DUFF LAW FIRM, P.L.C.
THOMAS J. DUFF

Duff Law Firm, P.L.C.
The Griffin Building
319 Seventh Street, Suite 600
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3826
Telephone: (888) 251-2722
Fax: (515) 282-0477

Personal Injury
Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Claim Worth?

In all Personal Injury cases, if manufacturers, property or animal owners or other responsible parties are found to be responsible, they will pay damages, which may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and property damages. Compensation is also paid for pain and suffering to the victim as well as to family members if the injury caused a death. Other financial awards may be determined also.

Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer-How Do I Choose The Best One For Me?

Victims of Personal Injury deserve the best settlements. In order to do this, having a qualified, experienced Personal Injury attorney is essential. Personal Injury lawyers come in all shapes and sizes and varied levels of experience. If you are injured, you need as much assistance as possible, and with the finest representation. Do not choose the first one you find in a phone book without reviewing their qualifications, finding out about their experience and checking out references. There are several main items to look for when searching for the Personal Injury attorney that best fits your situation.

Find out about their verdicts and settlements. What is their track record in cases such as yours? Someone who has great results with traffic accident victims may not have needed experience in animal attack cases. A Personal Injury attorney experienced with slips and falls may have a "winning" track record, yet may not have sufficient settlements.

Experience, assessment and investigations in your case are critical. The Personal Injury attorney you choose should be experienced in your type of claim and will be able to assess your claim to show if it would be worthwhile and what would be needed to make it advisable to pursue. The investigative team of your Personal Injury lawyer is skillful in scrutinizing all aspects and technical detail of your case. The experience of your Personal Injury attorney will allow your case to flow smoothly through the extensive paperwork involved in your Personal Injury case.

Working with others is particularly important. Whether it is with opposing counsel, insurance companies, witnesses, your friends, family or anyone else involved, your Personal Injury attorney needs to be able to work effectively and efficiently. Opposing counsel and insurance companies have many tactics to pressure you to reduce and even deny your claims. Your Personal Injury attorney needs to be competent in dealing with these tactics. Your Personal Injury attorney will also be able to assist you in determining if you claim may be resolved in mediation, providing you with a satisfactory settlement outside of court to relieve you emotionally and save you time and energy.

The cost of losing your case could be substantial. Most Personal Injury lawyers work for a contingency fee. This means that they do not receive payment unless you win your case or receive a settlement outside of court. It also means that they believe in you and your case. There are expenses that you would still be charged for, such as those of expert witnesses that review your records, and other fees not directly related to professional fees. Do not let an attorney gloss over these expenses quickly. Review your signed agreements with another Personal Injury attorney if possible to protect yourself.

DISCLAIMER: The information you obtain at our firm web site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. It is recommended that you should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

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If you would like to schedule a free initial consultation contact an Iowa personal injury attorney, representing clients in Knoxville, Iowa  at the Duff Law Firm. Give us a call at (888) 251-0477.

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