Checklist Checklist

Tag: Personal Injury Lawyers

  • 2. Personal Injury Lawyers. 25 Buyer-Beware Intelligence Points

    • Not every personal-injury firm specializes in your type of injury.
    • Advertising volume isn’t the same as litigation experience.
    • Ask who personally handles the case.
    • Determine whether the firm actually goes to trial.
    • Understand the contingency percentage.
    • Find out whether the percentage changes after litigation begins.
    • Ask which expenses are deducted from the recovery.
    • Medical liens can reduce your net recovery.
    • Health-insurance reimbursement can complicate settlement.
    • Workers’ compensation may create competing interests.
    • Insurance limits can constrain recovery.
    • Multiple defendants may create different strategies.
    • Evidence should be preserved early.
    • Social-media activity can become relevant.
    • Medical documentation is critical.
    • Gaps in treatment can become an issue.
    • Settlement offers aren’t necessarily equivalent to case value.
    • Ask how damages will be calculated.
    • Future medical costs may require expert analysis.
    • Lost earning capacity differs from immediate lost wages.
    • Pain-and-suffering valuation isn’t a simple formula.
    • Tax treatment can vary depending on the recovery.
    • Ask how long comparable cases typically take.
    • Beware promises of a specific settlement amount.
    • Biggest mistake: assuming the lawyer promising the largest settlement is necessarily the best lawyer.