You should hear from your personal injury attorney whenever there’s progress in your case, such as a new court filing, motion, or settlement offer. Your personal injury lawyer in Lebanon, NH, will also reach out when they need something from you, such as your medical records, pay stubs, or documents requested by the defense.
The frequency of communication depends on what stage you’re at in the claims process, but regular communication and prompt responses should be expected.
What kind of communication can I expect from my personal injury attorney?
Most law firms send regular updates to clients after filing a lawsuit, especially if it’s a complicated case anticipated to take over a year (as is common in mass torts and class action suits). You’ll also be alerted when a critical event occurs, or if there’s a timely matter you must complete, such as:
- A court hearing
- A formal request for information from the defense
- Being deposed during the defendant’s discovery process
- A judge’s order to participate in mediation or binding arbitration
- A settlement proposal from the defense
Make sure that you’re communicating properly with your lawyer, too. If you develop complications from your accident injuries and need additional medical treatment, let them know so they can adjust your damages accordingly. If you’re contacted by the other party or their insurance companies, refer that communication to your lawyer and alert them.
What to do if your lawyer stops communicating
You should always feel comfortable reaching out to your lawyer if you haven’t heard from them in a while. It is always your right to be kept reasonably informed about the progress of your case. In situations where you cannot get a satisfactory response from your lawyer’s office, you can seek a new lawyer.
If you do decide to replace your lawyer, be careful when vetting a new one. Ask about their firm’s communication frequency and explain your communication style and preferences. It is important for you to feel comfortable with communication about your case. You should also ask who your primary point or points of contact with the firm will be. Some lawyers have a paralegal or client coordinator who will be your primary point of contact, while other lawyers prefer to speak to their clients personally.
What to expect in your personal injury claim: a timeline for communication
At Shaheen & Gordon, we provide regular updates on your personal injury case, according to your communication preferences. In the beginning stages of your case, expect to hear from your attorney fairly often, as we need to gather plenty of information to build your case. The quicker you’re able to get back to us and get us information we need, complete your interrogatories (written questions sent by one party to another as part of discovery), or cooperate with scheduling issues, the more time we have to work on building a strong case.
Expect to hear from us anytime the defense files a motion, and whether you need to appear in court when we address it. The defense will probably want to depose you during discovery, and we’ll contact you about setting an appointment that works with your schedule.
We’ll likely touch base regularly during discovery, as we may have questions, need clarification about certain details, or need more documents.
Have you been hurt in an accident and need to know your legal options? We offer a free consultation. Call our offices at (800) 451-1002 to book yours.
