Preparation is essential in order to have a productive and informative initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Below are a few items that will provide valuable information to help an attorney evaluate your case. Consider obtaining these items as soon as possible prior to your meeting.
Medical Records
You have a right under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to access, review and keep a copy of your medical records. Bringing a copy with you can allow the lawyer to review doctors’ notes and other health information related to the injury.
Related Medical Bills, Lost Wages and Other Expenses
The amount of damages awarded in a personal injury lawsuit could largely depend on medial bills and out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury. Bring bills and related receipts for the attorney to review. Bring prior paystubs if the accident caused you to miss work or made you unable to work.
Questions
A few good questions to ask a lawyer include:
- How much experience does your firm have in representing people with injuries similar to mine?
- Does your firm have the financial resources to take a serious injury case to trial?
- Who will I be communicating with about my case?
- What is your legal fee? How is the fee determined?
Correspondence with the Other Party
Bring copies of any mail, legal documents, texts, voicemails and/or online messages you have received from the person who injured you.
Photos of the Incident and/or Injuries
Photos can further illustrate the magnitude of the incident and the injuries that resulted.
Police Report
If the police were involved – as with a car accident – a police report should be available.
Insurance Information
Bringing your insurance policy with you can allow your lawyer to help determine which expenses are covered by insurance.
Being prepared gives your attorney a clearer picture of your situation and can help the legal process start immediately. Contact Anapol Weiss for assistance if you were harmed as a result of someone else’s negligence. The initial consultation is free and only takes a moment of your time, but it could be the first step toward getting answers and obtaining justice.