Before you Hire a Personal Injury lawyer, Do Your Homework

Personal injury advertising is everywhere—on television, on the radio, and on billboards. But the lawyer featured in an advertisement may not be the lawyer who handles your case.  The decision to hire a lawyer should not be made on advertising along. The person on the billboard or television may not even be licensed to practice in Illinois. Your case could be handled by another attorney in the firm or referred to a different firm.

Many excellent Illinois lawyers advertise. The important thing is to look beyond the advertisement and understand who will represent you.

Start With the Illinois ARDC

Before hiring a lawyer, visit the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) and search for the attorney by name.

Review the information available about the lawyer’s Illinois license, admission date, public disciplinary history, and reported malpractice insurance coverage.

A lawyer’s admission date provides some context about experience, although it does not tell you how much experience the lawyer has with cases like yours. Public disciplinary information deserves careful consideration, and malpractice insurance is another important topic to discuss.  I have some experience in both prosecuting and defending legal malpractice cases.  One red flag is an attorney who is not insured.  You would not go to a doctor or hospital who did not carry malpractice insurance, don’t hire an uninsured lawyer.  At the very least, the fact that they are insured tells you they are insurable.

Ask About Relevant Trial Experience

Ask whether the lawyer has handled cases similar to yours and taken them to a jury trial.   If you are injured in Kane County or DuPage County, your case will likely be tried there.  Cases are handled differently in different jurisdictions and jurors are often not the same in Kane County as in Cook County.  Local experience matters.

Many personal injury cases settle before trial, but preparation for trial still matters. You want a lawyer who can evaluate a settlement offer, explain your options, and take your case to court when appropriate.

Ask for specific examples of relevant trial experience and whether published verdict reports are available. Past results do not guarantee a particular outcome, but they can help you understand an attorney’s background. I am always happy to share my published jury verdict reports.

Know Who Will Handle Your Case

Before signing a representation agreement, ask:

• Who will be primarily responsible for my case?
• Will my case remain with this firm or be referred to another firm?
• If this case goes to trial, who will be the attorney trying the case?
• Who will answer my questions and keep me informed?
• How are attorney fees and case expenses handled?

Make sure you understand the answers and feel comfortable with the people who will represent you.

Consider Professional Involvement and Reputation

You may also want to ask whether the lawyer belongs to the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA). Professional organizations can provide valuable education and resources for attorneys representing injured people.

Reviews and resources such as the Better Business Bureau may provide additional context, but no membership, accreditation, or rating should replace checking a lawyer’s credentials and asking direct questions.

Make an Informed Choice

Choosing a lawyer is an important decision. Take time to verify credentials, discuss relevant experience, and understand how your case will be handled.

If you need help with a personal injury, nursing home, or employment discrimination case, I invite you to call (630) 892-8109.

Whomever you choose, I hope you will use these steps to find a qualified, ethical attorney who is the right fit for your case.