Torn Or Stained

By Nicholas Nielen


New lawyers sometimes are too excited to accept cases that they run the risk of being called the "Ambulance Chasers." The following pointers are adapted from Jay G. Foonberg's book How to Start and Build Law Practice:Advise your prospective clients to engage you as soon as possible and often when you are meeting with the potential client and / or their family initially. In order to verify that there is need for representation and to protect a client's interest, work will need to begin as immediately as possible. You should also instruct your client to consult with you before discussing the case with anyone regarding facts and possible fault, with the possible exception of police officers.

Third-party witnesses must be interviewed as soon as. The scene of the accident must be reviewed and photograph before it is altered. Remind your client that torn and blood-stained garments or other evidences must not be thrown away at the hospital. Bruises and other physical manifestations of the injury must be photographed immediately. Interviews should be conducted as soon as possible with third party witnesses. Before there are any changes, there should be review and photography done at the scene of the accident. The potential client should retain any of the garments that they were wearing at the time of the accident, even if they are torn or stained with blood.

Any ancillary or disinterested witnesses need to be interviewed as soon as practicable. Accident sites need to be visited and documented photographically before any changes, repairs, or distortions occur. Be sure that the client understands not to allow damaged, dirty or blood-stained clothing or evidence to be discarded by medical responders. Any outward evidence of injuries, including bruises, scratches and the like, must be chronicled in photographs right away.

Any insurance company will be seeking to defend claims for damages as opposed to pay out for the person's injuries, and the potential client should understand that this is the insurance company's first concern. The client should be advised that they can expect a letter of claim and must acknowledge that they have received it within 21 days and this letter starts the timetable. A copy should be sent on to the insurance company and the letter of claim should arrive in duplicate. The client should completely and thoroughly review any medical records for accuracy and completeness. Medical records should be given the appropriate amount of time and consideration.

Medical records should be given the appropriate amount of time and consideration. Reports from doctors will be held in higher esteem by an insurance company than a report received by another medical professional who is not a physician.




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