Personal Injury Attorneys — Frequently Asked Questions From Referring Attorneys

When you refer a client to a personal injury law firm, you are putting your reputation on the line. You want to know who will be handling the case, how your client will be treated, and what the financial arrangement looks like. These are the questions we hear most often from referring attorneys, answered directly.

Our personal injury lawyers have handled plaintiffs’ cases exclusively for decades. Every case we accept gets the attention of an experienced partner, and every client is treated with the same level of care and communication we would want for ourselves. If you have additional questions after reading through this FAQ, call us directly — we welcome the conversation.

Common Questions From Referring Attorneys

Is there a consultation fee?

No. There is never an upfront fee to discuss a case with us. We work exclusively on a contingency fee basis, which means we are paid only when we recover compensation — either through a settlement or a jury verdict. In standard personal injury cases, the contingency fee is 33⅓ percent of the recovery. In medical malpractice cases, the fee follows the sliding scale set by the state legislature: 30 percent on the first $250,000 recovered, 25 percent on the next $250,000, 20 percent on the next $500,000, with the percentage continuing to decrease as the total recovery grows. More on this website

Does the client have to pay case expenses out of pocket?

No. Our firm advances all case expenses — court filing fees, expert witness fees, investigative costs, medical record retrieval, and all other disbursements required to properly prepare and prosecute the case. At the conclusion of the case, we are reimbursed for those expenses from the recovery. The client will receive a complete, itemized accounting of all disbursements so there are no surprises. We keep expenses reasonable and incur only what is genuinely necessary to build the strongest possible case.

How long will the case take?

We have every incentive to resolve cases efficiently — for our clients and for our practice. We do not let cases sit. Because we are selective about the cases we accept, we can give each one the dedicated attention it needs to move forward without unnecessary delays. That said, the timeline depends on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and how the defense responds. We will keep your client informed throughout and set realistic expectations from the start.

Who will actually be handling the case?

A partner is personally responsible for every case in our office — not just in an oversight capacity, but in the day-to-day management of the file, client communications, and strategic decisions. Your client will not be handed off to a junior associate and left to wonder what is happening with their case.

Do you have experience with this type of case?

We handle personal injury and medical malpractice cases exclusively, and have done so for over 30 years. Our named partners have spent their entire careers representing plaintiffs in these practice areas. We take only cases we are confident we can handle with a high level of skill, which means we sometimes decline cases that are not the right fit rather than overcommit and underdeliver.

Who pays the client’s medical bills during the case?

In many situations, medical bills can be covered through existing insurance — no-fault coverage in auto accident cases, workers’ compensation when the injury occurred on the job, or personal health insurance for premises liability injuries. We will work aggressively to maximize the use of available insurance coverage to keep your client’s out-of-pocket medical expenses as low as possible while the case is pending.

How much is the case worth?

We are honest with referring attorneys and with clients about this: it is impossible to give a meaningful valuation early in the case because the client’s medical condition is still evolving. Many of our cases produce six- or seven-figure results, but the actual value depends on the nature and permanence of the injuries, liability strength, available insurance coverage, and other factors that take time to fully develop. We will keep you and your client updated as the picture becomes clearer and discuss case value at the appropriate time.

What will be expected of the client?

Clients help their own cases by following a few basic guidelines: do not discuss the accident or injuries with anyone outside our office; keep accurate records of all days missed from work due to the injuries; hold onto copies of all medical bills, hospital records, and prescription receipts; preserve any photographs of injuries, the accident scene, or vehicle damage; provide us with W-2s, 1099s, and tax returns as needed; and notify us immediately of any change in address or phone number. The more organized and communicative a client is, the smoother the case goes.

Will I receive a referral fee?

Yes. We deeply appreciate the trust you show by referring clients to our firm, and we honor referral fee arrangements fully in accordance with applicable ethical rules. Every arrangement is put in writing so that both parties have a clear, documented record of the agreement.

Will my client be well represented?

That is the commitment we make to every client and every referring attorney. We treat every client the way we would want to be treated if we were in their position. We are also mindful that referred clients have an existing relationship with you, and we make every effort to protect that relationship through honest communication, responsive service, and consistent results. Contact us today to discuss a case or to learn more about working with our personal injury lawyers on a referral basis.