How To Protect Yourself Legally In Everyday Life

For years, we’ve been led to believe that we need a lawyer to take care of every small legal detail, and while this can be somewhat true, you still need a basic understanding of the law to be better able to protect your rights. In fact, it is essential to, at the very least, be aware of the laws that have a direct effect on your life. With just a bit of research, even the average Joe can know more about the everyday applications of the law. By checking the following points, you can understand how you can legally protect yourself in your day-to-day life.

File a Claim for Personal Injuries

There is a big difference between unfortunate accidents that we cannot control and the ones that take place due to someone’s negligence. If you find yourself a victim of another party’s negligence, then you need to take appropriate action to ensure your full rights. Car accidents, in particular, are one of the leading causes of personal injuries in Canada. In case the party at fault has an ICBC auto insurance, the skilled ICBC car accident lawyers in Vancouver recommend that you file for a claim right away to get your due compensation. Filing for a claim can help you get enough money to cover your medical bills and any lost wages.

Personal injury cases do not include auto accidents only, they also cover slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, and building owners who knowingly misrepresent themselves. For example, if you get severely injured on someone else’s property, the property owner is obliged to cover your treatment since they have not taken enough precautions to ensure that their property is devoid of any hazards. Similarly, medical malpractice that leads to further health complications puts the responsible healthcare providers on the wrong side of the law. If this happens to you, you have the right to sue the hospital and get reimbursed.

Ensure a Positive Work Environment

More often than not, employees settle for less because it has become harder to find a decent job. However, this mentality is what allows business owners to exploit workers and increase their own gains. According to the law, employers are required to create a positive work environment devoid of inequality, harassment, and discrimination. So, if you are being mistreated by your boss based on your ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, you have the right to file a report of the incident. 

Depending on where you live, there should be laws specifying the minimum acceptable wage employers can pay their workers. In case you find that your employer is ignoring your country’s minimum wage, then you should notify the authorities of this transgression. Lastly, the law can also protect you from any verbal or physical harassment in your workplace, meaning that any incident where you feel violated by your supervisors or coworkers should be reported to let the management take the necessary disciplinary action.

Furthermore, any injuries you sustain while carrying out your work duties should be reported immediately. Workers’ compensation is one of the many legal safety nets that employees have. It helps you cover your medical bills and reimburse you for any loss of monetary support. Additionally, it can protect you from retaliation, enabling you to get back to your job once you recover.

Eliminate Tenancy Problems

Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, you cannot deny that renting can involve a lot of problems. Nonetheless, most of these issues can be solved with some knowledge of the law. As a landlord, you are required to ensure that your property is fit for use and is clear of any health hazards. You are also responsible for fixing any utility problems your tenants are facing and cannot forcibly evict them as long as the contract is still valid. On the other hand, tenants have to adhere to the terms of the contract by paying the rent on time and keeping the property in its original state. You can file a lawsuit if your tenants damage your property or refuse to evacuate after defaulting on paying the rent. As a tenant, you can bring legal action against your landlord in case they violate your privacy or try to forcibly evict you despite your adherence to the terms of the contract.

It is always a good idea to check a tenant’s background first. Inquire about previous work histories and criminal records, such as if the potential tenant had a history of theft, forgery, or other violations. Keep in mind that you can only deny a tenant if they have committed a felony or if they knowingly misrepresent themselves. 

Lawmakers take everyday problems into consideration when issuing new laws. So, it is important to do your homework and understand how you can legally protect your rights. Whether you have sustained an injury, faced discrimination at work, or had problems dealing with bad tenants or an overbearing landlord, you can leverage the law to your advantage. When in doubt, consult a specialized lawyer, they will help you navigate legal matters more easily.