What should I do if I’ve been injured?

What information do I need?

What if an insurance company or investigator contacts me?

Is there a time limit on bringing a claim?

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer?

What about expenses?

Will I have to go to court?

Do I still have a claim if my medical bills were paid by insurance?

What is the value of my claim?

If I have a claim, how long will it take?

Q: What should I do if I've been injured?
A: If you or someone in your family has been injured, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible to see if you have a claim for personal injuries. I can help determine the cause of an injury and whether someone is legally responsible for the injury. Back to top

Q: What information do I need?
A: You should save all paperwork and notes related to you accident and injuries. This includes medical notes, bills and receipts as well as all written correspondence relating the accident and injuries. You should document your injuries and the scene of the accident by taking photographs or video recordings. You should keep a log of your medical appointments. I recommend you keep these items together in a safe place.
I will obtain all medical records, bills and other information necessary to evaluate and pursue your case. Back to top

Q: What if an insurance company or an investigator contacts me?
A: You should not discuss your injuries or accident with anyone until you have consulted a lawyer. The written or verbal statements you make may become harmful to your case at a later date. Do not file any written reports or descriptions, sign any papers, or agree to any settlement, as this could affect your ability to recover full compensation for your injuries. Back to top

Q: Is there a time limit on bringing a claim?
A: Yes. You should consult a lawyer as soon as possible because there are laws that prohibit the bringing of old claims. For most personal injury matters, claims must be brought within three years, although there are exceptions. If you were injured some time ago, you should still consult a lawyer because you may still be able to bring a claim. Back to top

Q: How much does it cost to hire a lawyer?
A: I represent clients on a contingency fee basis, usually 33.33%. This means that if I accept your case, you pay no legal fees unless I obtain compensation for you. If no money is recovered, you owe nothing except out of pocket expenses that I incurred in bringing your claim. Consultations are free, so if I do not accept your case, you owe nothing. Back to top

Q: What about expenses?
A: There are certain expenses, such as court filing fees, sheriff’s fees, expert witness fees, deposition fees and medical records copying costs involved in bringing a personal injury claim. In most cases, I will pay these expenses as the case proceeds. You do not have to reimburse for these costs until the conclusion of the case. Back to top

Q: Will I have to go to court?
A: You may have to go to court if your case is not settled and must be tried in Court. Most claims are settled before trial, but it is impossible to predict whether your particular case will settle or will be decided by a jury. Alternative dispute resolution is also available, which can take the form of either mediation or arbitration. Back to top

Q: Do I still have a claim if my medical bills were paid by insurance?
A: Yes. Even if your medical expenses were paid, you may be entitled to compensation for many other aspects of your injury, such as time lost from work, scarring or disfigurement, future medical expenses, emotional distress, or pain and suffering. Back to top

Q: What is the value of my claim?
A: The value of your claim depends on a wide variety of factors, such as the severity and permanency of your injury, their impact on your future, the amount of your medical expenses, wages lost, and whether the case is settled or decided by a jury. It is impossible to estimate the value of a claim until all aspects of the case have been fully investigated, and you should be wary of anyone who tries to tell you the value of your claim at an early stage. After I have completed a thorough investigation of your case, I will be in a position to offer you an opinion as to the value of your claim and its likelihood of success. Back to top

Q: If I have a claim, how long will it take?
A: The initial evaluation of a claim usually takes a month or so, except for medical malpractice claims, which may take three to six months. After a lawsuit is filed, the length of time depends on how crowded the court calendar is, and whether the insurance company is willing to settle the claim before trial. Most cases take between two and three years to complete. Back to top