Injury Claims
SEEK ADVICE NOW
The time in which to file a claim is limited. Whether you can make a claim almost always depends upon how much time has passed since the event that injured you occurred. This is true whether you were injured in an accident, were wrongfully fired from your job (or turned down for one), or failed to get the full benefit of your insurance policy.
The amount of time allowed for you to file your claim will depend on a number of different things -- the facts of your case, the type of legal claim you have, where you need to bring the claim, whether the claim is subject to a contract, and whether you are making a claim against the government.
Moreover, your lawyer will need time to investigate the facts and the law relating to your claim to ensure that the lawsuit meets the standards required by the court. This may mean that records need to be collected, witnesses interviewed, and experts retained. All this can take some time.
Thus, it is critical that you consult with an experienced attorney as soon as you think you may have a claim, even if you don’t yet feel that your injury has resolved, or that you want to file a lawsuit now.
My first consultation with you is free.
FEES AND COSTS
Pursuing an injury claim is always involves financial costs and risks. In some cases, I am willing to share this risk with you, and will offer you the option of paying on a so-called “contingency” basis: In other words, if you win, I will take a percentage, and I will not be paid unless you win. In all other cases, I work on an hourly basis. In every case, you will be responsible for costs such as court fees, expert fees, copy costs, messenger fees, and the like. In contingency cases, I may advance some or all of these costs for the duration of the lawsuit.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT LAWYER
Most people have had the good fortune never to need a lawyer. Choosing a good one requires gathering information.
Choose a lawyer with experience in your type of claim. Your lawyer should know how to “work the system”; in other words, understand how insurance companies, corporations, and other defendants, and their lawyers, behave in litigation. Your lawyer should have an excellent reputation among his or her peers.
Look for a lawyer with good judgment. This means, find someone who can see past the dollar signs; who cares about you and who can be both empathetic and honest; who will do the work necessary to maximize your chances of success. Your lawyer should be the kind of person who will go to bat for you, but who will not promise more than can reasonably be delivered.
Personality is important. You need to get along with your lawyer. You must develop mutual trust and feel comfortable communicating about the most personal details, even when you are feeling down or frustrated. Thus, while all relationships take time to develop, it is important to meet your lawyer in person before deciding to hire one.
I have handled serious and complex injury, insurance, and employment cases for over 16 years. I am rated “AV” by Martindale Hubbell, the highest peer rating published by the leading lawyer’s directory. I will listen to you, give you straight advice, and represent your interests zealously within the rules of professional ethics.
Daniel R. Laurence
Attorney at Law
1802 Grove Street
Marysville, WA 98270-4330
TEL. (360) 657-5150
FAX (360) 657-2465