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How Contacting His Lawyer Early On Earns Client in Fall Case $675,000 Part 2

1. Prompt Investigation
John contacted our office early on in his case, enabling us to photograph the defective sidewalk before it was repaired.

2. Proving Negligence
We used two types of experts in John's case. An engineer took quality photographs of the scene, and offered testimony that the broken sidewalk and the missing lighting violated various safety standards. We were also able to prove the sidewalk had been broken for at least a year by finding a local city employee whose job it was to inspect city's sidewalks and arrange for repairs. We offered his expert opinion on the age of the broken concrete, using our engineer's photographs. It became obvious; it should have been repaired long before John's accident.

3. Accurately Describing the Accident
Emergency rooms and doctors frequently ask how an accident occurred. In John's case, the emergency room record gave a completely inaccurate description of how he was hurt; as did another physician's record. When this happens it really hurts the case because it creates conflicting evidence about the accident. Fortunately, we were able to develop witness testimony to minimize the impact of these conflicting records.

4. Not Settling for Too Little Money or Too Quickly
No one knew how serious John's injury was for weeks. Even then, the full consequences of his injuries were not known. It would have been an easy case for him to have accepted a small amount of money from a claim's adjuster soon after his injury. Even after our law suit was filed, we did not settle at mediation. As time passed, John's damages continued to increase resulting in a much higher settlement close to trial.

5. Paying Medical Expenses When Uninsured
Many times people who become injured in an accident have no health insurance. They have no idea how they will pay their medical bills. Even if you have no insurance, we are frequently able to arrange for qualified doctors and other providers to extend needed medical care based on a "letter of protection." It is a written agreement signed by you and your lawyer that the doctor's bill will be paid from any settlement obtained. Many cases, including John's, involve huge expenses which would be impossible to pay without the use of a letter of protection.

Results matter! Not every lawyer is equipped to handle every case.
Listen carefully to what any lawyer you are considering hiring is telling you.
In my book, "Dangerous Trips to Avoid in Your Fall Case," I discuss how to find a qualified personal injury attorney, one who is experienced in handling slip and fall cases and what you need to know about lawyer advertising.

Personal injury cases are vigorously defended by the insurance industry. The resources a defendant has to fight a case are endless. Insurance companies do not settle cases fairly and fully until you demonstrate to them that you have the expert witnesses, the resources and the attorney who is going to beat them in court.

Do your homework before making this all important decision!

Part 2 of a two Part Article

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