It is time for a bit of unvarnished truth. Attorneys that claim they got “x” millions on a case or “y” results for a certain injury are not providing full disclosure and risk misleading people on the value of their own case. First off, no two cases are alike. Every case is different because every person is different, every injury is different, and every liability fact pattern is different. Also, the simple fact of the matter is that, three things must coincide in order to maximize recovery in any injury case: (1) The injury and treatment; (2) Liability and Defendants’ conduct – a violation of the safety rules and how that came to be; and (3) Insurance or assets sufficient to pay for (1) and (2).
Just a couple of examples: I settled a concussion case for 1.5 million, but there were no images (mri, etc.) that confirmed the existence of any brain damage. About the same time, a similar case (medically) received a $500,000.00 verdict, which was applauded by other plaintiff’s attorneys nationwide. The real difference between the two was the strength of liability. I had better liability facts, which we had worked very hard to discover and demonstrate. Because of this, the two cases were not similar enough for comparison, even though the injuries were. Likewise, a fellow attorney was bragging to an insurance defense attorney about a large settlement he had received in the past. However, the defense attorney knew specifics about it and basically told the other lawyer that he had had a claim for four dead children (the parents had survived) and a huge liability policy that could pay that much. Unfortunately, many times there is death or catastrophic injury and the at fault party does not have adequate insurance or resources to pay out a substantial recovery. This is one reason I advise people to get uninsured / underinsured motorists coverage on their auto policies (as much as they can afford). A $25,000.00 minimum liability limits policy is simply not enough for any serious injury in a car wreck.
Having recovered millions for my past clients, we work extremely hard to maximize the value of every case. You should have an attorney willing not only to do that, but who is also willing to spend the money and resources in order to fully develop the case facts and damages. Many plaintiff’s lawyers are only after the “low hanging fruit”, which is to say cases that are easy to get some money on. Likewise, many plaintiffs’ lawyers will not spend the money it takes to properly work up a case. When things get difficult, those lawyers pull out and move on or, even worse, do next to nothing. Many times, I have taken cases where other lawyers have pulled out or done little to nothing. After proper work, I can think of many such cases that I took to conclusion and my clients were able to pay off their mortgages, or pay cash for a house, or were able to pay for their children’s college. Time, money, hard work and creativity can go a long way.
Make no mistake, the highest quality legal representation almost always requires an attorney’s own personal sacrifice. I have been making such sacrifices throughout my entire legal career. It is a privilege to practice law and to be able to help people. I take it all extremely serious, because I figure people deserve to be treated like that. I treat people like they truly matter, because they do. It is both a privilege and an honor to be able to bring power to bear when it can help folks out. If I can help to change a life, or punish a bad actor, or prevent future harm to others, then I am “all in”. Just yesterday, a lady came in to sign documents concluding her case and was happy because she said she could pay off her debts and pay for her daughter’s college. It was the first time I had ever seen her smile or heard her speak positively about the future. Helping her to manage and overcome the stress she had been under was both an honor and a privilege – and that’s why I do what I do. It is a passion. I try to be the lawyer who I would want to represent myself or my own family member. It is a very simple philosophy: Treat others the way you wish to be treated. The Golden Rule we all learned as children is a lesson we should follow and insist that others follow as well.
When my clients and I are on the same page and working as a unified front, insurance companies and their lawyers certainly know that. They also know when a lawyer will not ever file a lawsuit and, regarding those that do file lawsuits, they know which ones will never take a case to trial. They know who is lazy and who is not. That knowledge effects case value as well.
If you have been injured or suffered the loss of a loved one, call me. If I can help you out, I will certainly be honored to agree to do so. (229) 299-8200. Come meet with me or I can go to you. Our talk is free.