When a case first comes in, the client is usually a stranger to me. They are coming from google or a word of mouth referral, but we have likely never met. So, there is an initial process of getting to know you and in the first conversation or two I explain that you do not pay me on an hourly …
THE DONALD TAKES THE FIFTH
Former President Trump invoked his fifth amendment protection against self-incrimination today in the investigation by the New York Attorney General’s office into civil fraud claims. Most likely, he was asked: “Did the Trump Organization provide one value to taxing authorities for Property X and a different value to financial institutions? Answer: I invoke my right not to answer. Why is …
BROKEN WRIST WITHOUT SURGERY $43,000 vs. BROKEN WRIST WITH SURGERY $100,000
Why is there such a huge disparity in settlement numbers here? Well, in most personal injury cases there is an element of pain and suffering that makes up most of the settlement claim. In the non-surgical case, the client may have pain and a splint or some period of healing. Perhaps after 8 weeks, they are better and back to …
SLIP AND FALL CASES
These cases often are the most challenging cases for a personal injury lawyer and client. Why? Well, there is always some allegation that the plaintiff could have avoided the trip and fall or whatever caused their injury. Most of the cases of this type that I handle are falls on black ice, falls caused by uneven sidewalk blocks, and often …
DEPOSITIONS
Depositions are really the best way to get information in a civil case. There are interrogatories and other written responses that begin to tell me about a case, but they need to be explained by a live person. Further, most of my cases are not document dependent. Below is a link to a routine deposition I took in a motorcycle …
THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE GRIND SLOW BUT GRIND FINE
Sun Tzu gets some credit for this pithy insight as does someone named Sextus Empricus who wrote “The mills of the gods grind slowly but exceedingly fine.” What does this have to do with legal practice. Well, for starters, nothing moves quickly in personal injury law. That was true before the pandemic and is more true now. We live in …
PICKING THE CASE: What Makes A Medical Malpractice Case?
What Makes A Medical Malpractice Case? Damages, damages, damages. If you are calling me about your own medical malpractice case, then I am instantly concerned whether you have sufficient damages to pursue a case. Conversely, if someone else has to call for you or you died, you are more likely to have a case worth pursuing. Why? These are expensive …
“I play for money”- Joey Knish
In the epic poker film Rounders, Matt Damon plays the young flash in the pan superstar who wants to win it all. Joey Knish, Turturro’s character, is the classic poker grinder, who watches his money, makes good bets on good risks and doesn’t chase cars, ego etc. When Damon needs his help, Knish is there for him, but won’t lend …
Ch Ch Ch Changes
As David Bowie sang, “Time may change me, but I can’t trace time.” Many of us as lawyers get up every day and run our firms or work on our cases, trying our best to keep clients happy and the airplane flying while repairs are underway on the fuselage. There are always positive changes to be made. Always! And, with …
ALWAYS BE CLOSING: SIGNING UP NEW CASES OR CLOSING NEW BUSINESS
Does “always be closing” ring a bell? If not, you may not be a rainmaker! If not, watch the movie Glengarry Glenn Ross’ famous Alec Baldwin “ABC” or “coffee is for closers” scenes on YouTube. Why? It always lights a fire in the belly that there are others out there competing against you and you need to work to keep …