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How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or your property is harmed because of someone else's act, or in some cases, their failure to act, a personal injury attorney can help you get compensation for your losses. Personal injury attorneys are experienced in recovering damages for both physical injuries (e.g., bodily harm and property damage) and non-physical injuries (e.g., emotional distress, lost income and lost prospects). The following is a quick guide to help you choose a personal injury lawyer who is right for you.

Personal injury or “tort” law covers a variety of injuries, circumstances and areas of law, including slips and falls, assault and battery, car accidents, injuries in the workplace, animal bites, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and defective products and drugs. Since the laws in each situation are complex and frequently change, you should try to find a personal injury attorney with a practice dedicated to this area of law and a history of success with your particular type of claim. It is always good to ask personal injury lawyers what percentage of their practice is devoted to handling cases like yours, and what the outcomes of past cases were. Professional affiliations, publications authored and attendance at seminars also are good indicators that the personal injury attorney you are considering is a specialist.

You may wish to interview several personal injury attorneys before deciding who will represent you. Reputable personal injury lawyers usually don’t charge for an initial consultation. You may also want to ask if your case can be taken on a contingency fee basis, which means the lawyer will only get paid if and when you receive a settlement from a negotiation or trial. The average personal injury fee is 30 to 35 percent; however, this percentage may be as much as 45 percent for larger cases that go to trial.

If you believe you are entitled to compensation for an injury, contact a personal injury lawyer today to learn more.

[Last revision: April 13, 2010]