If you’ve been injured through someone’s negligence, don’t rely on the insurance companies to compensate you. You need a personal injury lawyer who represents you.How can you pay for the unexpected medical expenses? How can you recoup lost wages? And what about the pain and suffering you have to endure? All of these questions are typical for someone who has suffered a personal injury. Once you decide to contact a personal injury attorney you have to make sure you are selecting someone who is going to work hard to get you a fair compensation. You want someone skilled in dealing with cases similar to yours and you want someone that listens to your needs and concerns.

Before your initial consultation, evaluate your options

Most personal injury attorneys will offer you a free consultation. This is where they evaluate your case and decide it there is a good chance you will be compensated for your ordeal. But before agreeing to an initial consultation you should request that the attorney send you information about what types of cases they have handled similar to yours. This way you can narrow down your options before you begin the decision process. Most reputable attorneys won’t mind sending you an information packet about their services; it helps them if you have more information about their firm before you schedule a visit.

Be wary of any lawyer or representative for a law firm that contacts you by phone after an accident. This is a common practice but is considered improper amongst reputable lawyers. Solicitation by mail is a common but acceptable practice.

Questions to ask an attorney you are considering for representation

Once you decide on your best options for representation you will want to set up an interview with each lawyer, usually having it narrowed down to three of four choices before the interview process is normal. Be sure to bring a checklist of questions you may have with you to the interview. Questions you might ask include:

* Are you certified by any local (state) or nationally recognized organizations?
* Will you be directly working on my case and if not, who will be and what are their credentials?
* Have you handled any cases similar to mine?
* What do you feel my case is worth as far as a monetary settlement?
* Have you won any major cases and where can I read about your past cases?
* Have you ever been censured or otherwise disciplined by your state bar?
* Do you have malpractice insurance?

Remember most of these questions are standard for any lawyer and they will not be offended by your asking. Before you make a decision also ask it you can have copies of any fee agreements home to think over before making your decision. It shouldn’t be a problem for a law firm that is honest and wants to earn your business.

Hoffman, Comfort, Offutt & Scott, LLP has been serving the legal needs of individuals and businesses from Carroll County and the greater Baltimore metropolitan area for more than seven decades. Their clients appreciate our courteous and attentive service, as shown by their responses to our client surveys. Their peers in the legal profession respect them for their legal ability and professional ethics, and have designated the firm as AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®.

Just a few short years ago, you probably had never heard the expression “Elder-Law”. Today however, it is becoming a practice that is gaining more widespread acceptance. It is loosely defined as laws that affect the elderly. However, this is only part of the story. Here are the most common aspects in the United States.

Elder-Law Certifications:

While certification is voluntary, many seniors are advised to seek the counsel of a Certified Elder-Law attorney. The certification requires proof from these attorneys that the following criteria are met:

* licensed to practice law in at least one state
* be actively practicing law for five years prior to applying for certification
* must be a member in good standing in the bars where they are licensed to practice
* have to display that they have averaged 16 hours per week to elder law over the 3 years prior to application plus handled at least 60 elder law cases during that time
* have participated in Continuing Education focused on elder law
* must provide five references from other attorneys with qualifications in elder law
* must pass the elder law certification exam

If an attorney has received certification, you should be able to identify them by the certification initials that follow their names, namely CELA.

Type of Advice available Practices:

It is not as simple as it may seem at the outset. Attorneys who elect to specialize in elder law agree that they will assist not just elderly clients, but their caregivers in many cases as well. These attorneys may be involved in planning for health and personal care, helping with powers of attorney, helping with financial aspects including housing, and tax matters. In addition, elder law also encompasses such things as asset protection, public benefits and more.

It may also delve into more familial matters such as grandparents’ rights, age discrimination for employment, will and trust planning as well as planning for aging and assisting well spouses with planning for long term care for their spouses who are incapacitated. Specialists may also get involved in capacity hearings, guardianship and patients’ rights while under care at medical facilities.

Protection of Seniors:

In addition to the items mentioned above, there is sadly much reason for us to be concerned about the treatment of the elderly. As economic conditions become increasingly dire for larger percentages of the population it is not unusual for senior citizens to become the target of scams. In addition, family members may begin taking advantage of their elder parents and in some cases this can lead to cases of abuse. It is becoming more critical for those whom are elderly to have their own advocates. This is where the law becomes a critical function in the legal field.

As the population growth spurt known as the Baby Boom ages, we are bound to see more need for protection for ourselves or our loved-ones as they age. We may glad to know that this specialty is available for our support and the defense of our rights.