| I'll answer that question with a few questions: | | | | deducting his attorney's fee. |
| Should you use a realtor when you sell your home? | | | | "According to one statistical study conducted at the |
| Should you use an appraiser to value your home? | | | | Columbia Law School, `the claimant who retains an |
| Should you use a title company when it comes time to | | | | attorney improves his chances of recovery; and, in |
| have the transaction closed? | | | | addition, `the increment to the victim who retains an |
| Let's say you want to sell your home that you bought | | | | attorney is large enough so that, even after the |
| 40 years ago for $10,000.00. Someone offers you | | | | attorney's fee is deducted, he will "net" more than if he |
| $35,000.00, you decide to sell because it sounds to you | | | | had handled the case himself. |
| like a good offer. In reality, your home is worth | | | | "Insurance companies seem willing to pay claimants, |
| $60,000.00 and you just gave up $25,000.00 because | | | | when they retain attorneys, a sufficient increment to |
| you took what sounded good, and not what it was | | | | more than cover the attorney's cost. In other words, in |
| worth based on current market values. | | | | the tough test of the marketplace, the contingent fee |
| If you had consulted an appraiser he would have told | | | | seems to prove its worth." |
| you that your home was worth $60,000.00. Perhaps | | | | Additional support is found in a 1994 study by the |
| then you would have made the decision not to sell. | | | | Insurance Research Council which shows that, on |
| Let me give you a personal injury example. You're | | | | average, claims resolved without an attorney settled |
| injured in an auto accident. The day after the accident | | | | for $9,000 less. According to that study the average |
| you're contacted by the other party's insurance carrier. | | | | settlement when no lawyer was involved was |
| They offer you $2,000.00 for your pain and suffering. | | | | $3,262.00 compared to $11,939.00 when a lawyer |
| That sounds like a good offer, so you take the | | | | handled the case. The difference: $8,677.00. A little |
| $2,000.00 and sign all the releases. | | | | arithmetic shows that, after deducting a typical |
| Two weeks later your neck is really hurting you. You | | | | contingency fee and some costs the represented |
| spend the $2,000.00 plus an additional $2,000.00 to get | | | | party made out better--much better. |
| treatment for your badly injured neck. | | | | Another reason to hire a lawyer on your personal |
| The value of an attorney to personal injury claimants | | | | injury case: stress reduction. Without the pressure of |
| was conceded by a noted critic of personal injury | | | | self-representation you are likely to heal up much |
| attorneys. In his book "The Injury Industry and the | | | | faster. |
| Remedy of No-Fault Insurance" Jeffery O'Connell | | | | And, finally, you could make a mistake and screw up |
| stated the following: | | | | the case and end up with far less than you deserve. |
| "Studies tend to show that hiring an attorney not only | | | | Be wise, make sure you have competent legal counsel |
| increases the chance and amount of payment but | | | | to represent you in your personal injury claim. |
| leaves more net payment for the claimant even after | | | | |