Standard of Practice

PRIVILEGE, CONFIDENTIALITY, AND ETHICS

Our relationship will be privileged and will remain confidential. Everything the law firm learns about you during the representation of you is confidential. Our lawyers will not break the sanctity of the attorney-client relationship. Therefore, full disclosure by you will be encouraged. The Thompson Law Firm is a highly ethical law firm. We strive to follow the highest of ethical standards since being licensed in 1975 in Ohio and 1976 in the District of Columbia.

INVESTIGATION, EVALUATION, LIABILITY, AND DAMAGES

Negligence and medical negligence cases are costly to litigate in terms of both time and money. An evaluation of a personal injury case is divided into three parts: medical, legal, and financial. Generally, all three evaluations are conducted simultaneously, because many of the factors to be considered are interrelated. Sometimes, a potential personal injury case may be rejected based solely on one of the three evaluations without thoroughly conducting all three. Also, a potential case may be declined because the client is uncooperative in the evaluation or litigation of the case; however, declination of representation will not occur without reasonable notice to the personal injury client.

YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

We will keep you informed about your personal injury case. While the information you give us is confidential, if a lawsuit is brought, the person sued has the right to obtain information about you and your personal injury claim.

SETTLEMENT OF LAWSUIT

At The Thompson Law Firm, we settle the great majority of personal injury cases we handle before trial. Many cases require the filing of a lawsuit before a settlement can be made. However, the fact that a personal injury lawsuit is filed does not mean that a trial is necessary.

HANDLING YOUR CLAIM

At The Thompson Law Firm in Columbus, Ohio, our personal injury lawyer includes you in every step of the legal process. No lawsuit will be filed unless you agree first and no settlement will be made without your consent.

STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS

The law limits the amount of time you have to file a claim. There is a statute of limitation, or time limit, for both filing a personal injury suit and settling your claim. In some cases, a written claim must be filed before a lawsuit can be brought. This matter should be discussed with the personal injury lawyer.

FEES

The Thompson Law Firm will conduct a free initial consultation with you concerning your case. The Thompson Law Firm does not advance costs. Therefore, a retainer fee is required. Court costs and the related evaluation and litigation expenses are separate from fees. Estate planning and asset protection cases are handled on retainer fee and/or hourly rates. Bodily injury and wrongful death cases are handled on a contingency percentage basis-meaning simply, that our fee will be a percentage of any money damage recovery. A retainer fee is required to cover costs. In addition, there will be no fee unless we make a recovery for the client.

AVAILABILITY

The Thompson Law Firm is on call 24 hours for your emergencies. Home or hospital consultations are available if necessary. Visits will be free. Transportation and hotels can be provided and arranged for you by The Thompson Law Firm. Spanish speaking personnel are available.

REFERRING ATTORNEYS

Referring attorneys remain a welcome part of the trial team, and referral fees will generally reflect the mutual benefit that our clients receive as a result of our referring attorney’s referral or involvement.

CO-COUNSEL AND REFERRALS WITH OTHER ATTORNEYS

Certain bodily injury or wrongful death cases will likely be worked on jointly with other lawyers or firms at no additional fee to the client. Such referrals will be made in accordance with the appropriate Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and in consultation with client approval.