Frequently Asked Questions

A contingency fee arrangement means our attorney fees are contingent on successfully recovering compensation for you. You pay no attorney fees upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or court award.

This arrangement aligns our interests with yours - we're motivated to get you the best possible outcome because our fee depends on your success.

While attorney fees are contingent, there may be case expenses such as:

• Court filing fees
• Expert witness fees
• Medical record copying costs
• Investigation expenses
• Deposition costs

We'll discuss all potential costs during your consultation and keep you informed throughout your case. Many expenses can be advanced by our firm and recovered from your settlement.

Contingency fees in personal injury cases typically range from 33% to 40% of the recovery, depending on the complexity of the case and whether it settles or goes to trial. We'll clearly explain our fee structure during your consultation so you understand exactly what to expect.

Remember, even after paying attorney fees, clients typically recover much more with an attorney than they would on their own.

The personal injury legal process typically involves these steps:

• Initial Consultation: We evaluate your case and explain your legal options
• Investigation: We gather evidence, obtain records, and build your case
• Medical Treatment: You focus on recovery while we handle legal matters
• Demand Package: We prepare and send a comprehensive demand to the insurance company
• Negotiation: We negotiate with the insurance company for fair compensation
• Litigation: If necessary, we file a lawsuit and proceed to trial
• Resolution: Your case concludes with a settlement or court verdict

Most personal injury cases settle out of court before trial. However, we're fully prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation. Our willingness to go to trial often motivates insurance companies to make better settlement offers.

If your case does go to trial, we'll thoroughly prepare you for the process and represent you aggressively in court.

The time limit to file a personal injury lawsuit varies by state and type of case:

• Rhode Island: Generally 3 years from the date of injury
• Massachusetts: Generally 3 years from the date of injury
• Florida: Generally 2 years from the date of injury

Some cases have shorter deadlines, and there are exceptions to these rules. It's crucial to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you don't miss any important deadlines.

We handle a wide variety of personal injury cases, including:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Workplace injuries
• Wrongful death
• Product liability
• Dog bite injuries
• Nursing home abuse

If you're unsure whether we can help with your specific situation, please contact us for a free consultation.

Yes, in most cases. The states where we practice follow comparative negligence rules:

• Rhode Island & Massachusetts: Modified comparative negligence - you can recover if you're less than 51% at fault
• Florida: Pure comparative negligence - you can recover even if you're 99% at fault

Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you're 20% at fault for a $100,000 case, you'd recover $80,000.

The value of your case depends on several factors:

• Severity and permanence of your injuries
• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Impact on your quality of life
• The strength of the evidence
• Available insurance coverage

Every case is unique. During your consultation, we'll evaluate these factors and provide an honest assessment of your case's potential value.

You may be entitled to various types of compensation:

• Economic Damages: Medical bills, lost wages, property damage, future medical costs
• Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life
• Punitive Damages: In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct (rare)

We'll work to ensure you receive compensation for all applicable damages in your case.

Pain and suffering damages are more subjective than economic damages. Factors considered include:

• Severity and duration of pain
• Impact on daily activities
• Emotional and psychological effects
• Treatment required and recovery time
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

We use various methods and our experience with similar cases to argue for appropriate pain and suffering compensation.

The timeline varies significantly based on several factors:

• Simple cases: 3-6 months for straightforward settlements
• Complex cases: 1-2 years for cases requiring extensive investigation
• Trial cases: 2-3 years if the case goes to trial

Factors affecting timeline include injury severity, dispute over liability, insurance company cooperation, and court schedules. We work efficiently to resolve cases as quickly as possible while ensuring you receive maximum compensation.

Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident, ideally within the first few days. Early involvement allows us to:

• Preserve important evidence before it's lost
• Interview witnesses while memories are fresh
• Ensure you receive proper medical treatment
• Handle insurance communications to protect your rights
• Meet all legal deadlines

Even if you're still receiving medical treatment, it's beneficial to have legal representation early in the process.

Be very careful when dealing with insurance companies before hiring an attorney. Here's what you should do:

• Be polite but don't provide detailed statements
• Don't sign any documents or releases
• Don't accept any settlement offers
• Don't admit fault or speculate about the cause
• Refer them to your attorney once you hire one

Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. What seems like a helpful conversation can actually hurt your case later.