How To Select An Attorney In A Spinal Cord Injury Case
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If you have sustained a spinal cord injury due to the fault of someone else, you will absolutely need an attorney.You must make an extremely important decision about something you know little or nothing about in deciding which attorney you want to represent you.
How will all this be paid for? Who should I hire? These are important questions this blog is intended to help answer.
Most people don't have the money to pay for an electric wheelchair much less, accessible housing, vehicle adaptation, medical supplies, and personal nursing.
Even with the help of government services, some people with spinal cord injuries may have to get along without a lot of the financial, social, medical, and rehabilitation supports they really need.
Most attorneys work on a contingent fee which does not require the injured person to spendmoney that is needed for medical care. A contingent fee means the attorney only gets paid if a recovery is made. At the time of recovery, the attorney takes a percentage of the recovery, usually one third of the amount recovered unless your case is extremely complicated. In cases of medical negligence cases or extremely complex cases, the fee is usually higher due to the risk involved in taking the case.
A lawsuit brought by a competent attorney may be your only hope to become financially independent. This prospect may seem daunting. This blogoffers some practical suggestions to help you chose wisely.
The National Spinal Cord Injury Association suggests, "Before you consider hiring an attorney, you should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of filing a lawsuit. You should consider the emotional and psychological price to be paid by all persons potentially involved. Civil litigation is typically time-consuming and emotionally-draining. It often takes years for a lawsuit to reach a conclusion." Even with these problems ahead, the best route is to consult an attorney and let the attorney discuss these hurdles with you.
The NSCIA web site also says, "Finding a good attorney is similar to hiring any other professional. You will ultimately want to hire an attorney who specializes in complex personal injury law generally and spinal cord injuries specifically. Word of mouth is perhaps as reliable a method as any."
The web site of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association gives several good questions to ask the attorneys you interview:
Do I have a case worth pursuing? What are my case's strengths and weaknesses?
Do I need the services of an attorney in order to assert my rights?
What is your legal experience in this field?
How many cases like mine have you handled? What were the results?
When did you graduate from law school? Have you received any professional honors?
Have you ever been cited by an ethics committee or sued for malpractice?
Will you personally be working on my case or will you delegate responsibility to others?
How long do you expect this matter to take?
Are there any pending deadlines which are important to preserve my claims?
How will you keep me informed as the case progresses?
Are there any alternatives to litigation? Do you suggest mediation or arbitration?
Can I help with some of the work? What additional information do you need?
What are your rates and how will this matter be billed? Do you require any retainer fee up front?
With these questions you can vet out which attorney you trust with your case. A wise decision will ensure you will by properly represented by an attorney that cares about you and your case.