Tips for Choosing a Personal Injury Attorney
Oct. 16, 2017
When you or a family member suffers a serious injury due to another’s carelessness, it is important to retain a qualified, experienced and aggressive personal injury attorney. While I know that money can neither turn back time nor ever fully compensate serious injury victims, fair and just awards of compensation can help the victims heal and rebuild their lives. While cases vary greatly, damages may include the cost of past and future medical treatment, lost wages, compensation for pain and suffering and loss of life enjoyment.
Choosing a personal injury attorney
No two serious injury cases are exactly alike, and the right choice of personal injury attorney can make a significant difference in outcomes. At the same time, the experience of most accident victims in selecting an attorney is limited to finding somebody to handle a more routine matter, such as drafting a will or purchasing a home.
Plaintiffs should not be reluctant to interview more than one lawyer. Here are a few things to consider:
Experience
There are many types of personal injury cases such as medical malpractice, slip and fall incidents, and auto accidents. It may seem obvious, but an injury victim should ensure that the attorney he or she retains has experience in handling their specific type of case.
Which attorney will handle the case
In many law firms with numerous attorneys, the day-to-day work associated with a lawsuit is typically assigned to a more junior associate or even a paraprofessional. While adequate support staff is important and every case involves routine tasks that less experienced firm personnel can competently handle, it is important to get an assurance that the lawyer chosen by the client will remain actively involved up to and including settlement negotiations or trial.
Legal fees and expenses
Most personal injury cases are handled on a “contingent fee” basis, which means that no legal fees are owed unless a judgment or settlement is obtained. At that point, your lawyer will retain a percentage of the award or settlement amount as his or her fee. Contingent fee percentages are ordinarily negotiable but are typically 25 percent up to 40 percent.
You should be aware that, in many instances, the client agrees to be responsible for out-of-pocket costs, such as duplication or expert witness fees, regardless of the result. My firm has represented many people in the Pittsburgh area who have been seriously injured as a result of many types of misconduct, including:
Medical malpractice
Wrongful death
Dangerous products
Motor vehicle accidents
Work-related injuries
If you are like most people, you may not know where to turn after a serious accident. If you are searching for a personal injury attorney in Pittsburgh, I urge you to give me a call and let me review your case. I will try to answer any questions you may have and help put your mind at ease. I am uniquely qualified to provide you and your family with the aggressive representation you need. I will fight to get the maximum recovery possible under the law.
NOTE: This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.