If you work at sea and have suffered an injury while doing so, then you’re likely going to be looking for an attorney to help you win compensation for your injuries. You’re also probably going to be cautious about who you’re hiring. If you’re looking at Houston personal injury lawyers and maritime and offshore attorneys, then you should be looking for several qualities in them. Below, you’ll read over what those qualities are.
8 Qualities to Look for When Hiring Offshore Liability and Houston Personal Injury Lawyers
1. Specialised Experience
You wouldn’t see a heart surgeon about a broken ankle, so don’t see an attorney who isn’t an expert on maritime law if you’re dealing with an offshore injury. Always ensure you work with somebody specializing in maritime and offshore liability so you know you’re working with the best person for the job.
There are “general practice” lawyers who may be able to handle your claim, but you’ll never do better than maritime and offshore injury lawyers in Houston. General attorneys simply don’t have enough experience dealing with maritime laws and the Jones Act to be the best choice for you.
2. Courtroom Experience
Not all maritime injury lawsuits will have to enter the courtroom. Sometimes you’ll be able to win a settlement through negotiations with the liable party’s insurance company. However, sometimes the insurance company will try to pick apart every little thing you say in your claim, and they’ll refuse to settle. Therefore, you’ll have to take your case to court.
This is why your attorney needs experience arguing cases in the courtroom effectively. If you’re attempting to hire an attorney with minimal courtroom experience, then you should be concerned about how well they’ll be able to work on your case.
3. Empathy
You very likely suffered some emotional trauma if you were severely injured. A lawyer who lacks empathy may not take your emotional wounds into account when calculating how big a settlement you could win. They may also ignore when you need to take a moment or two to compose your emotions when working together.
This isn’t someone you should be working with after a traumatic experience. You need somebody who makes you feel heard and comfortable after what you’ve gone through.
4. Extensive Resources
Your attorney may know the law well, but that doesn’t mean they can dig into your case and form a solid argument on their own. They may need to consult a medical professional to help evaluate your injuries. Getting a medical assessment from an unbiased medical expert can help prove your injuries came as a result of your accident.
Your attorney may also need to contact maritime workers, investigators, and other people that may be able to help build your case. Essentially, your attorney needs a network of contacts who can help them with your case to give you the best shot at winning.
5. A Fair Way of Charging
Many attorneys bill by the hour or by the session. Maritime and offshore liability attorneys usually work on a contingency fee basis. This is when your attorney’s payment is taken out of your settlement. Always ensure your attorney charges in this manner when you’re dealing with an offshore injury liability case.
Any attorney working under the umbrella of personal injury law should ideally charge in this manner. This includes slip and fall lawyers, Houston car accident attorneys, and the greatest work injury attorneys Houston has got.
6. Good Work Ethic
Working on maritime cases is no easy task. Your attorney will need to be driven and determined enough to spend significant time putting together your case. Don’t hire an attorney who seems to be doing the bare minimum. Work with somebody you know will throw themselves into your case and do some of their best work for you.
7. Excellent Testimonials
Never settle for working with someone who’s difficult to get along with. Ask your attorney if they have any client testimonials they can share. You can also search for client testimonials online. Ensure the testimonials cite the attorney as somebody they got along with, and they should state your attorney is easy to work with.
Ideally, the testimonials will also praise your attorney’s legal expertise. There will always be some bad testimonials, but if most of them speak highly of your chosen attorney, then you know you’ve made a good decision.
8. Good Professional Standing
Consider how other legal representatives view your chosen attorney. Research the law firm’s reputation. Ask other attorneys at the firm how they view their colleagues if you can. See if your attorney holds any affiliations with legal organizations around the country.
The best maritime and work accident injury lawyers should work hard, know the law well, and have enough experience to win a hefty settlement for you. They should also be pleasant to work with and easy to get along with. If you believe your attorney lacks any of the qualities discussed above, then maybe it’s time to look elsewhere for a lawyer. You deserve the best.