If you or a family member have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be thinking about hiring a personal injury lawyer. You probably have many questions and want to make sure the lawyer you select is honest, experienced, and willing to advocate aggressively to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.
At Joseph Law Group, we offer free legal consultations to potential clients to help them understand whether their case is worth pursuing and decide if they want our team to represent them. Here we answer some frequently asked questions about the free consultations we provide:
Are Joseph Law Group’s initial legal consultations really free?
Yes. We never charge a fee for an initial consultation. The consultation is a chance for you to get to know the lawyer you may be working with and find out how comfortable you are interacting with them. It also gives us an opportunity to learn about your unique situation and determine whether you have a legitimate case from a legal standpoint. There is never any pressure to hire our firm. Our clients choose to work with us based on our reputation in the community and our track record for success.
Where do your initial consultations take place?
It is usually most convenient for everyone for an initial consultation to take place over the phone. We can schedule phone consultations faster than office appointments. While scheduled consultations are recommended, an attorney can often speak with potential clients without advance notice. If you would be more comfortable discussing your case in person, we are happy to arrange an agreeable time and place to meet with you.
How long does an initial consultation last?
Since some cases are more complex than others, we don’t set time limits on initial consultations. However, we can typically gather the information we need in 30 minutes to recommend moving forward with a case. We listen carefully to every situation and try to answer all your questions to help alleviate concerns. If we identify any steps you should take to protect your legal rights, we will share that advice with you regardless of whether you become our client. We will also provide as much information as possible about the legal process and what you can expect throughout the different stages of a personal injury case.
Is the consultation confidential?
Absolutely! You’ve probably heard of attorney-client privilege. According to rules of professional conduct, confidentiality also applies to prospective clients seeking legal advice or representation. Our attorneys work in the best interest of our clients and uphold the highest ethical standards, reflected in our five-star approach to success.
How should I prepare for a free legal consultation?
To get the most out of your initial consultation, you will need to provide your name, date of injury, where the injury occurred, and how it happened. These are the essential pieces of information required for just about case type. It will be beneficial to have specific documentation before you, so try to gather any accident or police reports, insurance letters, hospital discharge summary, doctor’s notes, x-ray or MRI results, and any other pertinent evidence. While we realize it may be difficult to share your experiences, providing clear and factual information about your accident, injury, or illness will help us better understand all the factors of your case.
Will I learn whether my case is worth pursuing?
Yes. Our attorneys are very honest with potential clients. If we do not feel your case is worth pursuing, we will let you know why but may advise you to call other attorneys who may feel differently. When we believe you have a legitimate case that is worth pursuing and warrants the involvement of a personal injury attorney to deal with insurance companies, medical records, and other complexities, we will set up another time to discuss additional details.
Will I know what my case is worth?
No. The calculation of damages, or financial compensation, depends mainly on the injuries you have suffered and the medical treatment you need to recover. At Joseph Law Group, we take great care to assess all the types of damages that may be available to you. These can include medical bills, emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of use, lost wages, and lost earning capacity. Our goal is to help you get the maximum compensation you deserve, which we cannot adequately estimate during an initial consultation.
Will we discuss fees or sign any documents?
That is entirely up to you. We typically let potential clients know that we work on a “contingency basis.” This fee arrangement allows us to represent clients from all walks of life because there are no hourly fees or upfront costs. We only collect a fee if we win your case, either through a settlement or trial verdict. That fee is a fixed and previously agreed-upon percentage taken out of the compensation recovered on your behalf. Suppose we decide your case is worth pursuing and you would like to retain our legal services. In that event, we will make follow-up arrangements for you to review and sign a written representation agreement and other applicable forms at another time. We can do this in-person at our office, at your home, or electronically through email.
If you would like to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced and compassionate personal injury lawyer at Joseph Law Group, give us a call at (216) 912-7402 today.
