Preparing For Your First Meeting

How to prepare for the first meeting with your St. Louis workers' compensation lawyer.

Be prepared for your first meeting with your
St. Louis worker's compensation lawyer.

Consulting a lawyer for a workers' compensation claim is highly advisable. Your first meeting with your lawyer will play a crucial role in shaping the future of your case and will pave the way for a positive relationship between the two of you. So, it is important that you prepare well for the meeting and put your best foot forward. You must approach it with a positive frame of mind. Apart from being polite, on time, and wearing appropriate clothes, there are some other things as well that you need to bear in mind.

Be Calm and Composed

It is important not to jump into the legalities of your case right away. A great way to kick start the conversation is to share some background information with the lawyer. In most cases, the lawyer will take the initiative and ask you about your background and seek other information. This will get you both acquainted and put you at ease.

Let the lawyer take charge of the conversation and steer it the way he/she deems necessary. Do not jump to questions or legal issues. Let him/her decide as to what issues to discuss first. So, be prepared to answer a lot of questions, from your employment history to the details of your injury or illness.

The Focus and Scope of the First Meeting

The focus and scope of the first meeting with your St. Louis workers' compensation lawyer will be to present all relevant information pertaining to your case to make an assessment. The most important thing that you need to bear in mind while speaking to your lawyer is to be extremely honest and factual in what you say. Remember, attorney-client privilege holds for this meeting as well, even if you choose not to hire the lawyer or the lawyer declines to take up your case. Even if there is some negative information that can impact the case at some stage, be sure to share that too.

After the discussions, if the lawyer decides to take up your case, he/she will educate you on your legal options and what you can expect from the case. At the end of the first consultation, you will have a clear idea on how your case is going to progress and what resolution is expected at the end of it. After this meeting, you will have to start with the next steps as recommended by the St. Louis workers' compensation lawyer.

Hiring the Lawyer

Once you both have decided to go ahead with the arrangement, your lawyer may give you a representation contract or attorney engagement letter. These documents include the terms of service. You must thoroughly read the document before signing, and feel free to ask any questions that you may have. Ask about the next steps that you need to take and follow up. Make sure to communicate regularly and clearly with the St. Louis workers' compensation lawyer as the case progresses.

Call The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300.

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