a good impression, take a few deep breaths before you start speaking, especially if you can feel yourself getting agitated. Address everyone respectfully. Call all lawyers, even those of the opposing side, “sir” and “Mr.” or “ma’am” and “Ms.” Whenever you speak about somebody, avoid using pronouns, and say their full name instead.
2. “It Wasn’t So Bad”
At every stage of your lawsuit, the opposing side will try to get you to admit that the accident was partially your fault and that your injuries aren’t so bad. Avoid using diminutive language when speaking about what happened or how you are feeling now. There’s no need to exaggerate, but don’t try to be polite by saying that you are okay or that the situation wasn’t traumatic when, in fact, it was. Because many of us are socially conditioned to say “I am okay,” when asked about our health, this can take some practice. Ask your lawyer what you should say when you are asked about your physical or mental well-being in court. They will help you avoid phrases that could damage your case.
3. Lies In court
you and your witnesses are sworn to tell the truth. Even if you believe that embellishing your story would help your case and that you won’t be discovered, don’t be tempted to lie, and never ask your witnesses to do so on your behalf. If you break the oath you made when you were sworn in, you can be charged with perjury. This is a serious accusation that can result in steep fines, probation, and even jail time. What’s more, lying weakens your case because it shows that you aren’t a trustworthy person. As soon as one lie is discovered, everything you have said up to this point will be questioned, and you might not receive any compensation at all.
4. “I Think” or “I Guess”
Guesses are not allowed in court, so you can’t mention anything you aren’t sure about. For example, if you don’t remember whether your employer ever alerted you to a certain safety risk, you can’t say, “I think they never told me.” Instead, tell the judge and jury that you don’t remember. This can feel counter-intuitive, but it will prevent you from making a mistake that could be interpreted as perjury. Additionally, clearly stating the truth will make you appear more reliable. If you’re sure about something, don’t hesitate to say so or use weak language and gestures. Your Houston work accident injury attorney might teach you about the kind of body language that will help you look and feel more secure. They might tell you to look at the judge and jury when answering, stand up straight, and avoid crossing your arms in front of your chest.
5. Volunteering Too Much Information
It’s important to remember that anything you say can be used against you. For this reason, most experts advise you to listen closely to the questions you are being asked and answer directly and without adding any extra information. This adds to your credibility and prevents you from saying something that could affect your case. If you feel that you need to explain your answer, say so, and then explain it as succinctly as you can.
6. A Joke
The courtroom atmosphere can be heavy and challenging, but don’t try to lighten things up by making a joke. Although this might seem like a good way to reduce the tension, the courtroom isn’t the right time or place for humor. Instead, remain polite but serious at all times, and use formal language. Making a good impression in court is important because it can help you to prove that you are telling the truth. Always remain polite, avoid saying something that isn’t true, don’t guess, don’t volunteer too much information, and never make a joke. If you need more help, speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer, who can effectively prepare you for your court date
