A catastrophic injury can impact every aspect of your life. You may have to make significant changes to your work and family life to adapt to your new reality. If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury caused by another party’s negligence, you need a qualified lawyer on your side. He or she can assist you in pursuing the compensation you need to live the best life possible.
Catastrophic injuries can happen in a flash. Problems such as drunk driving and excessive speeding are making roads in Arizona and other parts of the country even more deadly. Figures from the NHTSA show that traffic deaths have risen yearly since 2019, according to Cronkite News/Arizona PBS.
Have catastrophic injuries suffered in a car crash, workplace accident, or another scenario taken the life of a loved one? You may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. If an accident has left you with catastrophic injuries, be assured that there are legal remedies that can help you cope.
We have put together some pointers to help you find a catastrophic injury lawyer near you. Following these tips will enable you to find a compassionate, experienced, and tenacious lawyer who practices locally and can guide you through the unfamiliar legal territory as you pursue your compensation claim.
At Phillips Law Group, your journey starts with a free case evaluation. Call us at (602) 222-2222 or contact us online to speak with an attorney today.
Look at Reviews and Referrals
Our friends and family are often the first people we turn to for referrals of any kind. Of course, we hope that none of them have suffered a catastrophic injury. If they ever have, though, they may be able to recommend a local law firm that you can add to your list.
Reviews on independent review sites can also be a helpful source of information, giving you an insight into the satisfaction levels of former clients. Also, consider how the law firm responds to negative reviews. If they follow up courteously and extend an opportunity to discuss the matter further, this demonstrates how they care about their clients.
The Better Business Bureau is another valuable resource. It rates businesses based on several criteria, including their time in business, complaint history, and transparent business practices. The most highly-rated firms achieve an A+ rating.
Consider Catastrophic Injury Case Experience
Catastrophic injury cases are usually more complex than non-catastrophic injury lawsuits. The effects of a catastrophic injury can last a lifetime. Your attorney will thoroughly review all documentation related to your case to calculate a fair settlement.
The right lawyer will consider your economic damages
He or she will examine your:
- Medical debt already accrued
- Future medical expenses
- Necessary home adaptations
- Medical equipment and prescription drugs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential and/or business opportunities
The right lawyer will also consider your non-economic damages
Catastrophic injury attorneys will also calculate the non-economic impact of your injuries, such as:
- Pain
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Loss of consortium includes the reduction of support you can give your spouse or children. It takes into account that you may now be limited in the services you can provide for your family, such as cooking, cleaning, and driving. It also includes the loss of intimacy that may have resulted from your accident.
Experienced catastrophic injury lawyers understand what you are going through and can even see the repercussions further into your future. Therefore, they will take all of the current and long-term factors into account when calculating and pursuing a fair settlement for your suffering.
Interview the Attorney
Most catastrophic injury lawyers offer a free case evaluation or review. This is a great opportunity for you to either speak to multiple attorneys on the phone or in person. You can talk to them about your experience and show them any evidence you already have.
From the lawyer’s perspective, the purpose of the case review is to decide your claim or lawsuit’s merit. The attorney may weigh the chances of success to determine whether or not to take on your case. He or she may also discuss the strategy to be used to prove negligence.
From your point of view, this is a great opportunity to see how comfortable you feel with the lawyer. If you will be working with him or her over the weeks and months ahead, you should feel comfortable and have a strong rapport with your attorney.
Enjoy a Professional Environment
Catastrophic injury cases require attention on multiple fronts to secure the settlement you require to move forward with your life. The law firm should have a professional office that exudes calm and organization.
Your attorneys should be punctual and prioritize communication. During your case review, they should outline how they will keep you updated throughout the process.
Seek a Successful Track Record
You need to feel sure that you have a committed lawyer on your side who will tenaciously pursue fair compensation for your injuries. The law firm should have a great track record in achieving success for its clients. Ask the legal team about their success rate when you have your case review.
The attorney should be able to give you examples of similar cases won in the past and the level of compensation secured for the client. Check out his or her law firm’s website for examples of verdicts and settlements that were secured for past clients.
Examine the Fee Arrangement
Most catastrophic injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means that they will not charge you a cent if they are unsuccessful. If they are successful, though, you will usually pay a percentage of your compensation to the law firm as payment for their services.
Lawyers should be upfront and transparent about these costs. Some important questions to ask include:
- What percentage will you charge if you are successful?
- Are there any other fees to be deducted?
- Are the lawyer’s expenses included, or will they be deducted separately?
Ask for this information in writing before you allow a law firm to take on your case. The most trustworthy law firms will be transparent about their charges from day one.
Compare Options
Choosing a catastrophic injury lawyer is an important decision. Your condition may remain with you for the rest of your life. Therefore, you need to choose a lawyer who will handle your case with the care and attention it deserves.
That’s why it makes sense to interview multiple lawyers – we recommend considering at least three law firms. Compare them based on their experience, professionalism, success rate, and payment arrangements.
When meeting with lawyers, ask them about the challenges they anticipate with your case and how they plan to overcome them. This can give you a sense of how well they understand your case and how determined they are to fight to pursue the best outcome for you.
Choose the Right Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Near Me
When you’re recovering from a catastrophic injury, you need to focus on your recovery. A catastrophic injury lawyer can mean the difference between struggling to get compensation and succeeding in obtaining the damages you need.
At Phillips Law Group, our attorneys are experienced in handling complex catastrophic injury lawsuits. When we take on your case, we will analyze it closely to make sure that all damages are considered – not just the financial ones. From there, we’ll pursue total compensation to help you get your life back on track.
We want to hear your story. Reach Phillips Law Group at (602) 222-2222 or by filling out our online form to speak to one of our attorneys.