efficiently handling personal injury claimslegaltechnicality.blob.core.windows.net/content/... ·...
TRANSCRIPT
300,000 Crashes in Ohio each year
Someone Calls you
Your TRIAL Evaluation Begins
Your CASE Evaluation Begins
DO YOU TAKE THIS CASE OR NOT?
Facts
Client Insurance – Auto/Health/Homeowners
Police Report & Photos
Photos- Scene, Vehicles, Injuries
Property Damage Claim
Witness Statements
Liability Analysis – Legal Research
Medical Records Ambulance &E/R
PCP
Specialist
P/T
Medical Bills
Out of Pockets
Wage Loss
Summary of Specials
SUBROGATION
Discuss Background Education
Employment
Family
Medical History
Crash History
Details of the Crash
Complete Summary of All Medical Care
DOCUMENTS
Auto Insurance Policy
Umbrella Policy
Health Insurance details
ALL photos –
ALL Correspondence
ALL stuff from doctors
ALL EOB’s
Check Stub for Wages
DON’T Talk to Anyone
Post to Facebook
Post PHOTOS
Post to blogs
Post to Newspaper websites
Forget to tell me if you move or change phone#
Tell Doc you’re “OK” if you’re not
DO Keep every piece of paper
Keep a “LAWYER LOG”
Email ME frequently
Take LOTS of PHOTOS
Keep track of Out of Pockets
Send ME all EOBs & Bills
Keep track of EVERY visit to EVERY care provider
Keep track of WAGE loss
CRASH REPORT
Police Photos
Witness Statements
CALL WITNESSES & Take Statement
GO TO THE SCENE
Get YOUR OWN PHOTOS of Scene, Car
CALL Officer!!
ADD to Crash Report
ONLINE SOURCES
GOOGLE MAPS & STREET SCENE
OSHP Website
Linked In- Facebook- social media
Check out your client
Check out other guy
LEGAL Research
INITIALLY Setting the Reserve
MAGNIFY the Case
Prove Liability 100%
Worst Case Scenario
Demand to know Policy Limits
Ask for All PHOTOS
Demand that Evidence Be Preserved of Other Vehicle Damage
AS THE CASE GOES ON Diary & Provide Updates
Keep Track of Specials and Provide Updates
Let Client give Statement?
Pre-Suit Mediation?
Initial Correspondence Demand Proof of Lien
Demand Language from Policy
Do NOT sign their forms
Do NOT provide tortfeasor info – privileged
Agree to work with them at the end
Argue Liability
Ask them for $$ - Expenses
Updates
Continue Liability Discussion
Never Agree to “collect” for the lien holder
Never Agree that the lien is “valid” – only that it will be considered
Prep for Negotiations on Day 1
CLIENT Recovering You have no control
Gather Medical Records
Get BILLS
Add Bills to Spreadsheet
Keep Track of Wage Loss
Easy to Update Insurer
GOAL - SHORTEN THE TIME BETWEEN RECOVERY & DEMAND
Type “What’s My Case Worth” into Google
PLUS POINTS Good Client
BIG hit
Solid, prove-able injury
Significant Specials
Good Photos
Good Police Report
Clear Liability
Logical Progression of Treatment
Good Log of Recovery
MINUS POINTS MIST Case
Allstate
Liability Issues
“Ow, my neck hurts”
Gap in Initial Treatment
Failure to follow advice
Pre-Existing Injuries
“It Hurts” 24/7/365
Unreasonable Expectations
DIGITAL DEMAND Organize your Digital
Case File with a “Demand” folder
Slide your Investigation from your digital case file to a CD-ROM
Prepare Demand Letter
SEND IT OUT
Start on Day 1
Start writing the LIABILITY Story
UPDATE the Medical Story as you go
Provide the BIG Medical Bill Number
Letter should
Confirm 100% Liability
Discuss Initial Pain at Scene
Quote Key Phrases from Medical Records
Discuss ALL treatment
Analyze any legal issues
Clearly set forth the demand
CLIENT Expectations Controlled?
Explain “Robinson” on Day ONE!
COMMUNICATE EVERY OFFER
Be Reasonable
Is This a Case you want to TRY
Is This a Client you want to put on the stand?
Your Experience
Jury Verdict Research
Magas Verdict Research
LIENHOLDER
Negotiate Lien
Client paying 1/3
Client Paying expenses
Client Taking all Risk
Liability Issues
“Value” issue
Hopefully you’ve built a relationship
Confirm in Writing/Email
INSURER
Confirm All OFFERS
Send all offers to Client
Follow up all Telecons with email or letter/fax
Confirm all discussions with Client in email/writing
CONFIRM SETTLEMENT IN WRITING
Get Timeline -