Hausmann McNally

You want to hire a lawyer and a firm you trust completely to handle what is one of the most important and sensitive matters you will ever deal with. We invite you to test us. Talk with us, without obligation or commitment, and ask us the following questions. Then ask another law firm the same questions. Decide for yourself which firm is most worthy of your trust. Here are questions you need to ask every law firm—including ours.

1. What experience does your firm have in handling wrongful death cases?
2. Will your firm immediately assign a lawyer, paralegal and an investigator to interview me, take photographs, interview witnesses and gather the facts of the incident?
3. Do I feel comfortable with this lawyer?
4. Can you tell me about some cases like mine that you or your firm have handled?
5. Does the lawyer have years of experience in handling my kind of case?
6. Does the lawyer answer my questions in a way I understand?
7. Does the lawyer listen to me?
8. Does the lawyer treat me with respect?
9. Does the lawyer rush me through our conversations?
10. How long has the firm been in business?
11. Do your lawyers have many years (200 or more) of combined experience representing clients in wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits?
12. What kinds of legal problems do you handle most often?
13. Are most of your clients individuals—or insurance companies that defend against injured parties?
14. Is this law firm totally focused on representing victims – and not distracted by the needs, pressures, and demands of also representing insurance companies?
15. Will the lawyer advise me of what measures to take with the insurance company?
16. Do I understand the lawyer’s explanation of what my case involves?
17. Has the lawyer talked frankly with me about the potential value of my case – without making definite promises?
18. How will you ask me to participate in my case?
19. What decisions will you ask me to make, and will you advise me about the pros and cons of those decisions?
20. Do I understand what the lawyer expects of me?
21. Is the lawyer patient with me when I don’t understand?
22. Does your firm have a reliable, state of the art computer system so that the progress of my case will be safely and securely documented and immediately retrievable when I have questions?
23. How easily can I reach you to discuss my questions and concerns?
24. Will the lawyer answer my phone calls promptly?
25. How and how often will you keep me in formed about the progress of my case?
26. Am I satisfied the lawyer will give me the opportunity to make critical decisions about my case?
27. Does your firm maintain an up-to-date list of expert witnesses?
28. Does your firm have the financial means to hire the appropriate expert witnesses, (accident reconstructionists, economists, engineers, court reporters), if they are needed to bolster my case?
29. Do your lawyers have the knowledge of the state court system and its judges and know how to navigate the system effectively?
30. Does the lawyer explain the possible out comes for my case?
31. Do you expect to settle my case out of court, or take it to trial?
32. Do you predict my case will be resolved?
33. Does your firm have a reputation for being tough with the opposition, willing to fight in court to protect their clients’ rights?
34. What experience do you have doing trial work?
35. What strengths and weaknesses do you see in my case?
36. What if I disagree with something you do in my case – how will we resolve that?
37. What are the first things you advise me to do to protect myself in this case?
38. How much will your firm charge as your fee for representing me?
39. Do I pay your fee only if you win my case for me?
40. How much will I pay for costs?
41. Do I reimburse you for costs only if you win my case for me?
42. Do I feel good about this lawyer and his/her law firm?
43. Has the lawyer tried to pressure me in any way?
44. Do the lawyer and all persons in his/her office treat my family with full and total respect?