Buffalo Personal Injury Lawyer NewsHiring a Product Liability Lawyer
5 Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Product Liability Lawyer
Many personal injury lawyers accept product liability claims, but not all attorneys have the same experience. Product liability lawsuits almost always involve high stakes, not just for you, but for the defendant, too. Afraid of setting a precedent that could come at a cost, companies will often pour resources into a strong defense, doing everything in their power to ensure that your case does not open the floodgate for more settlements and court-ordered awards.
You should never try to cut corners with a product liability claim, but your chances of success could come down to your choice of lawyer. Choosing the right attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you will make, and it must often be done even before filing a lawsuit.
Here are five questions to ask before locking down and hiring a product liability lawyer:
- How much experience do you have with product liability claims?
If you had problems with the IRS, you would probably hire a tax lawyer, not work with a criminal defense firm or an intellectual property attorney.
If you have been injured by a defective product, you need an attorney who has litigated similar cases. After all, the legal theory on defective products is very different from the legal theory on fault in a car crash. Your lawyer might be able to learn on the job, but you do not want to hire an attorney who needs to turn to old textbooks to negotiate a middle-of-the-road settlement. You need someone who has already been there and knows what to expect when it comes time to take your case to court.
- Do you have a proven record of success?
A product liability lawyer who has fought and won claims like yours is not going to downplay their success or try to cover up their results. Before calling to schedule a consultation, ask friends and family if they can recommend a good lawyer. If not, do your due diligence and check the firm’s website to see their record, whether they have won cases like yours in the past, and for how much.
- What should I expect from the product liability lawsuit process?
No matter how strong your case already is, lawyers should never promise results before negotiations have even begun. During your initial consultation, your lawyer should be able to give you an overview of what the product liability lawsuit process entails and what obstacles you can expect as your case winds its way through the legal system.
- What will communication look like while my case is pending?
Lawyers are people, and different people can have very different communication styles.
If you give your case to a big firm, there is a good chance the lawyer you talk to will not be the one working on your claim. Instead, it might be passed off to an overworked associate, someone who will do their best but might not have time to answer your questions or give your lawsuit the attention that it deserves.
- Do I have a solid claim, and what could it be worth?
New York does not cap damages in most product liability claims.
You could recover as much money as you need to reclaim your independence, but you cannot afford to delay. If you wait too long to take action, the statute of limitations could lapse, and you could lose your day in court long before your case ever gets to trial.
Do not delay: call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. today at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to a product liability lawyer and find out how much your case could be worth.