When an individual suffers physical injury, should he or she see a lawyer?

The period after an injury or unexpected death is difficult for decision making. Health and immediate income needs are probably top priorities.

But a timely legal consultation is rarely a waste of effort.

• An injured person may not know all the parties or circumstances that contributed to the injury. Professional investigation exposes them.

• The responsibility of other parties, including insurance companies, may not be clear-cut. Legal representation clarifies responsibility and insures that no source of compensation is overlooked.

• Waiting too long after an injury to explore options makes pursuing a case more difficult.

A personal injury case usually begins with providing notice of a legal claim against a negligent party’s insurance carrier. It does not necessarily lead to a lawsuit. A negotiated settlement is frequently possible and desirable.

But the process can quickly grow complex. The other parties will invariably have their own experienced attorneys. When deciding to retain an attorney to help on a personal injury matter, it is important to know:

• Who will work on the case. Some law firms parcel work out to less experienced people. At Jones & Ward, senior partners keep responsibility.

• Whether the attorney has relevant experience. Jones & Ward practices general personal injury law, and particularly emphasizes accidents and injuries involving vehicles, bicycles, or to pedestrians, injuries to fishermen, seamen, processors and other maritime cases, construction site accidents, injuries to law enforcement officers and firefighters, and claims involving wrongful death.

• Whether the attorney has strong trial experience if a satisfactory settlement cannot be negotiated.

• What additional professional resources the attorney can summon. No attorney is expert in everything. Investigators, researchers and subject matter specialists play key roles in good legal representation.

• What record of success the attorney can show in similar cases.

Injured parties often assume they must pay from the start for legal help. This sometimes discourages them from exploring their options. In fact, initial consultations are free. Jones & Ward, like most personal injury law firms, works on a "contingent fee" basis. If there is no recovery, there is no fee for legal services. If there is an award or settlement, the firm receives a percentage. Costs are additional.

Jones & Ward strives to put its experience, credentials and legal counsel in reach of all who seek and need it. Beyond the legalese, Ron and Charles are concerned with repairing and improving their clients’ lives. It is easy to contact Jones & Ward.