If you have suffered an injury due to the negligent actions of another person, you may be interested in making a compensation claim with a compensation lawyer. Compensation claims can refer to a number of different schemes and types of claims, created to protect individuals who have been harmed.
It is important to consult with a compensation lawyer so that you know which area your claim falls under and what is required for you to make a successful claim. To have the best chance of making a successful compensation claim you should hire a compensation lawyer immediately.
Read on to learn more about when to hire a compensation lawyer and what you need to know.
You need to choose a compensation lawyer who specialises in your type of claim
Compensation law covers a wide range of areas, so not every compensation lawyer will have experience dealing with your particular claim. Make sure you research compensation lawyers and choose a compensation lawyer that specialises in your claim type. Common claims that compensation lawyers deal with include:
- Personal injury;
- Motor vehicle accident;
- Public liability;
- Workers compensation;
- Medical negligence.
Make sure you have an initial consultation with your compensation lawyer so that you can discuss your case and see how they plan to handle it. You should be mindful of hiring a compensation lawyer who does not have experience in your type of claim as this may reduce your chances of making a successful claim. Choose a compensation lawyer who has dealt with similar cases before and is confident they can give you a successful outcome.
No win, no fee lawyers
It is important to know what a no win, no fee guarantee means before you enter into an agreement with your compensation lawyer. No win, no fee is an agreement that allows individuals to access legal assistance without paying any costly legal fees upfront.
If a lawyer believes there is a realistic chance of winning your case, they will usually allow you to enter into a now win, no fee agreement. This means that your legal fees are paid at the conclusion of your case, and only if your case is successful. If your case is unsuccessful, you may still have to pay some legal fees. However, they will be far less than the amount you would have been charged if your case was successful.
Reputation
Before you choose a compensation lawyer, make sure they have a good reputation. Most compensation claims are settled before they have to go to court, so it is important that your lawyer has experience negotiated and dealing with insurance companies. A compensation lawyer with a good name in the community will have better reviews from past clients, so make sure you check out previous testimonials to see if your lawyer is well regarded.
Try to avoid compensation lawyers that do not seem to have good feedback from clients or have no feedback available. This can point to inexperience or poor quality of work. You can do some research online about your lawyer and see if anyone has left any good reviews. The opinions of past clients are important because they can give you some insight into the type of person you will be working with.
Ask questions
Now you know when to hire a compensation lawyer for your case, be sure to ask plenty of questions of them. This is the best way to find out if they are right for you. An experienced compensation lawyer should be able to provide you clear and detailed answers about anything regarding your case. Watch out for compensation lawyers who avoid questions or give you vague answers. You should ask questions regarding the process, how long it will take, what is required of you, what you can be compensated for and what is your chance of success. Be sure to ask your compensation lawyer about their past experiences with similar cases (e.g. have they dealt with a personal injury claim before and whether it was successful).
Hire a compensation lawyer if you feel 100% satisfied after a consultation and you feel confident that they will be able to handle your case well. Usually, you can get a good idea of what your compensation lawyer is like upon meeting face-to-face. Be sure to pay attention to their personality and see if they seem confident, knowledgeable and easy to communicate with. These are the characteristics you want in your compensation lawyer, especially because you will be working with them until your case is settled.
If you are thinking about hiring a compensation lawyer, contact Schreuders today.