At some point, everyone needs the help of a lawyer. Whether you’re involved in a legal dispute, recovering from an accident or trying to protect your family’s interests.
When choosing an attorney, look for one with a winning track record in a specific practice area. Ask how many cases they’ve taken all the way to trial, if applicable.
Personal Injury
If an accident impacts your physical and emotional health, a personal injury attorney may help you seek financial compensation. This involves accurately tallying your losses and ensuring that you know and meet the time restrictions the state places on filing civil lawsuits for accidents.
Personal injuries can result from a wide variety of sources or types of conduct, including car accidents, workplace incidents, slips and falls, medical malpractice, and more. The goal of a personal injury lawsuit is to find the person or entity responsible and compel them to compensate you for your losses.
In some cases, a lawyer may be able to help you claim punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. These are awarded for gross negligence, wanton recklessness, malice, or similar egregious conduct. In addition to special and general damages, some claims involve non-economic damages like disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish. These are more difficult to tally and may require the support of expert witnesses.
Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one is always traumatic, but when that death could have been prevented it’s even more devastating. Fortunately, the survivors of a deceased family member can seek compensation for their pain and loss through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Wrongful death lawsuits are civil actions brought by relatives of a person who died due to another’s negligent or reckless behavior. Unlike criminal trials where the burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt, wrongful death cases are held to a lower standard called preponderance of evidence.
Jason Stephens understands that the loss of a family member is an unimaginable experience and he’ll take on the ins-and-outs of bringing (and winning) your case. He’ll investigate the fatal accident, identify all parties who may be liable and work to get you the compensation that you deserve. Survivors of the deceased can recover damages for lost financial support, services, prospective inheritance and emotional suffering. Additionally, they can also recover the cost of funeral expenses and medical bills.
Divorce
A divorce is one of the most stressful, time-consuming, and expensive experiences a married couple can go through. You will need an attorney who understands this issue and will fight for provisions in your settlement that ensure a fair outcome.
If you and your spouse can agree on issues like property division, child custody, and spousal support, you may be able to file an uncontested divorce. If you and your spouse can’t agree on these issues, however, you will need to file a contested divorce.
If you are having trouble affording a private attorney, you might consider applying for a legal aid society or volunteer lawyers program. These organizations typically offer low-cost or no-cost representation and will help you fill out your divorce forms. They will also be able to assist you with proof of service for your spouse, a requirement in most states. Make sure you ask the attorney whether they use paralegals or associates to work on cases and how they bill for phone calls.
Criminal Defense
A criminal defense attorney is there to represent you when you’re facing serious legal charges. They will help you gather and examine evidence, depose witnesses, and enter motions in court. These are all steps that are critical to building a successful criminal case.
The Constitution guarantees your right to a lawyer when you face criminal charges. If you can’t afford a private attorney, the judge will appoint a public defender for you. It’s important to interview several attorneys and law firms before you make your decision. It’s also a good idea to review their litigation record and determine what they’re willing to do to protect your rights and interests.
A wrongful accusation can damage your reputation, cause loss of employment, and lead to severe punishments like fines or jail time. Our lawyers have experience fighting for clients against wrongful accusations and can put you in the best position to get your charges reduced, dropped or dismissed.