A personal injury lawyer will help you understand your rights, navigate the legal process and pursue the compensation you are entitled. Here are some important questions to consider when speaking with a personal injury lawyer:
How are your legal fees structured?
Most personal injury lawyers operate under a contingency fee basis, meaning that the legal fee for their services is only collected if compensation is recovered. The legal fee often does not include disbursements.
- Will I be responsible for any costs if I am unsuccessful?
Ask whether you will be expected to cover court fees, medical reports, expert witnesses, or costs awarded to the other party if you are unsuccessful in your claim. Ontario is a “loser pays system” and thus, if you lose at trial then you can be awarded costs against you.
- What is your experience with similar cases?
Understanding whether the lawyer has handled similar claims can provide insight into their familiarity with your type of case and the potential challenges it presents.
- What is your assessment of my case?
An experienced lawyer will offer an honest evaluation of your claim. This includes outlining strength and weaknesses in your cases and the overall likelihood of success. An experienced lawyer will state that the outcome is not guaranteed, however. An experienced lawyer will never given an assessment of your case from the outset or guarantee an outcome.
- How will we communicate?
Open and consistent communication is essential. Ask how often you will be updated, who you will be speaking with, and through which methods.
If you have been involved in an incident causing you injury, it is always best to consult a professional lawyer who has experience arguing these types of claims to protect your interests. Please contact our team at JRJ LAW for a free initial consultation at 1 (844) DIAL JRJ