A Brooklyn jury awarded Mr. Vargas $17.5 million for the City of New York’s violation of his civil rights for failing to provide him medical care while in custody. The jury found that the police officers involved failed to provide the necessary medical treatment and awarded $17.5 million to Mr. Vargas.
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How to Prepare for a Consultation with a Personal Injury Attorney
Preparing for your first consultation with a personal injury lawyer is crucial for a focused and productive meeting. Organizing documents, outlining your case, and preparing the right questions can ensure you make the most of your first meeting.
Communication your goals clearly, sharing pertinent details, and addressing concerns upfront sets the stage for tailored legal advice and a well-informed strategy. If you were injured in a New York accident caused by someone else, the compassionate and experienced team of personal injury lawyers at Harris, Keenan & Goldfarb can help. Here are some things to consider before meeting with us for the first time.
Collect and Organize Important Documents
When you meet your New York personal injury attorney for the first time, bringing the proper documents is essential to provide a comprehensive overview of your case. Here’s a list of documents to bring with you:
- Accident Reports or Other Legal Documents – Bring copies of any official accident reports or incident documentation. Also, bring any other legal documents related to the accident, such as citations or court summonses.
- Medical Records and Bills – Bring medical records detailing your injuries, treatments, progress, and all medical bills related to treatment, prescriptions, therapy, and other healthcare costs.
- Photographs – Your attorney will want any pictures of the accident scene, injuries, and property damage.
- Insurance Information – If applicable, an attorney will need your insurance policy and communication with any insurance companies related to the incident.
- Witness Information – If you have it, provide the names, addresses, and contact information of witnesses or others involved in the accident. If you obtained witness statements, bring those too.
- Employment Records – If you lost wages, bring documentation such as pay stubs showing your lost wages or income due to the injury.
- Communication Records – Your attorney will want to read correspondence with other parties, insurance companies, or medical providers.
- Your Notes – If you’ve taken notes detailing the accident, injuries, and subsequent developments, your attorney will need those.
Prepare a List of Questions for Your Attorney
Preparing a list of questions for your first meeting with your New York personal injury attorney is a proactive step that helps you get the most from your consultation. Here are some examples of effective questions:
- Case-Specific Queries – Ask questions about your accident, injuries, and potential legal claim. Ask your attorney to assess liability, possible compensation, and the strength of your case. Ask about your case’s potential challenges and how the attorney plans to address them.
- Settlement vs. Litigation – Seek the attorney’s opinion on whether your case is more suited for a settlement or if litigation might be necessary for a fair outcome.
- Experience – Learn about the attorney’s background in personal injury law. Ask about their experience with cases similar to yours, their success rate, and any experience that could benefit your situation. Harris Keenan & Goldfarb has represented personal injury clients since 1996.
- Communication and Client Involvement – Inquire about how frequently the attorney will update you on your case’s progress and the firm’s preferred methods of communication. Ask about your role in the case, including any information or tasks they might need you to perform.
- Fees and Costs – Clarify the attorney’s fee structure. Discuss whether they work on a contingency basis (only getting paid if you win), hourly rates, or flat fees. Inquire about any potential additional costs.
Crafting a comprehensive list of questions ensures you leave the consultation with a clear understanding of the attorney’s capabilities, your case’s potential, and the overall legal process.
Outline Your Story to Discuss Your Accident and Injuries
Outlining your story before you meet your personal injury attorney is crucial. By organizing the details of your accident and injuries, you provide the attorney with a comprehensive understanding of your case, enabling them to offer tailored advice and formulate an appropriate legal strategy.
A well-structured account of the accident, including dates, times, locations, and circumstances, helps the attorney evaluate liability and potential legal strategies. Describing the nature and extent of your injuries, along with medical treatments and progress, assists in assessing what compensation you may be entitled to.
By outlining your story, you can streamline the consultation process and maximize the value of your initial meeting, making it more productive and informative.
Our Personal Injury Lawyers Want to Help You with Your Case
Preparing for your initial meeting with a personal injury attorney makes that first meeting as effective as possible. Your preparation streamlines the process and increases the likelihood of receiving accurate advice. So, before you step into that meeting, gather your materials and concerns – it’s the first step towards achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
First, call Harris Keenan & Goldfarb for your first meeting. Call us at [phone-number linked=true] or contact us online for a free case evaluation. Then, come prepared, and let’s fight for your compensation together.
