My child was struck by a vehicle while she was walking on the sidewalk of a busy street. The car lost control due to weather conditions, (light rain), and drove right up on the sidewalk. My child suffered serious head trauma, resulting in emergency brain surgery that night. We had no health insurance. Her medical bills are massive. My mother retained an attorney for us but he specializes in elder abuse and also Trusts....not personal injury. The driver's Insurance company is offering less than her medical expenses. Do you think the end result could possibly be different if we went with an attorney that actually specializes in Personal Injury cases?
It definitely makes a difference to go with an attorney with experience in personal injury cases, especially an attorney with experience in traumatic brain injury cases. I would seriously consider discussing your case with your attorney since from what you have told us, he may not have the necessary experience and funding to fight for you on this case. He can refer the case to a personal injury attorney in your area or even co-counsel with another office. Either way, you need to get an attorney with experience litigating these types of cases.
Good luck.
--
Ilya D. Frangos, Esq.
Law Offices of Galine, Frye, & Fitting
411 Borel Ave., Suite 500
San Mateo, Ca 94402
Phone: 650-345-8484
Fax: 650-345-9875
www.dongaline.com
I think it matters a lot in that whatever the policy is, if the attorney knows how to handle the liens stemming from this your daughter will at least net something from the policy. Additionally, there may be other concerns regarding dangerous roadway, etc. Please retain an attorney who has experience in these matters.
First of all, I hope that your son's recovery is going well. Secondly, I believe that in a situation such as your son's--given his serious injuries and the surrounding circumstances--you would benefit from having a personal injury attorney on your side, as opposed to an attorney that specializes in trusts and elder abuse. I guess the best way to put it is, imagine I shattered my ankle. Yes, I could go to an ENT (ear, nose & throat) specialist because he is a doctor, and he did go to medical school just other MDs. But, wouldn't I benefit from seeing an podiatric surgeon who deals with situations like mine on an almost daily basis, and who knows how to deal with the different aspects & potential problems that could be associated with my medical condition?
A personal injury attorney knows how to deal with these greedy insurance company whose number one goal is to give you as little as possible, despite all you have gone through. This is not meant to be any kind of disrespect to your current attorney--it's just that his area of law doesn't require him to deal with insurance adjusters on an almost daily basis. I hope this helps you, and please let us know if you have any other questions.
It is always best to go with an attorney who practices in the specific area. There are many details that needed to be tended to when working on a personal injury claim. Seek out a local personal injury attorney. Good luck.
I will agree with other answers on this post. I will add that it is very beneficial to have a lawyer in your local area to handle your case. Sometimes it becomes quite cumbersome to get documents signed and keep appointments. Also important is to research determine which lawyers who will actually handle your case and not some paralegal. Many times clients become very frustrated when they cannot speak with the lawyer. If you wish to discuss your case please contact me @ (530) 872-2375.
I've been posting my biased opinions and comments here and there on the Internet and for a while now (since Al Gore invented the online attorney forums, I believe), and every time I see a post about a person doing battle all by his or her non-lawyer self against an insurance company, I keep thinking the post might as well read something like, “my no-insurance brother-in-law needs to get that brain tumor removed from the base of his skull. It's about the size of a penny nail and is hurting him something awful. He's up to six cans of Coors Light a day for the pain. So, what I need to know is whether I should go in using a through the left ear approach or the right...”
No one who has suffered personal injury should handle personal injury cases. No one but a neurosurgeon should do brain surgery, even if one’s brother-in-law is a schmuck.
A good personal injury attorney should not only understand the law applying to the claim/lawsuit but fully understand the medical damages associated with the injury. Trauma can affect many body parts, vary in severity, vary in long term complications and sequelae. To better one’s chances for a full and fair recovery, one must have an attorney who knows what to ask for from the defendant – compensation for all bodily harms and future medical care that will be needed.
We personal injury lawyers offer free consultations. We handle cases on a contingent basis. We actually love the game, the battling, the negotiations, the tactics, etc. An injured person should just worry about getting better.
- Paul
Paul J. Molinaro, M.D., J.D.
Attorney at Law, Physician, Broker
Fransen & Molinaro, LLP
980 Montecito Drive, Suite 206
Corona, CA 92879
(951)520-9684
www.fransenandmolinaro.com / www.888MDJDLAW.com
"When you need a lawyer, call the Doctor... Call Paul J. Molinaro, M.D., J.D... Call (888)MDJDLAW."
* This post and all others I make on Internet are for informational purposes only. None of the information or materials I post are legal advice. Nothing I post as comments, answers, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. While I try to be accurate, I do not guarantee accuracy.
** Fransen & Molinaro, LLP practices in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, and real estate law.
I agree with my colleagues. Either your current attorney should co-counsel with a personal injury attorney specializing in brain injuries or if he is unwilling to do that, find a personal injury attorney specializing in head trauma who will then substitute your prior attorney out of the case. Do not continue with an attorney specializing in elder abuse and Trusts. Most personal injury attorneys will offer a free consultation--you should feel good and feel comfortable with whoever you choose knowing that they will do a good job for you and your daughter. I hope that your daugther gets better at the earliest possible time. As a parent, I understand what you must be going through.
