Can I handle a claim on my own?
An experienced trial attorney can help protect your rights when there is a legitimate legal claim. This is particularly true with regard to insurance claims and adjusters. These individuals are aided by experienced attorneys and trained to minimize any pay out made to you. It is therefore, prudent to have an experienced attorney on your side.

What is a contingency fee?
Attorney fees are paid on a contingency basis. This means that we only receive payment for our fees in the event that we are successful in gaining compensation for you. The contingency fee is paid from the proceeds of any settlement or award, not up front. So you don't have any out-of-pocket costs starting out. Furthermore, if there is no recovery, you owe nothing.

What are case costs?
Case costs are funds the firm advances in order to put your case together. Theses costs are paid back to the firm out of any settlement or recovery. Unlike some firms, we do not charge interest on costs that we advance. If there is no recovery or settlement, you do not owe us for any funds or monies spent.

When should I seek medical attention?
Immediate medical attention is recommended if you have suffered an injury due to an accident. Even if you have had an accident and don't show any visible signs of injury, medical attention is suggested to eliminate the possibility of future effects or injury.

Should I take pictures?
You should take pictures of apparent bodily injuries such as bruises, cuts, scars, as well as auto or property damage as soon as possible.

How long will my case take?
The timeline of each individual case varies, depending on the circumstances. Before any case is settled, the full extent of your injuries and the possibility of future surgery must be thoroughly evaluated. Once your treating physician places you at MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement), we will then prepare and send out a demand to the insurance company, which begins the negotiation process and allows us to obtain a fair settlement for you.

What does Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) mean?
Maximum Medical Improvement is a way of estimating how much medical improvement you can expect. It doesn't necessarily mean that you are in pre-accident condition. It refers to the point at which future improvement is unlikely.

What Is My Case Worth?
When deciding whether to sue for an injury caused by another's carelessness, the first question people usually ask is "What is my case worth?" The answer depends on what kind of damages were caused by the other party's negligence.

Some damages that are recoverable are easy to see. If a negligent driver runs into your car and injures you, you can recover the cost of repairing or replacing your car and the cost of your medical bills related to the accident. You can also recover any lost wages because of time you missed from work due to your injuries.

Other kinds of damages are harder to see. If you have been hurt, you can usually recover something for the "pain and suffering" caused by the injury. You can also recover for things that are likely to happen in the future because of the injury you have suffered. An example would be any permanent disfigurement or any ongoing impairment caused by the injury that is serious enough to permanently affect your ability to lead your life or earn a living. If the lingering effects of your injury mean that you cannot perform the same work or play the same recreational sports you did before being injured, this ongoing loss should be compensable, even though the amount of the loss is often hard to accurately estimate.

Your spouse and family may also be entitled to recover monetary damages because of the injury you suffered. If your injury prevents you from performing the "household services" you would have otherwise done, such as cleaning the house or mowing the lawn, these losses are worth something. So are the emotional damages to your relationship with your family caused by your injury. These damages are called a "loss of consortium."

In short, the damages that may be recovered in a negligence lawsuit include almost every kind of damage that is caused by the negligence. If you have any questions about whether you can recover for an injury you have suffered, please contact us. Every case is fact-specific, and we would be happy to discuss your situation with you.

How much money can I expect?
As specialists in personal injury cases for over a decade, we can estimate an approximate range for the value of your case, not an exact value. The range will be based on a full evaluation of the facts, including:

• The type of injury established by your medical records
• Your pain & suffering (both present and future)
• The amount of your past and future medical bills
• The amount of your past and present lost wages
• How the accident happened

What is a wrongful death claim?
A wrongful death claim involves a wrongful act (intentional, reckless or negligent) by either an individual or a company that results in the death of an individual or individuals.

What's My Next Step?

If you think you've got a Personal Injury and/or Wrongful Death case use the links below to get started:

» Find out the value of your Personal Injury and Wrongful Death case