McLeish Orlando Lawyers LLP is a personal injury law firm that has been helping critically injured people across Ontario for over twenty years and is the proud platinum sponsor of the Brain Injury Association of Niagara. McLeish Orlando has extensive experience representing people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.
When should you consult a lawyer following a Brain Injury? If you have suffered, or if you believe you may have suffered, a traumatic brain injury due to the negligence of someone else, you should contact a personal injury lawyer right away. The sooner you contact a lawyer the better, as this allows for your legal team to begin gathering and preserving evidence and in some cases, complying with notice requirements. Why do I need a lawyer? An experienced personal injury lawyer will assist you in accessing immediate insurance benefits so you can receive the treatment and services you need without having to worry about your ability to pay for them. Your personal injury lawyer will also begin gathering evidence and expert opinions to ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to. Now that you’ve determined you need a lawyer – what’s next?
The first step is choosing the right personal injury lawyer for you and your family.
Here are some tips to make the process of choosing a law firm you less overwhelming:
1
Ask Around
Get a recommendation from someone you know and trust. That may be from a lawyer you know, a friend or relative that has been through something similar, or from someone that works in acquired brain injury rehabilitation – for example; an Occupational Therapist, Case Manager or Speech Language Pathologist. When you are asking for a referral, make sure you are asking specifically for a referral to a lawyer or law firm that specializes in personal injury.
2
Credentials Matter
Personal injury cases are complex and require lawyers with experience and a proven track record. Check that the lawyer/law firm you are considering has the credentials listed below.
These credentials are from peer reviewed sources (other lawyers, or judges) or from the Law Society of Ontario (the governing body for all lawyers in the province) they are not easily awarded:
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Listed in The Canadian Legal LEXPERT® Directory for plaintiff’s personal injury
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Listed in Best Lawyers in Canada for Personal Injury Litigation
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Recognized by the Law Society of Ontario as Certified Specialist in Civil Ligation
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Consistently listed in Canadian Lawyer Magazine’s Top Personal Injury Firms in Canada
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Elected as President of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
The next step is contacting the firm(s).
At McLeish Orlando, the first step is speaking to an intake coordinator. This person will ask you a series of questions to help determine if the firm can take on your case. You should plan for this initial call to take 15 – 30 minutes. You can expect questions about how the injury occurred, and the injured persons life before and after the accident – for example, were you (or the injured person) working, what were your/their hobbies, are they still able to do these things? Etc. The more information you can provide the better. The initial intake will be reviewed by the law firm, and the law firm will determine if they can help you. If yes, they will arrange a free initial meeting at a time and place that is convenient for your family. At this time, a lawyer will sit down with you and review the details of your case and answer any questions you may have. Following that meeting, the lawyer will decide if the law firm is able to open your case. If they are, you will receive a retainer agreement for you to review and sign. The retainer agreement will outline the legal fees. At McLeish Orlando there are no upfront legal fees. The Lawyers work on a contingency fee agreement, meaning you only pay if you win and at the conclusion of your case. This is the normal practice for most personal injury cases.
Choosing your lawyer is just the first step.
Once you begin your lawsuit, there are several steps in your case:
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Initial Interview (choosing the lawyer)
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Investigating & securing evidence about the accident
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Lawsuit started – statement of claim is issued
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Gathering of important documents & photographs
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Examination for discovery
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Damages work-up
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Mediation
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Pre-trial conference
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Trial
If your injuries were sustained as a result of a car accident or pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to Statutory Accident Benefits. At McLeish Orlando, we have a team dedicated solely to taking care of your accident benefits claim, which is separate from your tort claim – the lawsuit against the at fault party. You will have an ongoing relationship with your lawyer and legal team. You can expect your case to take anywhere from 2 – 4 years to years to reach a resolution. You can expect to receive regular communication from your legal team and can expect them to be very responsive to questions you have as they come up.
If you are looking for legal advice about your traumatic brain injury call McLeish Orlando at 1-866-685-3311. Please reference the Brain Injury Association of Niagara’s website when speaking to the intake team.
Phone
1-866-685-3311