Questions to Ask When Choosing a Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing a loved one can feel unbearable, especially when it didn’t have to happen but was caused by someone else’s negligence. In the face of funeral preparations or estate delegation, the last thing you should need to worry about is whether your Chicago wrongful death lawyer is trustworthy or competent.
Our team at Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC believes in empowering you to feel confident when interviewing potential lawyers and advises you to consider some of the questions below.
What is Your Experience and Success Rate with Wrongful Death Cases?
There is not always a right or wrong answer to this question. Someone with less overall experience may still have more specific experience related to the details of your case.
This question provides a chance for the attorney to discuss their experience, understanding, and history of success in facing wrongful death cases. It might be a red flag if they simply answer with the number of years or cases they have handled, and you cannot get them to elaborate.
What is Your Fee Structure, and How Do You Take Payment?
Many personal injury lawyers will work on a contingency fee structure. This means they do the work upfront and receive a percentage of what is recovered. If they do not recover compensation for you, there are no fees for their work.
However, some firms may charge for additional fees or incidentals such as records, cost of witnesses, or costs incurred during the investigation outside of the cost of their time, so it is important to be clear on how they charge to avoid surprises.
Who Will Handle My Case?
Some firms have a large team including several case managers or paralegals, while others are staffed with only attorneys and maybe an administrative position. When you work with a larger firm, you may do most of your communication with a paralegal without ever truly speaking with the attorney. This might be fine in some cases, but others may prefer a more personal touch by knowing they can speak with the person working on their case.
How Do You Handle Communication?
Communication can be a source of stress in most relationships, but not one you want with your attorney. Some firms may work on a ‘need to know’ basis, where they only update you when there is something to update, while others may send monthly updates, whether your case has seen significant changes or not. Whether you like constant communication or only want to know when there are changes, this is something to discuss with any lawyers you interview.
What is the Value of My Case?
In many ways, this may be a trick question. The value of a settlement is very nuanced and can be increased or decreased based on several factors. If you ask your attorney about the value in an initial consultation and they confidently give you a specific number, this may be a red flag. An experienced attorney may be able to provide you with a general idea of what you could expect as well as what may impact your case. A clear understanding of your case value requires them to review all of the facts of your case, including the identification of recoverable damages. A reputable attorney will often explain this to you or may be hesitant to provide specific numbers at all at your initial visit.