Hiring a lawyer can dramatically improve your chances of winning your disability, workers’ compensation, or personal injury claim, but only if you work with a good lawyer. The following is advice on how NOT to find a good lawyer. Keep these points in mind so you can avoid hiring a dud. Remember – cases are won or lost based on the quality of your legal representation.

Asking Friends for Referrals

While asking friends and family for referrals isn’t a bad idea if they had the same type of case as you do, choosing a lawyer based solely on a recommendation from a friend or relative is a bad idea. Regardless of whether or not you receive referrals, it’s crucial to interview different lawyers in person and review their background and qualifications to ensure that they’re a good fit for your case.

Hiring a General Practitioner

Perhaps you already know of a lawyer that you worked with on a different case. However, just because someone is a lawyer doesn’t mean he or she will effectively handle your case. You need to work with a specialist who is skilled in the area of law that’s relevant to your particular case. Many lawyers aren’t familiar with the nuances of the law outside of their areas of expertise.

Hiring a Lawyer Who Promises a Specific Outcome

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A Columbus attorney should never promise a specific outcome for your case, no matter how likely that outcome may seem. Be wary of lawyers who promise that they will win your case. A lawyer would have to carefully evaluate your case, do research, and talk to different people before making an accurate assessment of the circumstances. Although it might be reassuring to work with a lawyer who is confident about the outcome of your case, the law is rarely black and white, so it can be difficult to determine who will win or lose.

Not Following Your Instincts

It doesn’t matter how great a lawyer’s reputation is or what other people have told you. What ultimately matters is how you react to a lawyer’s personality and approach. Trust your gut. If you have any doubts about a lawyer’s competence, cut your losses and move on. You should work with a lawyer you trust and who really listens to what you have to say rather than someone who just tells you what he thinks you want to hear.

Hiring the First Attorney You Can Find

If you were buying a house, would you buy the first house you could find? Probably not. The same holds true when you hire an attorney. Do research, get the names of several different lawyers, and then interview them in person to make the best possible choice.

It’s important to do your homework when you hire a lawyer. If you’re looking for an attorney in Columbus, Ohio for your personal injury, disability, medical malpractice, or personal injury claim, get in touch with Agee Clymer Mitchell & Portman to schedule a free consultation and discuss the specifics of your case!