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When you have been a victim of a slip-and-fall accident, it can be challenging to know how to secure compensation for your injuries and other losses. You don’t have to waste time figuring things out as you go. Gould Injury Law can get you fast results; Any of our personal injury attorneys can review your case, determine whether you have a claim for compensation, and advise you of your legal rights.
When consulting a lawyer, there are some important questions you should ask. Your slip-and-fall attorney is someone with whom you will work closely. You want to be sure that you trust the law firm you hire to represent you and that you feel comfortable communicating with them.
At Gould Injury Law, we understand how important it is to our clients and their families to recover compensation as quickly as possible after being injured. For this reason, we pride ourselves on being known as “The Fast Firm.” We work hard to secure compensation for our clients fast.
Let us get started on your case today. Call 888-WIN-FAST to schedule your free initial case evaluation with our firm.
Important Questions to Ask a Connecticut Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you are considering whether to hire a lawyer for a slip and fall case, you want to be sure to make the right choice for you. However, it’s hard to know where to start your search for a Connecticut personal injury lawyer or how to compare and evaluate your options.
Asking a lawyer specific questions can help you know whether he or she has the skills, experience, and resources needed to pursue your claim. You want to be confident that your personalities are a good fit and that the attorney will always have your best interest in mind.
The following are some important questions you can ask when researching legal representation.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire You?
Most personal injury lawyers in Connecticut work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you are not charged a legal fee unless your lawyer wins your case, and the fee will be a percentage of your compensation reward.
Ask what that percentage is and read your retainer document thoroughly before hiring the attorney. Generally, contingency fees are 40 percent of the settlement. However, the fee can be higher or lower depending on the case.
It is important to ask specifically whether the law firm charges any fees, in addition to the percentage of the settlement. Unfortunately, some lawyers deceptively say “no legal fees,” but then charge you a multitude of small fees for things like copying documents and postage.
What is your assessment of my case?
This is an important question to ask because it can prevent you from additional headaches and frustration after your slip-and-fall.
As the victim, you may feel certain that the defendant was at fault for your accident and that you deserve substantial compensation for your injuries. However, sometimes the particulars of a case may make it difficult to win a settlement. A lawyer can give you an objective and unbiased opinion on your case.
While a slip and fall attorney cannot tell you for sure whether you will win or lose your case, he or she can tell you if you have a good chance of winning against the property owner. The lawyer should also be able to estimate approximately how much your case is worth – and whether it is worth pursuing compensation.
Do you have experience handling cases like mine?
It is important to hire a lawyer who has specific experience in handling slip and fall claims. Keep in mind that just because a law firm has been established for some time does not mean they have experience handling your type of case. Just as you would not hire a plumber to repair your car, you would not want to hire an attorney who dabbles in personal injury law to handle your slip and fall case.
You do not necessarily need to rule out attorneys who have not handled a large number of cases like yours, as long as they have the support of more experienced lawyers at their firm who can provide them with advice and assistance. On the other hand, you do not want your slip and fall case to be the first one handled by a sole practitioner.
How many slip- and fall cases have you litigated in court, and what were the results?
The majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court through negotiations with the insurance company. Going to trial can be costly, so it is often in the best interests of both parties to settle without getting the court involved. However, if a fair and reasonable amount cannot be reached, then a jury trial will be necessary.
It is important to know how much court experience the lawyer has so that you have a realistic expectation about his or her ability to handle your case if it reaches court. Even though your case may be settled without going to trial, your lawyer should expect and prepare for every case as if it will go to trial.
How many cases do you handle at a time?
Good personal injury lawyers know their limits and how many cases they can take on at one time. They only have so much time in a day and energy they can devote to their clients. A balanced and modest lawyer will not take on a case knowing he or she will not be able to give it the time and attention it deserves.
You likely want your claim to be settled as quickly as possible. If the lawyer does not have time and is already booked with cases, it may take months for your lawsuit to be filed. When you consult with Gould Injury Lawyers, though, we will be able to give you an idea of how fast we can settle your claim thanks to our incredible team and extensive resources.
What is your strategy to reach a successful verdict?
Ask your lawyer how he or she plans to build a successful case on your behalf. The answer should describe the evidence to be used and his or her negotiation tactics.
Inquire about any potential weaknesses the lawyer sees in your slip and fall case and what he or she plans to do to resolve those issues. A fast-working lawyer will be able to notice these issues right away but will also be confident to resolve them as soon as possible.
It is also important to inquire how the lawyer plans to keep you updated throughout the legal process. You want a personal injury lawyer who is open and transparent as to how your case is progressing and who will answer your phone calls when you need to talk to him or her.
What do you need from me?
In order for your case to be successful, your slip and fall attorney will need certain documents and information from you to build your case. For example, if your accident has caused you to miss time from work, your lawyer will ask for proof of lost income. Statistics show that 22 percent of slip-and-falls result in the person missing over 31 days from work.
Other information requested may include:
- Copies of medical bills
- Photos from the accident scene
- Police reports
- Contact information for anyone who was an eyewitness to the event
- Documentation of doctor’s visits
Do you have testimonials from your recent successes?
While attorney/client privilege may prevent the lawyer from sharing any specific details with you, a good lawyer should have successful testimonials to share. Ask the firm to share success stories for cases they have won that are similar to yours.
In addition, many law firms will have testimonials from past cases on their website that you can browse before meeting with the lawyer.
Is there a statute of limitations or another time limit on my case?
A key issue in all slip and fall cases is that it requires fast, decisive action. You must bring your claim within a certain period of time from when your injury occurred based on the statute of limitations in your state. In Connecticut, most personal injury cases have to be filed within 2 years from the date of injury. However, it could be more or less time depending on the situation.
It is essential to understand what your time limits are, because even the strongest case could be invalid if you miss your window to act. An experienced attorney can advise you of the time limits that pertain to your case.
Contact “The Fast Firm” Today
There are several factors to take into consideration when hiring a personal injury lawyer for your slip and fall case, including fee structure, experience level, and how comfortable you are with the attorney. These questions should help you evaluate whether a lawyer is right for you and what you can expect if you hire him or her.
Take advantage of our free case consultation to help you assess your claim and determine whether you have a right to compensation. Our lawyers both think and work fast and efficiently, so from your very first conversation with us, we will listen carefully as you explain how the slip-and-fall occurred and how it has affected your life. We can answer your questions, address your concerns, and do whatever we can to help.
With Gould Injury Law on your side, you can be confident your case will be handled fast and aggressively. We get cases settled as quickly as possible and do not back down until our clients receive the compensation they are due.
Call 888-WIN-FAST to schedule a free case evaluation at a time and location convenient for you.