Despite the legal profession’s less than sterling reputation outside the courtroom, their in-depth knowledge and poise can be a great source of comfort for clients during complex legal matters. But because not all law firms have the same degree of expertise or the tact and compassion to show clients in difficult times, choosing one to represent you could be the most important decision you ever make.
Lawyers and law firms tend to provide a specific set of services and expertise. Personal injury and disability law firms work in civil litigation, an area where the end goal is typically financial, or pecuniary, compensation; in contrast, a matter becomes criminal when a wrong is said to have been committed against society as a whole and incarceration can follow.
Personal injury and disability matters require an in-depth understanding of complicated legal-medical concepts; for instance to illustrate how a car accident victim’s brain trauma has negatively impacted that individual’s ability to earn an income in the future. These lawyers rely on connections and good working relationships with many different specialists in the medical community, who may be able to compile evidence or corroborate a claim.
In disability claims, a lawyer needs to understand intricate insurance matters, since insurers investigate thoroughly and cut off benefits whenever possible. Because these benefits may be needed for many years and can become large amounts, you need to be sure that your lawyer has a history of success in larger cases.
Bigger firms have huge resources at their disposal, but may not devote much time or attention to certain cases or provide personalized service; some lawyers may delegate important tasks to paralegals and associates, rather than taking them on themselves. “Boutique” law firms often have the specialized expertise, experience and financial resources to fight the most complex personal injury and wrongful death cases, while providing the personalized service most clients require – Horowitz Injury Law is one such firm.
A free introductory consultation can help you decide how best to proceed with your claim, or whether this law firm is right to represent you. It also helps a lawyer decide whether they are in a position to handle the claim. There are many different fee schedules and it’s important to get that information up front.
