You’ve seen the television commercials for years, promising free consultations and no cost unless you win. You may wonder if these offers are too good to be true, and if you can you trust the attorneys making these claims. No one really gives anything away for free – do they?
Can I Expect a Free Personal Injury Consultation?
The type of service required from a law firm usually determines its’ fee structure – flat fee, hourly rate or contingency. For instance, when you retain a family law attorney, fees are generally charged at an hourly rate; while drawing up a will would likely be billed as a flat rate.
In contrast, when working on personal injury or workers’ compensation cases, the attorney is most often compensated on a contingency basis. That is, they will be paid based on a percentage of what the client is ultimately awarded.
Because these case fees are based on a percentage of a yet unknown amount, in these cases an attorney may not charge an initial consultation fee.
Instead, a personal injury attorney considers the free initial consultation as an opportunity to determine the facts of the case. At the end of this meeting, the client and attorney will mutually decide if the representation is a good fit for each of them.
Why Would You Offer Your Time for Free?
Both client and attorney benefit from initially discussing the case without fees attached. A client can feel relaxed and not rushed, and effectively communicate the facts of the case. These situations can be confusing, and a claimant may not understand the laws, and their rights under them.
By offering a free consultation, our Sarasota personal injury law firm hopes that you will feel comfortable seeking professional advice. The attorney can then determine the merits of the case and if it is worth pursuing, saving everyone involved time and money if the facts do not warrant further legal action or representation.
If I Don’t Hire the Attorney, Is it Still a Considered Confidential Conversation?
You can rest easy. Even if you decide not to proceed with an attorney-client relationship, a lawyer who has spoken with a prospective client is not free to reveal the information discussed. Whether your initial consultation is paid, free, or conducted at a reduced rate, your conversation is always considered confidential.
Does Probinsky & Cole Offer Free Personal Injury Consultations?
Yes, if you have been injured and are looking for a Sarasota personal injury attorney, we are happy to meet with you free of charge to discuss the details of your case. This free consultation applies to car accidents, slip and fall incidents, workers’ compensation, and other personal injury cases. Should you have questions about if your consultation qualifies, please call our offices.
We are fluent in both English and Spanish. (more)
The Probinsky & Cole attorneys are experienced in all areas of personal injury law. We have fought for the rights of our clients for over 25 years, and take pride in our record of community service across Florida and the United States.
