Why You NEED an attorney

One of our friends and colleagues, Ken Levinson, who concentrates his practice in the area of chid safety, makes a convincing case in his recent blog post of The Safest Line for why you should not try the go it alone approach in attempting to navigate the insurance claims process. I think I have tooted the same horn many times myself in this space and elsewhere but this article, which is copied in it's entirety below, reiterates many of my main reasons. Could not have said it better myself! The Safest Line From My Desk: Child Injury Case Myths Posted: 01 Aug 2011 06:57 AM PDT “I Don’t Need A Lawyer” One of the most common misconceptions about how injury cases or claims work is that you don’t need a lawyer. People hear about trial lawyers getting most of the money, how long it takes to recover when “the lawyers get brought in,” or that lawyers get involved just to make a point. What people often don’t hear is that the insurance company – the one that almost always pays the settlement or jury verdict – has a team of corporate lawyers working for it (and against you) from the very beginning. Insurance adjustors are trained by the insurance lawyers on numerous questionable frivolous excuses and delay tactics. When you talk to the insurance adjustor, who seems to “really understand” your child’s case, be aware that his or her primary job is to pay as little money as possible. And when the insurance company knows that you don’t have a lawyer protecting your child’s rights, he or she will sound like your best friend. When it knows that you don’t have an attorney fighting for you and your child, the adjustor will tell you that an offer is “just around the corner.” And when the insurance company knows that you’re waiting for the offer so you can pay those medical bills, you can rest assured that they will offer you a lowball amount that is likely well below what is considered fair and reasonable. The insurance company would love nothing more than to convince you that you don’t need to hire a lawyer because you’re getting a “very fair” offer. Having an experienced child injury attorney will ensure that the insurance company won’t take advantage of you. An attorney will know the law for your state, what your rights are, and what a fair amount is for the harm done to your child. Having practiced for nearly twenty years, I have seen too many families who have come to me after already accepting a settlement with the insurance company that is far below what they should have received. Offers that don’t take into account future medical treatment. Offers that don’t take into account your or your child’s pain, suffering, and disability. And offers that don’t take into account the changes to your or your child’s life brought about by the injuries. If you are ever in the unfortunate situation where your child is injured due to the carelessness of another, please contact an experienced child injury attorney early in the process to make sure and insurance company doesn’t take advantage of you and your family.