Unhappy with your current ICBC/Personal Injury lawyer? You have options.
Most firms charge the legal maximum contingency fee of 33.3%; I charge anywhere from 25%-30% depending on what stage of litigation your file is in.
Recently, I was retained by a client who was unhappy with her previous injury lawyer. The two parties did not have a falling out; rather, they simply had different views regarding her ICBC injury claim. This happens more often than one may think.
REASONS WHY PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR INJURY LAWYER:
(1) The lawyer is unresponsive to their client’s phone calls and/or emails.
Often, lawyers will have several hundred ICBC injury files and find little time to respond to their clients. This is more typical with smaller firms that are under resourced. I, working with Kaz Law a leading litigation firm in Vancouver, have the resources and manpower to respond to my client’s correspondence on the same day and no later than one business day later.
(2) The lawyer takes too long to resolve a client’s claim, whether via settlement or trial.
This may occur for various reasons; one example includes the lawyer’s failure to file a Notice of Trial ensuring a deadline is in place for ICBC. I recognize that most clients do not want to go to court. A trial can be stressful and uncertain, that is why we work hard to recover the largest amount possible through the settlement process. However, with my commitment and record of success in the courtroom, I will not hesitate to go to court if a fair settlement is out of reach.
(3) The lawyer is unwilling to go to trial and/or is inexperienced in it.
95% of cases settle, and going to court is always the client’s decision. But, with my commitment and record of success, I will not hesitate to go to court if a fair settlement is out of reach. ICBC is aware of what lawyers and law firms go, and do not go to trial. Attending and winning at trial increases the value of a client’s claim and is one of the top reasons why ICBC will offer you a fair and reasonable settlement.
ICBC is aware of what lawyers and law firms go, and do not go to trial.
When lawyers/law firms have a record of trial success, they tend to advertise their wins on their website. You can view my trial wins by clicking “Trial Awards”. Make sure to check your lawyer’s website as well.
(4) The lawyer undervalues a client’s ICBC claim.
This most often occurs when a lawyer or law firm is under resourced or inexperienced. You have to ask: has your lawyer sent you to any experts to help prove your claim and specifically, your injuries?
For chronic pain, have you seen a pain expert/physiatrist?
For broken bones, have you seen an orthopedic surgeon?
For a brain injury, have you seen a concussion specialist/neurologist?
For depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders, have you seen a psychiatrist?
For neck, back, and/or spine issues/pain, have you seen a neurosurgeon?