Slip and Fall Attorney: Get These Answers Before Hiring

If you've been in an accident you think may be due to someone else's negligence, you may have the right to file suit for compensation. To do so effectively, you'll need the help of a good slip and fall attorney. Working under the broader spectrum of personal injury law, these lawyers will have the necessary qualifications and experience to get the results you need. Of course, that's only if you pick the right one. Don't make the mistake of assuming every lawyer is the same. Just as in any area, there are good lawyers and there are bad ones. Here are some answers you should seek to make sure you're getting a good one.

Qualifications

It may seem ridiculous to suggest that someone advertising as a slip and fall attorney wouldn't have the requisite qualifications to handle a case where you did, in fact, have just such an accident. But it isn't ridiculous. Much like an M.D. in any state can perform nearly any surgery they wish to try their hand at, a lawyer is not limited to practicing only one type of law. While most choose to specialize, there are others who consider themselves something of a jack-of-all-trades. This is not the type of lawyer you want. Find someone who has worked and built their career and practice on the type of case you're presenting them with.

Fees

There's no reason why you should be expected to pay your slip and fall attorney a dime out of your own pocket. Most good lawyers in this field will be happy to work on a contingency basis, meaning they collect their fees as a percentage of the eventual judgment or settlement. If you don't win the case, they worked for free. This is simply how it is. You won't have to look hard to find lawyers who don't work by this type of agreement, but you should avoid them. A good lawyer will be confident enough in their skills and the merits of your case to work on the traditionally accepted fee schedule.

History

You wouldn't simply take a contractor's claim that he is the best in the business as the golden word, so why do that with a slip and fall attorney? Make them prove their qualifications and history to you. If they can't, do your own research. Contact the state bar association and find out if he has ever been the subject of professional discipline. Do some research online and find out what you can. There is a world of information at your fingertips, so don't hesitate to use it.