Choosing a lawyer for your case is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as an injured party of Camp Lejeune water contamination. You want someone who can help you win your case and get the compensation you deserve. But not every lawyer has experience in this area or can give you the time and attention these cases require.
So here are some questions that can help ensure that you have the right lawyer on your side:
1. Have You Handled Camp Lejeune Cases Before?
The most important thing you can do when you are injured is to seek the advice of a qualified attorney. Your lawyer will help you understand your legal rights and options and how best to proceed with your case.
When you talk to a lawyer, you want to ensure they have experience handling cases similar to yours. Ask them if they have handled Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits before and what their background is in the subject matter of your case. Also, ask for examples of similar cases they have worked on in the past.
A good lawyer can provide information on how their previous clients were successful in their cases and what amount of Camp Lejeune compensation was awarded as part of those settlements or verdicts.
2. What’s Your Strategy for My Case?
An experienced attorney will have a plan for winning your case based on the facts of your particular situation. Also, they will consider how similar cases have been resolved.
You should ask about their approach and how they think it will help you achieve your goals. If a lawyer has no idea what they are doing, they won’t be able to explain this clearly to you, and that’s not an acceptable answer. Instead, you need someone willing and able to lay out their plan of attack so that both parties know exactly where they stand throughout any legal proceedings.
The lawyer handling this case should know the cause of the Camp Lejeune water contamination. Torhoerman Law, a law firm, reports that the contamination resulted from spills or leaks from underground storage tanks, waste disposal sites, and other businesses.
This contamination caused Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the water supplying the base housing and other buildings. Among the VOCs found were degreasers, dry cleaning solvents, and nearly seventy (70) other hazardous chemicals.
It’s also important to ask how long they’ve been practicing. A lawyer who has been in the business for several years will likely have a better idea of how similar cases are resolved than one who just graduated. The longer they’ve been around, the more experience they’ll have with similar lawsuits, and this can help them develop a strategy that could work for you too.
3. How Often Will You Update Me, and How Can We Communicate?
You have the right to know the status of your case and how it’s progressing. A good lawyer will keep you informed of the progress made and ensure you’re always in the loop.
A good way for a lawyer to do this is by giving regular updates on how things are going. If an update affects you directly, they should let you know about it immediately so that no crucial information slips through the cracks.
According to International Bar Association, effectively communicating with clients shows the trust a lawyer has in his abilities, which leads to increased client satisfaction.
You should be able to talk openly with them about anything in the case, especially if they’ve agreed to take on your case pro bono. A good lawyer will also listen when you express concerns or ask questions and give you honest answers in return.
4. How Much Will This Cost Me?
The cost of a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit can vary, depending on the specifics of your case and the attorney you choose to represent you. However, it’s necessary to understand that there are a few areas that will affect how much your case cost:
- The severity of your illness
- The complexity of your case
- The number of hours an attorney needs to spend working on it
The first two factors are the most important ones to consider. The complexity of your case will affect how much time it takes for an attorney to work on it, and the number of hours they spend working on it will impact how much you must pay.
Most people are concerned about the lawsuit’s cost as it may cost heavily on your pocket. However, according to Lawyer Monthly, not hiring a lawyer can cost you more dearly when things are messed up, and you will lose your claim.
5. Can You Commit Enough Time to My Case?
You must choose a lawyer who can commit the time and resources necessary to see your case through. While many factors go into this, such as the complexity of your case and its location, some lawyers are better at managing their workloads than others.
A good way to determine this is by asking your lawyer how many cases they have currently open at any given time. You also want them to be available when needed. They should respond promptly if you reach out with questions or concerns about the progress of your case.
If possible, try scheduling an initial consultation before hiring so that both parties can understand whether working together would work well in practice. A few law firms offer a free consultation to those who want to know whether they qualify for the Camp Lejeune water contamination claim.
6. Can You Provide References?
The best way to learn about a lawyer’s reputation is to ask for references. In addition, you can ask the lawyer for personal recommendations from previous clients, colleagues, and other lawyers. If you have any doubts about whether a particular reference will be helpful or not, call them and ask what they thought of working with this person.
However, according to the American Bar Association, the best recommendation is the one that comes from family and friends who have been in a similar situation before. However, it’s necessary to remember that each lawsuit may differ from the other on several bases.
If you’re still unsure after talking with these references, there are two other ways to find more information. One is to contact your state bar association, and the other is to contact the local bar association directly. Both organizations keep records of all licensed attorneys who practice in their jurisdiction, so they should be able to provide accurate information about an attorney’s disciplinary history.
Final Words
When finding a lawyer who has your best interests at heart, trust is essential. You want to ensure that you and your attorney are on the same page about every aspect of your case.
It’s important to find an attorney who can commit enough time and resources to your case to succeed in court. A good litigator will take on as many clients as possible but still give individual attention so that each client feels their case is being handled personally.
Overall, these questions will help you better understand whether a lawyer is right for you and your case. However, it’s important to remember that every case is different, so don’t be afraid to ask about specifics related to yours.
