Many people who are injured through no fault of their own have minimal or no experience working with lawyers or navigating the legal system. Almost all have never had to hire a lawyer before. While the lucky few may receive a recommendation from a trusted friend or family member, most clients will have to search the internet for a lawyer to handle their personal injury case. This can be a daunting task with pages and pages of lawyers and attorneys all claiming to be experts or the best. Simply put, it may be difficult for someone with a serious personal injury case to find a highly-regarded and experienced law firm that can effectively handle the case and obtain the most successful result.
What should I watch out for?
Some law firms employ “marketing traps” that clients with a personal injury case should avoid when choosing an attorney. An attorney or law firm that is placed near the top of an internet search does not necessarily mean that the lawyer or firm is reputable or experienced. There are many lawyers and firms that pay for search result placement or created content on their websites to drive traffic to them (for example, legal websites that list counties and major cities in Massachusetts or excessively use “key words” on web pages). The same is true for billboards, radio, and TV ads – the fact that a lawyer or law firm is willing to pay for legal advertising does not mean that the client is getting the best representation possible. Firms employ online reviews as a way to boost rankings and online prominence, but potential clients have no way of knowing whether these reviews are paid for in some way, shape or form.
Law firms and attorneys sometimes claim to be a leader or expert in personal injury law, but there are many that do not actually litigate cases. Some settle to avoid the courtroom, some bring in other lawyers to try the case in front a of a jury and others simply refer the client to a different firm while reaping a referral fee if the case is successful.
What should I look for?
If at all possible, potential clients should seek out and research any lawyer or law firm’s reputation and experience from any available outside source, whether through word-of-mouth information or feedback from former clients and other lawyers. A potential client looking to hire an attorney should ask whether a firm actually litigates cases and the types and complexity of the cases that the firm’s lawyers handle, among other questions. A client would also be wise to research whether a firm’s lawyers have been recognized by or included in legal organizations such as Super Lawyers, the American College of Trial Lawyers or the American Board of Trial Advocates – inclusion in each is voted on by an attorney’s peers and none require payment to be included or inducted. For complex and serious cases, a potential client also must make a decision about whether a law firm or lawyer has both the means and staff required to properly litigate a case all the way through trial.
SUGARMAN attorneys have decades of experience advocating for injured persons to ensure they recover maximum damages. If you or a loved one has suffered injury as the result of an accident, you may be entitled to compensation. To learn more, speak to one of our principals today by calling 617-542-1000 or email us at info@sugarman.com.
