Finding the right lawyer to help with your compensation claim can be tricky, especially if you have never needed a lawyer before. There are so many compensation and personal injury lawyers out there, all claiming to be the best, making it feel impossible to narrow your search and find the right option. But it doesn’t need to be this way! Our brief guide outlines the 5 features and factors you need to consider when choosing your compensation lawyer to ensure they are right for you and your case.
1. Do they have experience in handling similar cases?
When choosing a compensation lawyer, you want to be sure they have experience in cases similar to yours. Compensation lawyers is a broad term, covering everything from car accidents to workplace injuries, so be sure the lawyer you choose has experience in your case. Many compensation lawyers will have specialist areas they focus on, so you can easily narrow your search. When contacting a law firm, they will usually have different departments filled with experienced lawyers, so make sure you are put through to the relevant team.
When speaking to your potential lawyer before moving forward, ask them about the experience they have had with similar cases. You want to find out how many similar cases they have dealt with in recent years and the outcome of these cases. Ideally, you want a lawyer with a high success rate who will ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
2. Do they have the necessary qualifications?
Qualifications, along with experience, are essential features your compensation lawyer needs to have. Most lawyers will have details of their qualifications listed on their website or visible in their offices, making it easy for you to check that your lawyer is qualified. You can also ask them directly about the qualifications they have that make them right for handling your case. They might have continued their studies and specialised further in compensation law or be undertaking other relevant training courses. Don’t be afraid to ask these questions, as any reputable lawyer will be happy to answer them!
3. How do they communicate with you?
How a lawyer communicates with you is vital to the success of your case and your peace of mind. For most lawyers, yours won’t be the only case they are handling, and they will likely be busy. Ask them to manage your expectations from the get-go about how they will communicate with you and how frequently you can expect this communication. You don’t want to be emailing them for weeks and getting nothing but silence back, especially if the court date is approaching.
Most reputable lawyers will inform you early on how frequently you can expect to hear from them and the preferred method of contact.
In some cases, a lawyer will start with excellent communication, but drop off once they have received payment. The best way to avoid this is to check reviews from other customers to see if they have had similar experiences. When working with a law firm, this is less likely to happen as there will be plenty of people to answer the phone and provide assistance.
4. Do they have positive customer reviews?
Customer reviews are an excellent way to see if a lawyer is the right choice for you. Positive customer reviews or testimonials will show you if people are happy with the service they have received. You can find customer reviews on a lawyer’s website or independent review sites, like Trust Pilot. When reading reviews, remember to take them with a pinch of salt, as some will exaggerate the situation.
If you can’t find reviews for the lawyer, you can ask them directly about customer testimonials. Many will share testimonials from their previous customers with you, giving you a better understanding of the service to expect and whether others think they provide value for money.
5. Do they offer ‘no win, no fee’ guarantees?
When choosing compensation lawyers, ask about their no win, no fee services. Many compensation lawyers will work on a no win, no fee basis, where if your case is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay. These offer less risk for you and can be a good choice if you have a tight budget. Before moving forward on a no win, no fee basis, make sure there are no hidden fees that you will need to pay. Sometimes you can be left with legal fees to pay or court fees, which can be expensive.
You should also check to see what fees you will need to pay if your case is successful. Some lawyers will charge a flat fee, while others will charge a percentage based on the compensation you are awarded. Make sure you are aware of what you could pay before you move forward.
Find your compensation lawyer in the Sunshine Coast today
By using our list, you can easily narrow down your choices and find the perfect compensation lawyer for your case. There are many compensation lawyers to choose from across the Sunshine Coast, but we recommend checking out Smith’s Lawyers. Their team of dedicated lawyers will work with you to ensure you get the outcome you want, with a no-win, no-fee guarantee. Speak to Smith’s Lawyers on the Sunshine Coast to find your compensation lawyer today.
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