Over $500 Million in Verdicts and Settlements
Our track record showcases over $500 million won for our clients. Each victory underlines our commitment to justice and client care. Explore our impact, case by case.
What Our Clients Say About Us
Thank you Jennifer for the best treatment that you gave me as a professional and I will recommend the lawyers to the entire world, thank you a million.
I received excellent service with my case. Christine was a big help in sharing the information that was needed to receive a motive outcome. Great job!
Dear Alison, Toni, and Team,Thank you so much for recovering my injury case from 9 years ago that was dead in the water since the company went bankrupt and there was nothing else to do. Miraculously, you resurrected my case and was able to get a settlement which completed for me the horrific accident and the suffering I endured because of it. HK&G makes miracles happen by getting the job done and seeing that justice is served. Thank you so much.Susan C.
I went to Harris Keenan &Goldfarb on 2020 for a slip and fall. This firm was very concerned about my needs. Took my case and awarded me more money than I expected. I love Criistina she went out her way for me so many times.. Beautiful paralegal. Also Mr. Edward, I will forever thank him for his services, keeping me updated on my case. I give this law firm 5 stars.
I must say I am extremely happy and amazed at the incredible work at Harris, Keenan & Goldfarb they were always available if I had any questions and they were always answered very professionallyJason Steinberg is a great lawyer Donna and Terry were always very professional and kind I will always highly suggest this law firm and team to anyone out their. Thank you again to everyone at this incredible Firm!!!
My experience with Harris Keenan and Goldfarb was wonderful. My legal representative, Steven LaRocca with Samantha Walton always made me feel well defended and cared for, in a way that went beyond professional representation and into the realm of caring about me on a personal level. Steven, Samantha and Seth Harris got me a great outcome and I can’t thank them enough!
Excellent person, very Professional, they assist you in any language, your call is always answered. I recommend you for any case of support you have, your refund is satisfactory. and fast
I am completely satisfied, and recommend Harris Keenan & Goldfarb as Attorneys to represent anyone. Their care for me physically, and overall helped me stay strong in spite of my injuries. Always available to answer questions, and inform.They got me Justice, and achieved a substantial outcome for my case.I am very impressed, and thankful for their outstanding performance on my behalf.I am very pleased, and significantly satisfied with their representation.‐-Sherylon Wilkins
Patient and diligence is how I describe the effort of HKG the work was thorough, honest and fair, I have no complaints. Special thanks to attorney Blake and his paralegal Thierry.
I first crossed paths with Seth Harris when serving jury duty many years ago. He was so professional and personable, that when my mom was seeking legal counsel for medical malpractice, I told her she had to reach out to his firm. We had meetings with a few different firms, but Harris Keenan & Goldfarb was the only firm that did not try to get us to sign paperwork before even meeting. They took the time to listen and understand our situation before we signed anything, and they were transparent and responsive the whole time. I would like to give special thanks to Samantha Walton, Marla Stein, Val Wallace and Seth Harris for helping my mom through this tough time. They were honest and upfront, and even though Seth Harris wasn't personally on the case, he took the time to meet with us and give us his thoughts on it.
I am pleased with the services provided by Ms Sheri on my case. The team at Harris, Keenan, & Goldfarb were very nice and explained everything to me. Everything that I had questions on they answered without frustration and were prompt and knowledgeable.6 years ago I had a slip and fall accident at my employers place of business. I reached out to them because I knew that I was being wrongfully treated. They took care of the case, restored my self confidence, and brought so much peace to my problem riddled life.I can recommend without a shadow of a doubt the services of Harris, Keenan & Goldfarb to anyone who is in need of someone who will have your back!
My mother had an accident with her ankle back in 2019. I immediately contacted Harris, Keenan & Goldfarb on the day of the accident. They were extremely prompt and helpful. They attended to my mother's case beautifully and she's been recovering well. I'd like to thank you for being so diligent, kind and above all professional. I'd recommend this law firm to anyone who are injured and in need of legal assistance. My mother, Andrea, and I thank you for everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions that prospective clients have about personal injury claims include:
Do I need an attorney?
When you have suffered an injury, it can be difficult to know what to do next. If the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. However, filing a personal injury claim can be a complex and time-consuming process. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal system and fight for the maximum possible compensation.
How do I know I have a case?
When should I contact an attorney?
How do I determine which one to choose?
Once I hire an attorney, what should I expect?
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