What to Expect at an Initial Legal Consultation

June 15, 2022 | Workers’ Compensation

What to Expect at an Initial Legal Consultation

Most people will go through life without ever hiring a lawyer. But after a serious workplace accident, you might need a lawyer’s help to obtain workers’ compensation to cover your medical bills and lost wages.

Most workers’ compensation lawyers offer a free initial consultation to new clients. This consultation allows you to meet lawyers and ask questions about them and your case. It also gives lawyers the chance to evaluate your claim and determine what they can do to help you.

Below, learn what to expect during an initial legal consultation.

What Are the Purposes of the Initial Consultation?

The initial consultation allows you and the lawyer to meet each other and discuss your case. Both of you will use the initial consultation to determine whether you can work together on your case.

Some of the purposes of the initial consultation include:

  • Assessing the merits of your claim
  • Evaluating the potential value of your claim
  • Talking about your legal options
  • Determining whether you and the lawyer are a good fit

You can get the most out of your initial consultation if you go into it with some expectations about what will happen. You should also have a plan for what you want to discuss and how you will use that information.

When you make an appointment for an initial consultation, make sure you ask the receptionist or legal assistant how long the consultation will take. You should plan to stick to the time limit set by the law firm.

You will probably start your consultation by discussing your accident and the injuries you suffered. You should have an open and honest discussion with the lawyer about your case, even if the facts might not favor you. The lawyer can only evaluate your case fully if you provide all of the facts.

Even though you have not yet hired the lawyer, you still benefit from attorney-client confidentiality. This means that the lawyer cannot disclose or use any of the information you share, with only narrow exceptions for criminal acts.

Discussing Your Claim

After you provide the lawyer with some background information about your accident and injuries, you can discuss your claim. An experienced lawyer can usually assess the merits of your claim with just a brief discussion.

This assessment might change as the lawyer learns more about your situation. But you can usually get the lawyer’s preliminary feelings about your claim during the consultation.

The lawyer will probably ask some questions, such as:

  • Did you talk to anyone at the accident scene?
  • Did you report the accident to your employer?
  • Did anyone witness your accident?
  • Have you seen a doctor?
  • Have you filed a workers’ compensation claim?
  • Were there any third parties involved?

Your answers will help the lawyer determine your claim’s likelihood of success and your legal options. Some injured employees may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party under certain circumstances. 

Interviewing the Lawyer

You should try to find a lawyer who provides the best fit for your claim. 

Some questions to ask include:

  • How much do you charge?
  • How will I receive case updates?
  • What experience do you have with cases like mine?
  • What legal strategy do you recommend for my case?

You can use this information to choose the right lawyer for you.

You should not feel pressured to hire the lawyer at the end of your initial consultation. The best lawyer for your case may not be the most expensive or best-known lawyer. 

Your claim may take time, so choose a lawyer with whom you can communicate well and have a good working relationship.

You should ask for a copy of the lawyer’s fee agreement so you can review it. If you have questions about the agreement, make sure you get satisfactory answers before hiring the attorney.

If you’ve been injured in a workers’ compensation, please contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today:

Harrisburg Law Office
945 East Park Drive, Suite 103 Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 231-1640

York Law Office
2550 Kingston Road, Suite 210A York, PA 17401
(717) 995-8998

Wyomissing Law Office
833 N. Park Road, Suite 103, Room A Wyomissing, PA 19610
(717) 388-2325

Chambersburg Law Office
79 St. Paul Drive, Suite 1 Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717) 388-2378

Carlisle Law Office
354 Alexander Springs Road Carlisle, PA 17015
(717) 995-8732

Carbondale Law Office
30 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 101 Carbondale, PA 18407
(717) 995-8810

Lancaster Law Office
2173 Embassy Drive, Ste 123, Lancaster Pa 17603
(717) 616-2954

Lebanon Law Office
937 Willow Street, Suite D Lebanon, PA 17042-1140
(717) 995-8963