A person’s physical, mental, and financial health can all take a major hit after suffering a catastrophic injury. Hiring an lawyer who can assist you in obtaining the financial compensation to which you are entitled is essential if you have suffered a catastrophic injury due to the negligence of another.
Yet, if you’ve never hired a lawyer before, finding the correct catastrophic injury attorney can feel like an overwhelming undertaking. To assist you choose an attorney who will fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve after a catastrophic injury, this article will go over things to look for in a catastrophic injury attorney.
Catastrophic Injury and Why You Need the Proper Lawyer
A catastrophic injury is one that is both severe and long-lasting, and as a result, the patient is left with a disability that is either permanent or significantly limits their bodily functioning.
These kinds of injuries frequently lead to a major decline in one’s quality of life, necessitate the provision of medical care over an extended period of time, and prevent the wounded person from participating in activities that they once found enjoyable.
Traumatic brain injuries, injury to the spinal cord, severe burns, amputations, and organ damage are all examples of catastrophic injuries. In many instances, catastrophic injuries lead to lifetime emotional anguish, financial hardship in the form of lost wages, and further medical costs.
Also See: Slip and Fall Accident Leads to Big Win: A Guide to Filing a Lawsuit
Reasons to Hire a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
There are many reasons why picking the appropriate lawyer to represent you in a catastrophic injury lawsuit is so important:
Expertise and Experience
It requires a qualified and experienced lawyer to help someone through the legal procedure after a catastrophic injury and get them the recompense they deserve. A lawyer who has handled similar cases in the past would have a better grasp of the medical and legal nuances at play, increasing the likelihood of a successful resolution.
Resources
There is usually a lot of money involved in investigating and litigating catastrophic damage cases. An accomplished attorney working for a prestigious firm will have access to more resources, allowing them to retain credible experts, perform exhaustive research, and construct a compelling case.
Compassion
Experiencing a catastrophic injury can be a traumatic experience on many levels. A skilled lawyer will have empathy and recognize the devastating impact a catastrophic injury can have on a client and their loved ones.
Maximizing Compensation
The costs associated with treating a catastrophic injury, as well as any missed income or future medical costs, can be extremely costly. To guarantee that your future medical and financial requirements are addressed, it is important to work with an attorney who has experience in personal injury cases.
What to Look for in a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
An experienced catastrophic injury lawyer can help you through the legal process and get you the compensation you deserve after a serious accident that has changed your life forever. If you need a lawyer for a severe injury, consider these ten traits essential for representation:
1. Skilled in handling cases involving severe injuries
Looking for a lawyer who has handled similar cases in the past is crucial when dealing with catastrophic injuries. Consider hiring a lawyer who has experience with cases like yours.
Hiring an lawyer who has the experience and knowledge to handle your case is crucial if you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury.
2. Medical and legal knowledge of catastrophic injuries
Cases involving catastrophic injury can have intricate legal and medical questions. Choose a lawyer who is well-versed in the medical and legal considerations that arise from severe injuries. With this information in hand, your lawyer will be better able to argue your case and negotiate with insurance companies and other parties.
3. Access to resources and experts
Experts in many different professions, including medicine, rehabilitation, economics, and more, are frequently called upon in catastrophic injury cases. Choose a lawyer who has connections to these groups so that your case can be bolstered if necessary.
4. Proven track record of success
Choose a lawyer who has experience winning cases involving severe injuries. Verify the outcomes of past cases on their website and consult with past customers for references. A lawyer with a track record of winning cases is more likely to do well for you.
5. Compassion and empathy towards clients
Clients and their families often find themselves emotionally drained after suffering a catastrophic injury. Choose a lawyer who cares about their clients and treats them with respect and kindness. When a lawyer takes the time to get to know their client on a personal level, they can better defend their client’s best interests in court.
6. Client communication and responsiveness
Cases with severe injuries require clear and concise communication more than anything else. Choose an attorney that listens to you and updates you regularly on the status of your case. If your legal counsel is good at communicating, they may be able to ease your mind at this trying time.
7. Effectively negotiate and litigate for clients
Choose a lawyer who can represent your interests in both negotiations and courtroom battles. Insurance companies may try to lowball you on a settlement in a catastrophic injury lawsuit because they know how much money is at stake. Hiring a lawyer with experience in negotiations and litigation can help you get the money you’re owed.
8. Willingness to work for a contingency fee
Clients may not be able to afford up-front legal fees in catastrophic injury claims. Choose a lawyer that is willing to take your case on a contingency fee basis, where they will only be paid if you do. Using this plan, customers can get the legal help they need without having to pay anything up front.
Questions to Ask a Potential Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
- How many catastrophic injury cases have you handled?
- What is your success rate in these cases?
- Do you have experience with my type of injury?
- Who will be handling my case?
- What resources and experts will you utilize in my case?
- How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
- What are the potential outcomes of my case?
Warning Signs to Look for When Selecting a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
1. Lack of experience or expertise
It is important to find a catastrophic injury lawyer who has experience with cases like yours. You may not get the best representation possible from a lawyer if they have little to no experience with catastrophic injury cases.
They might not know their way around the legal system, how to negotiate with insurance companies, or how to build a strong case to present in court.
2. Guaranteeing or overpromising a certain result
In other words, you shouldn’t expect your lawyer to promise you anything. There are no guarantees in the legal system because every case is different. A lawyer who guarantees you a specific result is less interested in giving you honest and realistic legal advice and more interested in winning your business.
3. Lack of communication or unresponsiveness
When looking for an attorney, it’s important to find one who is easy to get in touch with and who provides timely responses. It is frustrating and potentially indicative of a lawyer’s lack of interest in your case if they do not respond to your calls or emails promptly.
4. Refusal to provide references or client testimonials
On request, a competent attorney should gladly supply names of previous clients as references. A red flag that a lawyer does not have a strong track record of success or satisfied clients is if they refuse to provide this information.
5. Undisclosing fees or billing practices
Before selecting a lawyer, it’s crucial to get a thorough grasp of their rates and how they bill their clients. Misunderstandings or disagreements might develop if a lawyer is not forthright about their costs and billing procedures.
6. Unwillingness to take the case to trial
Although most disputes are settled out of court, you should still retain a lawyer who is prepared to go to trial for you. If your attorney is unwilling to take your case to trial, it could be a red flag that they are more interested in a quick settlement than in protecting your interests.
7. Poor reputation or disciplinary history
Do your homework and look into a lawyer’s reputation and disciplinary history before hiring them. A red flag should go up if you find out your prospective attorney has a poor reputation or has been punished by the state bar.