A premises liability attorney in Houston can be a valuable asset if you slip and fall or otherwise suffer an injury on another’s property. To make sure you have the right lawyer representing you, you should know what questions to ask during your initial consultation.
5 Questions You Should Ask Your Premises Liability Lawyer
The answers to these five questions can give you a good idea of whether a particular lawyer is the right choice for you:
1. What Kind of Experience Do You Have With Premises Liability Cases?
Premises liability cases are a type of personal injury claim. However, not all personal injury lawyers are experienced in premises liability law. It is important to seek representation from a lawyer familiar with the peculiarities of these lawsuits. This familiarity can help them address and overcome common challenges and issues.
When evaluating an attorney’s experience, consider not only the number of years they have handled premises liability cases but also how recently they have taken them. Laws can change, and an attorney with recent experience representing clients like you is better prepared to provide you with accurate procedural and substantive advice.
2. How Will You Assess the Value of My Claim?
Your claim’s value is the amount of compensation you can expect for your economic and non-economic losses. Medical bills, lost wages, and therapy expenses are all recoverable costs, as are your pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life. However, different premises liability lawyers can arrive at different values for the same case.
The attorney should provide you with a general monetary value for your claim and explain the process they used to arrive at that figure. In addition to bills and wage statements, your attorney may consider potential legal challenges in your case, their experience with similar cases, and how quickly you want to resolve your case.
If you disagree with how the attorney arrived at your case’s value, consider hiring another attorney.
3. What Kinds of Evidence Can Be Used to Support My Claim?
You may remember your accident with perfect clarity. However, the more objective evidence you have available to corroborate your claims, the more likely it is your claim will succeed. Your premises liability lawyer must investigate your claim to discover what evidence and witnesses are available to support your case.
In your premises liability case, there may be eyewitnesses who saw you get hurt, who spoke with the property owner about your incident, or who reported a hazard before your accident. A thorough lawyer might collect video or photographic evidence, incident reports from other accidents, or photographs of the scene before it was cleaned up.
Your attorney should share the evidence and witnesses they have discovered through their investigation. They should also tell you how they plan to use these resources to support your case.
4. What Are Potential Challenges That Could Arise in My Case?
Most civil lawsuits, including premises liability cases, present challenges that threaten the plaintiff’s ability to recover compensation. These can include witnesses who are not available, evidence that is lost or destroyed, or inconclusive video surveillance footage. Ask your lawyer to explain what issues may arise in your case and how they plan to overcome them.
A competent attorney who has reviewed your case thoroughly should be able to identify these potential bumps in your road to recovery. Learning about them before they materialize can help you temper your expectations and assure you your lawyer is prepared to address them if they surface.
5. What Kinds of Legal Fees and Costs Should I Expect?
A premises liability lawyer should explain how much their services will cost, how they collect their fees, and what other expenses you can anticipate. Many premises liability lawyers use a contingency fee arrangement where their fees are tied to the compensation they recover. However, other attorneys may use different fee structures.
While your attorney’s fees comprise a large portion of the total cost of your case, there are other potential expenses you could face. You might have to pay the case filing fee, expert witness fees, or the costs of copying documents and videos. Depending on how complex your case is, these expenses can quickly add up.
You deserve to know how much legal representation will cost. Before retaining their services, do not hesitate to ask a premises liability lawyer this crucial question.
FAQ
Do All Premises Liability Attorneys Charge the Same for Their Services?
No. Premises liability lawyers’ fees and the costs they require their clients to cover vary from one attorney to the next. Before hiring a lawyer, ask about their fees, how they will collect them, and whether you are responsible for other litigation costs. Do not hire an attorney if you do not agree with their fee structure or prices.
When Should I Ask My Lawyer Questions About My Case?
Before hiring a premises liability attorney, you can prepare a list of questions to ask them during your first meeting. If you hire them, you should continue to have an open and ongoing dialogue about your case. As issues or questions arise, your attorney should be willing to address them promptly.
How Soon Must I Contact a Premises Liability Attorney?
In Texas, you have two years from the date of your slip and fall, dog bite, or other injury accident to file a premises liability lawsuit. Thus, you should act quickly in contacting potential lawyers and deciding who is best suited to represent you.
Why Choose the Ramsey Law Group?
The Ramsey Law Group’s premises liability lawyers have over 20 years of experience representing injury victims. If you have been hurt on another person's property, our team could help you obtain compensation for your losses and expenses. Contact the Ramsey Law Group today and schedule a consultation to get started.