What Questions Can I Expect at My Personal Injury Consultation?

In the aftermath of a personal injury or wrongful death, victims and their families can find their lives turned upside down.  The weeks, months, and even years following an injury can be hectic, stressful, and confusing.  Even the process of consulting with a personal injury attorney is stressful for some clients because, prior to their accident, they have never spoken to a lawyer.  If you are one of these people, we want to help put you at ease with a list of some basic questions that you will hear during your consultation, regardless of how your injury occurred.

When were you injured?—Whether you were injured in a motor vehicle accident or because of medical malpractice, your attorney will need to know when your injury occurred to calculate how long you have to file a lawsuit.

What happened?—This one seems obvious, but it can be a major point of anxiety for some.  Your consultation is a conversation, not an interrogation.  Your lawyer can better help you if you simply tell your story truthfully, and allow him or her to stop you when necessary to ask about the details.

How badly were you hurt?—In other words, what are the extent of your injuries?  Do not make anything up but do not leave anything out.

What prior injuries/conditions have you had?—Do not hide prior injuries from your attorney.  If you consult a personal injury attorney about a back injury, and you had a prior back injury, that is okay.  You can still recover for your new injury or for aggravation of your existing condition.  The important point is that you apprise your legal counsel of your full history.

Did you miss work because of your injuries?—A surprisingly large number of people are unaware that they can be compensated for lost wages, but this is actually a very common element of the damages in a personal injury case.

Do you have any documents/photographs/bills/receipts?—Before you meet with your personal injury attorney, make a folder or file of all of the papers associated with your injury or subsequent treatment, and bring that file to your attorney’s office.  This will give your attorney a more complete picture of your case and potentially minimize delays in reaching a settlement.

If you or a loved one have been injured due to an auto defect, workplace accident, or construction site accident, contact the Cleveland, Ohio personal injury lawyers at Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA for a free telephone consultation.