Here are five qualities you should look for in a brain injury attorney
Location
In real estate, they say it’s all about location, but it’s also true in legal situations. Wherever the accident happened, you want a local attorney. If your traumatic brain injury occurred in the Seattle-Tacoma area, you want a local attorney. Don’t be tempted by the gaudy TB ads of large franchise firms that promise they can handle a lawsuit anywhere but has just a small branch office in Tacoma. You want a local law firm who knows the court system, is part of the local legal network and that is located conveniently near you to make meeting with your brain injury lawyer convenient.
Experience
Traumatic brain injury lawsuits can be complicated and aren’t something you want in the hands of a novice attorney. Instead, you want someone with years of experience handling personal injury cases. You also don’t want a general attorney. You want an attorney whose sole focus in their practice is personal injury law. Extensive litigation experience is also a must. Some personal injury lawyers are a lot of talk and will write threatening letters but aren’t equipped to fight it out in court if required. So be sure the attorney you choose has litigation experience (just in case it comes to that).
Expertise
In addition to years of experience, you need an attorney with expertise in brain injury cases. It’s not enough for them to have general personal injury experience. Because brain injury cases are complex, your lawyer must have specific expertise. Expertise with TBI cases can mean the difference between a mediocre outcome or a much higher settlement that will fully compensate you for the extent of your injuries, any impact on your future (such as limited ability to work) and any permanent brain damage (which is common).
Track Record
It’s one thing for a lawyer to tell you they know their stuff, but what’s more important is that they have a track record of successful negotiated settlements and trial verdicts. You should request a roster of their victories – particularly those for traumatic brain injury clients! If you’re a research buff, civil case verdicts are part of the public record and you can search to verify what your attorney has told you. Negotiated settlements are usually covered by attorney client privilege, so you won’t be told names but your lawyer can share general circumstances and settlement amounts.
Reputation
Finally, you want a lawyer who has a good reputation, both with clients and with fellow attorneys. Avvo.com is a great place to check out a potential attorney so that you can read reviews from clients as well as peer endorsements. Look for attorneys that are highly rated by clients for both service and results. A lawyer may tell you that they’re great, but the client perspective is much more insightful. Peer reviews are also important because they reveal the level of professionalism of your attorney. Someone who enjoys the respect of their peers can be a great resource for you!
If you (or a loved one) have been seriously impacted by a traumatic brain injury, Park Chenaur can help. No matter what caused the injury – whether it was a car accident, sporting accident, work-related injury or other incident – we are here for you. We offer a free consultation and can even come to you if you are still recuperating from your accident.
Park Chenaur works on a contingency basis, so we can begin representing you immediately with no payment up front and we don’t charge a fee until you get a settlement! We pride ourselves on providing you with compassionate counsel and aggressive advocacy. We offer services in English, Korean and Spanish. Contact Park Chenaur today so we can work on getting you the best settlement as soon as possible. You can reach us via our website or at (253) 839-9440.
