Our basic conception of a lawsuit usually consists of two individuals. This person versus that person. While many cases match this kind of model, there are other lawsuits that aren’t so equal.
One many people feel wronged in the same way by a person or entity, they may combine their cases in an effort to strengthen their cause. This is usually known as a class-action lawsuit. Many occur each year, such as the current case being made against Peloton.
A class-action case is a specific legal scenario that requires the appropriate expertise. It will require the help of a class action lawyer in order to proceed smoothly.
If you’re sitting down with such an individual, what information do you need to ensure you get from them? Read on and we’ll walk you through some major questions you’ll want answered before you hire anyone for your case.
1. What is Your Experience?
The most important trait in an attorney you hire, for a class action lawsuit or otherwise, is experience. The more experience an attorney has in handling cases like yours, the better they’ll be able to provide excellent service for your case.
The importance of experience really can not be understated.
If an attorney has handled many cases like yours before, they’ll know what works and what doesn’t. They’ll know what strategies to employ to get the best results and they’ll be aware of which pitfalls to avoid.
They might have existing relationships with those in the legal system that can prove beneficial to your own case. They might have an understanding of the other individuals that are involved in the case, such as judges, and they can engineer your case to best appeal to these individuals.
It goes without saying that they’ll know how to handle all the paperwork and deadlines associated with your case. All of this will come from having gone through the same process many times in the past.
This can be especially important when it comes to class-action lawsuits, as this form of lawsuit is particularly complex.
There are a number of procedural complications and issues that only an attorney with experience will be able to handle with ease. When you have something important as a massive legal case on your hands, you don’t want to waste your time with someone who is still figuring things out.
Your case is just too important to make that kind of decision. Make sure you’re crystal clear about any attorney’s prior experience before hiring them. You can read through this page to get a sense of what an experienced attorney can provide to this type of case.
2. What is Your Track Record?
Of course, at the end of the day, all you want is your case to be a success. You and the others involved in the lawsuit want justice to be served, and you want some sort of compensation for the damages you’ve faced.
Will this attorney be able to provide that for you or not?
Their track record will be a good indication of how much you should trust their ability to bring the case to the finish line in the way you desire.
Ask about previous cases. Did the attorney get compensation for their clients? How many were they able to win and how many did they lose?
Don’t be afraid to get specific. Ask how much the settlement was for. While an attorney that always wins cases might look good at first, it isn’t quite as positive if he’s always bringing in very small compensation totals.
Get as much detail about these previous cases as you can. Try to get information for these clients so you can contact them. Ask about their interpretation of the attorney in question and ensure that they were happy with the service that they received.
This is a very important question to ask. You want your attorney to be experienced, but you want them to be experienced at winning, not losing.
3. What is Your Current Case Load?
A class action attorney might be handling more than one case at a time. This is not unusual, quality lawyers often take on many clients. However, you’ll want to inquire about just how many cases the attorney in question is currently handling, as it could have an impact on how much attention they can give to your case.
An attorney that’s splitting themselves between five or more cases is likely not going to be able to give any particular case their full attention. This might be passable if they have a great team, but it also might mean you’re not getting the full extent of service that you’re paying for.
It can also mean communication issues for your down the line. An attorney that has a packed schedule isn’t going to be able to take the time to sit down with you whenever you need.
They might be hard to reach on the phone or talk to directly, which can be very frustrating for most people. They might not be able to take the time to walk through things about your case with you in a way that a less busy attorney might.
The fewer cases an attorney has on their plate at one time, the better it is for you. See how much attention a lawyer can give your case before agreeing to bring them on board.
Hiring a Class Action Lawyer
You’re ready to bring a class action lawsuit forward but there are still a number of obstacles ahead of you. The most important step to take is likely to hire a class action lawyer for your case. Before you sign any paperwork, make sure to get answers to the above questions.
This will ensure that your case will proceed without any unfortunate surprises.
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