Getting the Right Lawyer for Your Case

by: Mart Gil Abareta

Whenever you’re in need of a legal specialist for your lawsuit or even just for advice, acquiring one is never hard especially now that we already have the very useful Internet. With it, you must not worry that you’ll be getting a lousy lawyer because of its lawyer locators. These locators search vast databases of lawyer information that will match your lawyer requirements and qualifications. There are also online referral services that can help you find the best attorney for your case.  This feature of the Internet can certainly help you save time and effort. You must not be discouraged by the myriad law firms and independent attorneys who are present everywhere because the web is a more efficient means to locate them. The web offers fast and accurate way of tracking the best attorney for your case. Another thing is the fact that it only searches through records of competent, carefully-screened lawyers with a winning professional background in his area of law and your geographic region, too.  Professional background or the experience of an attorney in handling cases that are similar to your case is very important. Through this, you can make sure that you’ll put up a good fight and that you can expect for justice to be served on you. The geographic region is also a major consideration when choosing a legal specialist for your lawsuit. As we all know, laws vary from state to state. And your lawyer must be proficient enough in the area where the incident, that has lead to your case, has taken place.  When you use the Internet to locate a lawyer, you have to know that your location is also being considered and weighs tremendously in the search results. But this is only second to the lawyer’s capacity to handle your case successfully based on his previous experiences on the same type of case. Among others, the lawyer’s background is the most important thing to consider in hiring one to ensure that you’ll get the best legal assistance possible.  Finally, a good lawyer is someone who can identify the causes and the level of fault of your case. He is also the one that prepares and organizes the necessary documents that will be used in court trials to establish the truth. An advantage on your part is the fact that you don’t have to pay your personal injury attorney unless you win your settlement. But in other areas of the law, a consultation fee is being asked by some lawyers. With this, you have to be very keen in choosing the perfect lawyer to fulfill your legal needs.  About the author: For more related articles, you may visit http://www.mesrianilaw.com Circulated by Article Emporium

Finding The Right Lawyer To Represent You

by: Dan Baldyga

Adjuster Henry Hustle from GiveAwayNothing Insurance tried to take advantage of you so you’ve decided to obtain the services of an attorney. Here are some insights you should consider:  SMALL LAW FIRM VS. LARGE LAW FIRM: The size of the law firm has absolutely nothing to do with how well that office will represent you and/or handle your case. A large law firm (10 or more names on their letterhead) will not impress an insurance adjuster into giving you a better settlement. On the contrary, adjuster’s who’ve been around, know that huge law offices have multi-million dollar clients with mind-boggling legal problems. Because of this those types of law firms often do not put the time (nor concern) into a several thousand dollar personal injury case that a small office would. The bottom line? You’ll receive more and better attention from a small law office. Many of the best personal injury lawyers operate within the confines of a law firm with only two, three or, at the very most, four associates.  BEWARE OF LAWYERS WHO REPRESENT “DEFENDANTS”:The practice of law has become incredibly specialized. Find a lawyer who has experience representing claimant’s(called “Plaintiffs” in legalese) in personal injury cases.(You’re a “Plaintiff”). Be careful not to be represented by someone who is primarily an attorney for “Defendants’. These lawyers way of thinking are usually too closely tied to the values, attitudes and mental outlook of their cold and calculating insurance company clients.More often than not they’ll not extend themselves nor battle as hard - - consciously or unconsciously - - to obtain top dollar for your claim.(To you four or five hundred dollars more is a lot of money.To them it’s a drop in the bucket)!  COMPARISON SHOP: Talk to friends, acquaintances and/or co-workers who may have been represented by a lawyer on their own personal injury claim. Personal Injury lawyers normally don’t charge for an initial consultation.But, before you meet with them, find out if they do.If the answer to that is “yes”, go somewhere else.  While chatting with the lawyer, getting to know him and (generally speaking) what your case is all about, you should find out:  (1) How long have they been in practice?(10 years - plus - that’s good. 6 to 8 years is just okay. 3 to 4 years is highly questionable. 2 years or less is totally unacceptable).  (2) Roughly what percentage of his practice involves personal injury cases? If it’s less than 75% say “goodbye”.  (3) Does he often represent corporations and/or insurance companies? If he does than forge it, excuse yourself and take a walk.He’s not a Plaintiff’s attorney (you’re a “Plaintiff”) he’s a Defendant’s attorney (the insurance company is a “Defendant”). He’s not for you!  PAYING THE LAWYER - THE WRITTEN FEE AGREEMENT”: After you’ve discussed the fact’s of your case you may be able to get some sense from the attorney how much he thinks your case is worth, and how difficult it may be to get the insurance company to pay that amount.(He probably won’t commit himself. He’ll do a song and dance that would put Madonna to shame). Once you’ve grappled with that ask him exactly how much he’s going to charge you for handling your case?  If you’re at fault for the accident and it’s only your damaged ego that demands legal action he’s going to charge you for every move he makes - - and there can be a ton of them - - at hundreds of dollars an hour.If you have a case in which the other driver is clearly at fault (and your damages are substantial) his heart will be pounding with glee and he’ll be salivating furiously to have you hire him. In that instance he’ll be quite willing to waive all potential charges.  Usually, in the majority of cases, it should be a straight “Contingency Fee” with no costs assessed to you. Once your financial deal has been agreed upon ask him to put that into writing, in his “Written Fee Agreement”.(If he balks at a Written Fee Agreement you should begin to hum that old tune “I’ll See Ya’ Later Alligator”, get up, thank him for his time, and exit that office)  Copyright (c) 2003 by Daniel G. Baldyga. All rights Reserved  DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this insurance claim tip FINDING THE RIGHT LAWYER is to help people understand the motor vehicle accident claim process. Neither Dan Baldyg nor ARTICLE CITY make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever; NOR do they purport to engage in rendering any professional or legal service; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant or the like. Where such professional help is desired it is the INDIVIDUAL’S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.  Dan Baldyga’s third and latest book AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss)can be found on the internet at http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com. This book reveals "How To" successfully handle your motor vehicle accident claim, so you won't be taken advantage of. It also goes into detail regarding the revolutionary BASE (The Baldyga Auto Accident Settlement Evalation Formula). BASE explains how to determine the value of the "Pain and Suffering" you endured - - because of your personal injury.  About the author: For over 30 years Dan Baldyga was a claims adjuster, supervisor, manager and also a trial assisstant. He is now retired and spends his time attempting to assist those involved in motor vehicle accident claims so they will not be taken advantage of. Mail to: dbpaw@comcast.net.  Please click here for more articles about lawyers and legal services.  Circulated by Article Emporium

