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Charles Oren has compiled information regarding the most
frequently asked questions people have when they are looking
for an attorney and for many of the practice areas handled
by the firm.
The information provided is generic in nature and does not
constitute legal advice. In addition, an Attorney-Client relationship
is not created by viewing this information.
To protect your legal rights following severe injury or wrongful
death resulting from an accident, it is wise to immediately
consult Oren & Oren.
1.Why do I need an attorney?
A few of the many reasons to obtain an attorney include:
(1) Ensure that you do not lose your right to a cash
judgment, or to sue, because of missing a statute of limitation.
The attorneys of Oren & Oren, Inc., will make sure that
you keep every right to sue the person(s) or business(es)
responsible for your injury.
(2) Ensure that an insurance adjuster does not take advantage
of you. The attorneys of Oren & Oren, Inc., will obtain
the maximum cash settlement available to you, based upon the
facts of your individual case and current California law.
Oren & Oren, Inc., does not accept the small amount usually
offered by an insurance adjuster to an individual.
(3) Ensure you obtain money for all of your past and future
expenses, including among other things medical bills,
loss of income (which may require a retained medical expert’s
testimony), and pain and suffering. Oren & Oren, Inc.,
adamantly pursues recovery of all of your damages. It is important
that you be adequately compensated for your personal injury.
The personal injury attorneys of Oren & Oren, Inc., represent
individuals on a contingent fee basis and the initial consultation
with a client is free. Many years ago, a report from the Rand
Study showed that most individuals who were represented by
an attorney received more compensation for their case than
if they handled the case themselves.
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2.If I do retain an attorney, what should I expect?
(1) Do not expect to pay your personal injury attorney
until after your case has resolved. The personal injury
cases at Oren & Oren, Inc., are handled on a contingent
fee basis, meaning you do not pay attorney fees unless your
case is resolved.
(2) You should expect the attorney and his staff to work
immediately on your case.
(3) You should expect to deal with the attorney personally,
either by phone or in person. Charles D. Oren and Donald
E. Oren discuss cases with their clients directly. Both attorneys
call clients to discuss their cases and will gladly accept
your call. If you call our office and the attorneys are at
the courthouse or meeting with other attorneys, the support
staff of Oren & Oren, Inc., will provide case updates
to you.
(4) To receive an assessment of your case’s value
when your injuries and expenses can be fully assessed.
Usually, that is after treatment with a doctor has finished.
At Oren & Oren, Inc., we continually contact our client’s
treating physicians for treatment updates.
(5) That your case will not be settled without your approval.
At Oren & Oren, Inc., we discuss every settlement offer
with our clients. Only after the client’s approval has
been secured will we settle a case.
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3. How often should I expect the attorney
to contact me? (Is it okay for me to contact my attorney?)
Communication is important between the attorney and client
from the beginning. Throughout any case, the attorney and
client will need to exchange information. It is important
to remember that each case is different and the frequency
of contact may vary depending on each case’s particular
circumstances. For example, if Attorney Charles D. Oren has
to obtain an expert (Accident Reconstructionist, Private Investigator,
etc. . .) for your personal injury case, that expert’s
findings can be given to you only after a report has been
received, which may take a few weeks.
At Oren & Oren, Inc., we welcome all telephone calls from
our clients. We understand that you may have questions about
your case, or the legal processes involved with your personal
injury case. Attorneys Charles D. Oren and Donald E. Oren
assist all of their clients with any questions or concerns
they might have during the duration of your case. During the
initial consultation with any personal injury attorney, we
encourage you to discuss how often you can expect to hear
from them.
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4. What are the costs that I have to pay?
Personal injury case costs are normally paid by the attorney’s
law firm and will be reimbursed by the client at the time
of settlement. Oren & Oren, Inc., includes in its contingent
fee contract a provision stating that we will advance the
costs in your case. You do not have to worry about the costs
of pursuing your case, such as court filing fees, costs of
investigation, or hiring a medical expert.
The cost of pursuing a case varies depending on its stage
of settlement. The initial costs of pursuing a case can be
rather minimal. Some cases require a lawsuit to be filed or
expert testimony to settle. The costs of investigation, hiring
an engineer, filing documents with the court, and obtaining
medical reports can add up. If trial is required to settle
your case, the cost can significantly increase. A trial often
requires the retaining of experts, advancing fees for the
testimony of expert witnesses (physicians, chiropractors,
engineers, etc. . .), and increased court fees. By the time
of trial, a case will have been closely studied and the possibilities
for success discussed with the client. It is important that
every client know the potential costs if their case goes to
trial. The costs incurred for trial are not prohibitive for
the attorneys of Oren & Oren, Inc. However, by the time
a case is set for trial in the Superior Court, it should be
a consideration to any client and discussed openly with your
attorney.
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5. What is my case worth?
The value of a personal injury case is not a question that
can be answered at the first visit to an attorney’s office.
At Oren & Oren, Inc., we assess the value of a personal
injury case only after we have obtained all the relevant medical
information (including, among other things, a current prognosis,
past and future medical expenses incurred, and any impairment
to earning capacity), as well as information regarding loss
of income (including past and future lost salary, wages, and
profits). Additionally, the opinions of various experts, such
as medical experts and economists, may be required to determine
the total value of a case.
The value of a personal injury case depends on many factors.
Each personal injury case is different and the various elements
of a case may increase or reduce the value of a case. For
instance, the value may be reduced if the client was also
somewhat at fault for their own injuries.
It is important that an injured person obtain an attorney
who has a good reputation and has practiced in the area for
many years. Unfortunately, some attorneys, in an attempt to
persuade a potential client to sign a fee agreement with them,
will tell a client at the initial meeting that their case
is worth millions of dollars. It is not an honest approach
and can only lead to client disillusionment, or distrust,
later.
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6. Do I have to settle my case before the Statute of Limitations
runs?
Recently, the State of California extended the statute of
limitations for most types of personal injury actions to two
years. This means that if an accident occurs on January 4,
2003, a lawsuit would not have to be filed until January 3,
2005. A case does not have to settle before the statute of
limitations, it merely means that the lawsuit must be filed
before that two-year anniversary. Due to the various statutes
for different types of case, always check with an attorney
to ensure that your case falls within the two-year statute
of limitation.
The information provided here is generic in nature and does
not constitute legal advice. In addition, an Attorney-Client
relationship is not created by viewing this information.
To protect your legal rights following severe injury or wrongful
death resulting from an accident, it is wise to immediately
consult Oren & Oren.
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