How do you pick the right Lawyer?

[ralphb1983@yahoo.com]

I have a lawyer, but they seem to be to busy for me. I've seen there commercials on TV my whole life so I picked them. Bad choice I know seeing that I've never even spoken to an attorney just there paralegals. I live in Los Angeles county CA if anyone knows a good one. The only thing is I like the doctor they gave me. Would I have to just deal with them because of that? Any advise would be helpful. Thanks in advance. BTW I'm new to this forum.

[bodybuilder1958]

Hi Ralph,

Welcome to the forum.
First, never ever pick a TV lawyer, I've met a couple of people who live in my area who chose such a lawyer and they found out really quick that it was more about 'them' than the client. How far are you into your case? Has everything you've asked for been granted? Does your lawyer's office respond appropriately to your concerns? Do your calls get answered?

Be careful about switching, any other law firm will split the awards, not too many firms like that. Ask around the forum for other members that live in your area. Interview any prospective lawyers like you were the boss, ask alot of questions. Look at the 'find a lawyer' section of this forum. Go in with a plan, ask the right questions, leave if you're not happy.

I switched lawyers a couple of years ago because my case had basically died because my lawyer felt like we had hit a road block and it was over with. Well that was fine for him but I could barely walk. So I found a good friend who recommended her lawyer to me, I met with him and I switched. I wanted my lawyer to pay for an IME and I would pay for an MRI with the hopes of getting a total knee done. He agreed to pay for the IME and I did the MRI, 15 months after I switched lawyers I had my total knee done.

Bodybuilder1958

[Bummer Knees]

I was injured in 2005, five month after the injury I received medical treatment, a failed knee surgery. Three months after the surgery I had been placed at MMI, my case was closed along with the medical, my employer refused to work me, and I would not walk more than a few steps with out the knee giving away. Up to this point I did not have an attorney.

I decided it would be in my best interest to hire an attorney, and spoke with a couple of injured workers who had attorneys, I asked questions if they were happy with their attorney, did their attorney return phone call.

I called the office of the two different attornys, made appointments to meet in their office. The first attorney I did not like. The second attorney I liked, he explained things to me in a language I could understand. I signed on with the attorney, one thing I like about this attorney is in most cases he will return my phone call the same day unless he is out of town.

[1171]

(11-11-2011 09:23 PM)ralphb1983@yahoo.com Wrote:  I have a lawyer, but they seem to be to busy for me. I've seen there commercials on TV my whole life so I picked them. Bad choice I know seeing that I've never even spoken to an attorney just there paralegals. I live in Los Angeles county CA if anyone knows a good one. The only thing is I like the doctor they gave me. Would I have to just deal with them because of that? Any advise would be helpful. Thanks in advance. BTW I'm new to this forum.

the best source is one that specializes in workers comp:
try Caaa.org
workers comp fees are limited to 12-15% which is less then half of what civil court pays so they have to use a lot of para-legal and legal secretaries to handle the office stuff while they are in court most of the time.
more here:
http://research.lawyers.com/Selecting-A-Lawyer.html

[Woodlawn]

In LA county, I would probably recommend Rose, Klein, and Marias

http://www.rkmlaw.net/

I've spent plenty of years fighting against various attorneys, and this particular firm does seem to have their client's best interest in mind, rather than seeing you as $$$. Also, because they are a larger firm, they are better equipped to handle the volume and there's a very good chance you might actually get to speak to your attorney.

[ralphb1983@yahoo.com]

I do regret my choice and I'll actually do some research this time. I'm not sure why you had to pay for your own MRI, how come your company did not pick up the tab? I hope that does not happen to me. Its hard enough to live in CA married with 3 kids making waaaay less money than I used to. As for my attorney they don't return any or my calls, they've really never even spoke to me. They seemed awesome before I signed up with them but now they seem not to care about me. Thanks for the quick response.

[Cervical_Fusion]

I was lucky when I found my Attorney. We have an attorney who lives one block down from me, my kids went to shcool with his kids. So when I needed a WC attonrey I called him and got him to recomend a WC attorney for me. Turns out who he suggested for me was an Attorney who lives around the corner from me. My attoney does not have an office directly in the town we live in, his practice is in the next town north about 30 miles from my house. His practice has been great and they have my interest at heart and I am not just money for them. They have been great. I would suggest you talk around your neighborhood and see if you can get lucky from suggestions from friends and neighbors. Worked for me I could not ask for anyone better.

[ralphb1983@yahoo.com]

Thanks for all your comments, I'm going with Woodlawns suggestion. I've spoke with there office and they seem like good people. You all have been very helpful.

[bodybuilder1958]

(11-12-2011 05:48 PM)ralphb1983@yahoo.com Wrote:  I do regret my choice and I'll actually do some research this time. I'm not sure why you had to pay for your own MRI, how come your company did not pick up the tab? I hope that does not happen to me. Its hard enough to live in CA married with 3 kids making waaaay less money than I used to. As for my attorney they don't return any or my calls, they've really never even spoke to me. They seemed awesome before I signed up with them but now they seem not to care about me. Thanks for the quick response.

I paid for my own MRI to prove that I needed continued care and a TKR. The cost was more than worth it. I worked for the largest health care organization in the nation, they're hard to fight.