7 Common Misconceptions About Law Firm Websites

by: Matthew Samp

Many website design firms have courted the legal market to create website for law firms. The problem is, most designers don’t understand the unique needs of a lawyer, how the firms operate and how to create a website that makes money for the lawyer.  Following are seven common misconceptions about law firm websites.  MISCONCEPTION #1: I can create my own website.  If you're happy with a website that gives visitors basic information about you, then you're right. You don't need to have a website that works.  However, if you want a website that will consistently bring in cases, it has to be different from the websites of other lawyers in your area.  Further, it has to give the visitor a reason to contact you. Simply offering a free consultation or free report is not enough. You have to have a “sticky” website, one that has lots of information that people find useful, one that they come back to for reference and a website that develops a relationship with the visitor.  MISCONCEPTION #2: If I put my website on the Internet, people will automatically find me.  They old saying, “build it and they will come,” couldn’t be further from the truth. Just because you have a site on the web, doesn’t mean people can find it.  Today, SEOs (search engine optimizers) are getting big money (two to five thousand a month) to get websites listed in the top of the search engines.  Once you have a website, you have to have a systematic way to drive traffic to your site. There are many ways to drive traffic, but just putting the site up is the first step in having a website.  MISCONCEPTION #3: If I put my website on the Internet, people will automatically hire me.  Usually not. Most law firm websites are nothing more than a few “fluffy” paragraphs about the law firm. If your website says:  “At Smith Law Office, we believe putting the needs of the client comes first. With the use of technology and competent legal research, our attorneys are able to advise our clients, giving the client an advantage in each matter.”  Or something similar, no doubt your message is ignored by the visitor.  The fact is, consumers are smart today, than ever before. With the amount of information available to people and those lawyers willing to give it out in mass quantities, people expect more than lop service. They want solid information in a format that’s easily accessible.  The visitor has to be compelled to contact the firm, or they won’t turn into a client.  MISCONCEPTION #4: Law firm websites don’t make real money.  This is actually true of nearly all law firm sites. However, it doesn’t have to be that way.  The fact is, there are solutions available to lawyers today, that can replace part or all of a marketing program. In fact, several of my lawyers have massively reduced the amount of yellow pages advertising due to the results and income they get from their website.  Since websites are cheaper than yellow page ads, it makes sense to work to get clients from a lower cost solution.  MISCONCEPTION #5: Putting up my areas of practice, contact information and mission statement is a good website.  Not true. Often times, a lawyer’s website is so poorly done, that it actually causes people to look for another attorney.  And, those attorneys who pay big bucks for snazzy flash presentations, and lots of bells and whistles end up looking too polished. People want a lawyer that’s a person, not a lawyer that hides behind his law firm name.  A site with all sorts of clever plugins is usually a waste of money. It makes the lawyer feel good about his or her website, but it doesn’t actually make money.  Should an attorney spend five or six thousand dollars on a website that looks great but doesn’t make money? That’s not an asset. It’s a waste.  MISCONCEPTION #6: Websites created by web designers are usually “good” websites.  Just because someone knows how to code a website, doesn’t mean they know what will make a person pick up the phone and call you.  Look at it like this: A paralegal can draft a demur, but what kind of success would they have going into court to argue that demur?  MISCONCEPTION #7: Buying a website from I lawyer directory is a safe and easy way to get my firm a website.  Not true. A website that has lawdomain.com/SmithLaw is a website that will rarely be looked at. Sure, there are some big companies around selling these sites to lawyers who know they have to have a website to look “official” yet, all the sites are bases off of a brochure type idea.  Again, putting up your “mission statement,” a few areas of practice and your bio doesn’t mean you have a website that will make you money.  The most likely scenario is that very few people will actually find your site if it’s created by one of these companies.  About the author: Matthew Samp is a law firm marketing consultant. Information about his turnkey websites can be found at www.lawfirmmarketingwebsites.comor by calling 402-292-3400.  Circulated by Article Emporium

