FAQs-General information

What do you mean by "personal injury"? What sorts of cases does this include?

"Personal injury" is a broad term that means any kind of accident or occurrence that leads to bodily injury. Here are some examples:

-car and truck accidents

-medical malpractice

-products liability (injury from a defective product),

-injury from defective medicines (e.g., Vioxx, Rezulin, Baycol)

-wrongful death cases

-airplane crashes

-FELA cases for railroad workers

How much is my case worth, and will you guarantee success?

The "value" of your case depends on many factors, such as the extent of your injury, the amount of your medical bills, and your condition after you have finished treating. The calculation also involves the ability of the other party to pay a judgment, and whether you played any role in causing the accident.

My insurance agent says I can handle the case myself without a lawyer. Is this a good idea?

Since a consultation is free, it won't hurt to ask us if we think we can help. Having practiced law for many years, we have a bias against insurance companies and what they might tell you. This bias is based on our knowledge that no matter how nice insurance adjusters sound on the phone, they have one goal in mind above all others--to pay you as little as possible.

Insurance companies do not work for you. They rarely help you figure out your legal rights, and may not fully understand them. They rarely give you a fair assessment of the value of your case.

If your injuries are significant, there are several reasons why a good lawyer can help you. When you hire a lawyer who is willing to take a case to trial, value is added to your case in a number of ways. A good lawyer will seek every category of damages that applies to your case, and find ways to support those damages with evidence that will be admissible in court.

The threat of trial itself adds to your bargaining power. Make no mistake: the insurance company knows that it's almost impossible to take a case to trial on your own.

Will I end up at trial?

Only about 25% of all personal injury cases end in a court; most will settle.

How is negligence determined?

Negligence does not simply mean doing something wrong. All of the following elements must exist for an act to be considered negligent:

a. Lack of reasonable care
b. Breach of duty
c. Injury to the victim
d. Forseeability (knowing an act would occur based on the circumstances)
e. Damages

We are happy to hear your case. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us to set up a free consultation.