If you’ve had an accident in a public place or at your workplace and it was caused by unsafe conditions, you can claim compensation for your injuries. A slip-and-fall lawyer will help you get the money you need to pay for your medical bills, your loss of work, and any other expenses. To choose the best premises liability lawyer, make sure they are experienced, local to Houston, TX, and well-respected by clients and other lawyers.
6 Qualities to Look for in a Slip-and-Fall Lawyer
1. Local Houston, TX Knowledge
Many of the laws related to slip-and-fall accidents are regulated by the state, not the federal government, so you’ll need to work with someone who knows the Texas laws very well. The best attorneys often work with law firms that have been established for a while.
Start your research by looking for reputable firms in your area and reading about the lawyers’ backgrounds. Choose someone who knows Texas and the relevant state laws.
2. A Lot of Experience as a Premises Liability Lawyer
Young lawyers are often enthusiastic and motivated, but they might not yet have the necessary skills and experience to win your case. For this reason, it’s best to work with a more seasoned personal injury attorney.
Before hiring someone, read through their biography on the law firm’s website to find out where they have studied and what cases they have worked on. Aside from detailed biographies, many law firms also have information on past cases, so you can find out more about the kinds of issues the lawyers have experience with and what results they have achieved.
3. A Specific Focus
Some lawyers work on a wide variety of cases. In an effort to attract more clients, they list countless specialties on their website. But it’s almost impossible for one person to be an expert in four or five areas of the law. If you choose someone who doesn’t have a focus and is trying to do it all, you’re unlikely to get top results. Instead, always choose someone who specializes in personal injuries because they will have the knowledge you need.
4. Excellent Communication Skills
If your lawyer isn’t a good communicator, it’s unlikely that you will have a good experience with them. Not only will they have trouble getting you the results you need, but you’ll also struggle to get in touch with them, and they won’t be able to answer your questions effectively.
Fortunately, you can find out early on whether an attorney is good at communicating. When you first reach out and book your initial consultation, pay careful attention to how the lawyer interacts with you. Are they friendly and polite, and do they respond to all your questions? Are they transparent about their methods? If so, it’s likely that you will have a good experience.
5. A Good Professional Reputation
Aside from knowing a lot about the law, an attorney also needs to have soft skills like composure, patience, organizational skills, and powers of persuasion. These are hard to quantify because they can’t be taught at school, and they aren’t directly related to experience. The best way to find out whether a lawyer has the necessary skills is to check the reviews and testimonials.
If other people who have worked with them are satisfied, it’s likely that you will have a good experience, too. You can also check whether the lawyers are a part of professional organizations such as the National Trial Lawyers Association. This proves that they are well-respected by others in their field. To start researching lawyers in your area, check out this site.
6. A Fair Fee Structure
In Texas, lawyers typically charge between $150 and $400+ per hour. Different law firms have different fee structures. Some might ask you to pay by the hour, while others prefer a one-off fee for your entire case. If your attorney is almost certain that they can win your case, they might offer to take it on a contingency basis, which means that you will only pay once you’ve received your compensation.
All of these fee structures can work. The one that’s suitable for your case depends on your individual situation and the amount of work your lawyer will need to do. It’s best to ask upfront what the costs of their services will be since this prevents any negative surprises. Good lawyers never charge hidden fees, and they are happy to tell you all their terms and conditions before you hire them.
A slip-and-fall lawyer will help you access compensation for your injuries, so you can recover without having to worry about the money. Before hiring the premises liability lawyer, make sure they are experienced, good at communicating, and respected by the community. It’s always best to work with someone local to Houston, TX because each area of the country has different personal injury laws and regulations.