 

4 Tips to Help You Find a Reputable Mesothelioma Lawyer

by: Robert Linebaugh

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the sac lining the chest (the pleura), the lining around the heart (the pericardium), or the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). Studies have shown that people, who suffer from the disease mesothelioma, were exposed to an abundance of asbestos at one time or another in their life. Unfortunately, many people become exposed to asbestos unknowingly, usually as part of a job. Because of this, someone who has mesothelioma is often entitled to compensation. There are many mesothelioma lawyers, but the following easy tips can make it easier to find a mesothelioma lawyer.  1. Research all you can concerning mesothelioma. The more you understand the disease affecting you or a loved one, the better you will be able to judge a lawyer’s expertise. A lawyer who understands many aspects about the disease is the ideal lawyer. If your lawyer understands your or your loved one’s symptoms, and complications stemming from the disease, he or she will be better able to defend you. Unfortunately, some lawyers do not “do their homework” in regards to medical cases. This often leads to losing cases. A reputable lawyer will certainly know the ins and outs of the disease, so be sure to ask as many questions as you can think of.  2. Use phone books and Internet search engines to find lawyers. This may seem simple, but some people don’t bother taking the time to look through many lawyers. Accepting the first lawyer that calls, or that one sees on TV is not a good idea. Searching in Google for the keyword “mesothelioma lawyer” will yield better results in the end than simply accepting whatever lawyer comes along. Giving yourself a variety of lawyers to consider will give you the best idea of who will be willing to work hardest for you, who is sincere, and who will most likely help you win your claim.  3. Read the fine print, and know your lawyer’s case history. Once you are nearing your decision and narrowing down potential candidates, take your research to a new level. It is always a good idea to find out about a lawyer’s case history. Additionally, it is advisable to know exactly what kind of deal the lawyer is seeking with you. Lawyers dealing with medical-related lawsuits usually do not get paid unless they win the settlement. Some lawyers request different percentages. Compare these requests and choose the lawyer that you would feel most comfortable with. Unfortunately, some lawyers might try to take advantage of an unknowing client. In order to protect your interests, and make sure you acquire the top-notch lawyer you deserve, do background research on lawyers before signing up.  4. Finally, don’t be afraid to take advice. If a friend, or colleague suggests a lawyer, don’t hesitate to check it out. If a friend refers you, he or she obviously has your best interests at heart, and so the lawyer is probably well qualified to take on your case. There are many groups out there for mesothelioma patients. If you or a loved one is in one of these groups, don’t hesitate to ask for advice from others who have mesothelioma. Advice is often taken for granted, but it is one of the most valuable things a friend can give.  Mesothelioma is an awful disease, but there is compensation. This compensation can either be sought in a wrongful death suit, or while the patient is still living. It is advisable to find a lawyer as quickly as possible because there is often a statute of limitations on filing a lawsuit. The basic idea when searching for a mesothelioma lawyer is to be as educated as possible. Know what you want, and find a lawyer that is willing to help you in any way possible. Being well informed about your disease and potential lawyers will put you on the path to compensation.  About the author: Robert Linebaugh writes about a variety of health topics, but focuses on mesothelioma. Learn more at http://www.justmeso.com.  Circulated by Article Emporium