How do I choose a lawyer?

Before hiring a lawyer, a prospective client should research the firm he or she is considering hiring. Ask for information about the lawyer’s education, training and experience, and ask the lawyer to tell you about his/her experience dealing with cases similar to yours. Be sure you understand how you will pay the lawyer’s fee and costs at the end of the case. Ask about the possible adverse consequences that may occur if your case is lost.

Do I have to pay your Firm any money to start my case?

In most cases, no. The vast majority of our cases are based on a contingent fee contract, which means that you are not obligated to pay The Law Office of Justin Ziegler any attorneys’ fees or costs unless and until we obtain a settlement, verdict at trial or arbitration award in your case.

Who pays the expenses of litigation?

When you retain an attorney on a contingent fee basis, the attorney advances all of the expenses of litigation, and the client is responsible for such costs only if the case is successful. When the case reaches a successful conclusion, the costs we have expended are returned to us out of the recovery you receive.

Will I have to attend court hearings?

Possibly. Most court hearings will not require the attendance of you or the opposing party. However, you may be required to testify at an evidentiary hearing during the case and, if the case goes to trial, you will be required to attend and testify at the trial.

If I’ve never been to court. What should I expect?

We prepare every case as if a jury will ultimately decide it in a courtroom. By the time your case is ready for trial, you will have spent a great deal of time with our lawyers and staff so that you will know what to expect and what to do in the event that your case goes to trial.

How can I help my lawyers?

The most important thing that you can do to assist in the prosecution of your case is to tell your lawyers all of the facts and circumstances surrounding your case. It is important to tell your lawyers everything, including those facts that may not support your case. The lawyers representing the defendant in your case will conduct a thorough investigation of both the incident in question and your background. As a result, it is very important that you tell your lawyer everything.

It is also very important that you talk only with your lawyers, and that you not discuss the case with anyone else. If you receive phone calls from insurance companies, investigators, other attorneys, or anyone else asking about your case, do not provide those persons with any information; instead, immediately call your lawyer.

How long will it take to resolve my case?

We use all of our resources to bring cases to conclusion as quickly as possible, while also taking care that all cases are fully and properly prepared. While a small percentage of cases may resolve in a few months, it may take several years for a case to reach a conclusion. The time required varies based on the type of case (for example, personal injury cases are usually resolved in shorter periods than class actions or medical malpractice cases), the number of parties involved, the complexity of the investigation process, the number of depositions, and the schedules of expert witnesses and judges.

Who decides when and whether to settle or go to trial?

You, the client, make all decisions concerning when and whether to settle or go trial. We, as your lawyers, will give you our opinion and a recommendation based on our experience and knowledge of your case, but the ultimate decision will be yours.

Question:

If an attorney thinks that I have a very good personal injury case, can that accident attorney loan me after I hire him if I promise to repay him after we “win” or settle the case.

Answer: No.  Florida Rule of Professional Conduct 4-1.8(e) provides:

(e) A lawyer shall not provide financial assistance to a client in connection with pending or contemplated litigation.  I cannot violate this rule.