Frequently Asked Questions About Us:
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What happens when I contact The Arns Law Firm about my case?
Each prospective case is immediately evaluated by an attorney in our firm for liability and damages. If you have suffered a serious injury, our investigators go to the scene of the incident the day the call is received, in order to gather important evidence and preserve it for trial. Potential litigants should consult an attorney as soon as possible after their injury, before evidence is lost and witnesses' memories fade. The call to our office and initial consultation are free.
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What are your fees?
Our firm handles all of its cases on a "contingency" basis. Under this system, we earn attorneys' fees only if your case is successfully resolved. If your case fails to earn a settlement and loses at trial, then there is no cost to you. Generally, fees are 33.3% of your settlement amount if settlement occurs before the case is set for trial, and 40% if the case is set for trial. However, for medical malpractice cases, the fees are set by state law and generally are lower, and in workers' compensation cases, the fees are limited to approximately 15%.
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What is my case worth?
This is one of the most difficult questions to answer, and you should be wary of any attorney who claims to know what your case is worth when you first talk to him or her. Normally, the value of a case cannot be accurately determined until "discovery" is conducted, which involves testimony under oath of yourself, witnesses to the incident, and others. The reason this fact-finding must occur is that a case value is based on two factors: "liability" and "damages." Liability is the "fault" of the defendant, and damages are the total losses that you have incurred, including pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical bills. The stronger the liability in a case, the more likely settlement will occur at close to full value of the damages. The more difficult it is to prove liability, the more likely settlement will occur at less than full value of damages. But remember, if settlement does not occur and the case goes to trial, your case is worth whatever the jury decides it is worth.
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How much time do I have to file a lawsuit?
In California, under the Statute of Limitations, you are limited to TWO years following the date of your injury for most type of cases. However, there are exceptions such as medical negligence and uninsured motorist claims that must be filed within one year. Even if the statute is two years, you should not wait that long before you contact an attorney. Valuable evidence for your case may disappear if you wait, so it's important to consult an attorney sooner rather than later.
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Please also refer to our Frequently Asked Questions About On the Job Injuries.
Please Note: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. This has been prepared by The Arns Law Firm for informational purposes only. We do not intend to create an attorney-client relationship between our firm and the recipient of the information contained on the pages that follow. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your situation. |
