Oklahoma Litigation Attorney

Deciding to hire a lawyer is similar to taking your car to the mechanic or hiring a contractor to do a home repair. You could potentially do these tasks yourself if you have the necessary skill, experience and training; but there’s a lot that can go wrong.

Like a mechanic or a contractor, an Oklahoma litigation attorney is equipped with a specific skill set to handle civil claims. There are four main benefits to hiring an attorney:

1. Knowledge of the law: Lawyers spend at least three years in law school, becoming familiar with every aspect of the law. After that, they have to demonstrate their knowledge by taking a licensing exam (called the bar exam). Throughout their career, lawyers continue studying and honing their skills.

The law is complex, ever-changing, and difficult to navigate. It is an attorney’s job to stay updated on these changes and intimately familiar with the laws that affect your case.

2. Experience Valuing Claims: Knowing how much a personal injury lawsuit is worth or determining the damages from a wrongful termination requires taking into account a lot of factors.

As an individual, you may be offered a settlement from the other party, but how do you know if it’s fair? Are you leaving money on the table? A litigation attorney can value your claim and help you fight for adequate compensation.

3. Leveling the Playing Field: Whether you’re dealing with an insurance company, an employer, or a large business, you can be reasonably sure that you’re up against a team of attorneys whose mission is to keep as much money in the hands of their clients’ by paying you as little as possible.

These lawyers could engage in several tactics that can intimidate you or convince you that your case is worth less. Having an attorney on your side allows you to be on equal footing.

4. Advocacy: When you hire a lawyer, the firm’s job is to represent you and argue for your rights. This includes representing you on phone calls, in meetings, and in the courtroom. You don’t have to go it alone.

If you’re the plaintiff in a civil litigation case, most Oklahoma attorneys (including Bryan Garrett) work on a contingency basis. This term means that the lawyer will represent you without charging anything upfront.

After your case is settled, the attorney will retain a percentage of your settlement to cover their fees, and the rest of the money is dispersed to you. There could also be deductions for expenses related to medical care and other services that you’ve received that would normally be paid out-of-pocket.

According to a recent report from Cornell University, about 4% of civil claims end up in court. Whether your case goes to trial or gets settled well before that, you can count on Bryan Garrett to be by your side from start to finish.

The short answer is no. This is especially true if you receive your settlement offer before consulting with an attorney. Depending on the facts of your case, you may receive a settlement offer that is well below what your case is worth. Once you accept an offer, it can be extremely difficult to resume the negotiation process.

Before saying yes to a settlement, speak to an attorney to determine if you are being offered a fair amount that includes all aspects of your damages.