Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Jones Act Attorney
Before you hire an attorney to represent you on a Maritime or Jones Act related claim you want to make sure that this attorney has significant experience in handling these types of claims. You should ask the following questions before making a decision:
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Ask the attorney whether their initial consultation is free.
Almost all Maritime or Jones Act attorneys will provide a free initial consultation. If an attorney will not agree to meet with you for free, you should find one who will.
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Ask the attorney what experience their firm has in handling Maritime or Jones Act claims similar to yours.
Ask the attorney what types of verdicts and settlements they have been able to obtain for injuries similar to yours, but remember not to rely on this when valuing your case as every case is different.
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Ask the attorney how much your case is worth?
A lot of Maritime or Jones Act firms will give you a pie in the sky figure so that you will hire their firm. Any attorney who tells you what your case is worth at your first meeting is not being truthful with you. Without obtaining detailed information such as your medical records and medical prognosis, building theories of liability, a past and future wage loss calculation and other elements it is impossible to arrive at such a figure. However, a lawyer should be able to provide you with a range of verdicts and settlements he or she has obtained for similar injuries. Attorneys who tell you how much a case is worth on the first meeting are often those who later down the road pressure you to take a substantially lower settlement.
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Ask the attorney or law firm representative for a list of past verdicts.
The river companies know what law firms are experienced in trying Maritime or Jones Act claims and will extend higher settlement offers to those firms. In order to maximize your recovery you should hire a firm who is willing, able and has a track record to litigate your case.
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If you decide to hire a Maritime or Jones Act attorney or a law firm, make sure you get a satisfactory explanation of the contract that you sign when hiring the attorney and/or firm.
Make sure you obtain a copy of your contract. This information is important to determine just how much experience an attorney or firm has with Maritime or Jones Act claims.
Contact us anytime to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with an attorney experienced in the area in which you require assistance.
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