Our first consultation is free and with no obligation from you. We do not charge you any fee at all unless we recover compensation for you in your injury case. As is true of almost all experienced personal injury firms, our standard fee is a percentage of the recovery. Our ethical code requires that our fee agreement be in writing and we will discuss all options with you before you hire us.
Rather than requiring you to pay us attorney fees on an hourly basis, as your case progresses, sometimes over the course of several years, we receive a percentage from any recovery for our fees and expenses. You don't have to worry about having money to pay us for our work as your case moves forward and we have an extra incentive to maximize your recovery amount.
Yes, a significant number of our clients are referred to us from attorneys who trust us to work with their clients. Because of our reputation for excellence as a trial law firm, we are sometimes asked to assist other firms in representing their clients and to try cases with or for them.
If you are more comfortable with an attorney coming to you, we are happy to do that. We will meet with you in any location that is comfortable for you and we will accommodate your schedule.
Although this is best answered on a case-by-case basis, you have the legal right to pursue a personal injury claim if another party caused your injury through their wrongful actions. It is important to discuss your case with one of our attorneys, as there are many factors that determine what compensation you can recover.
Yes. Unfortunately, insurance companies generally do not provide unrepresented individuals with the fair and just compensation an injured person is entitled to receive under the law. Nor do they provide you with necessary information about your rights and how to protect them. You need someone on your side. At Clifford & Raihala, we have the experience, the expertise and skill you need working for you. We will be with you every step of the way.
Unlike some other firms, you will always work directly with an attorney at Clifford & Raihala. While you work one-on-one with your attorney, he or she will utilize staff expertise or outside experts in any way that may benefit your case. At some firms, your case is handled from start to finish by paralegals, clerks or other staff. At Clifford & Raihala, you will be represented by an attorney, not a staff member.
Not necessarily. A large majority of our cases are resolved without the need to file suit and, of those filed, most are settled before trial. For example, Clifford & Raihala recently was hired in a case where a bicyclist was killed. Another law firm obtained no results at all for the surviving family in over 6 months. Within 3 months of taking it over, we settled the case for $2,000,000 without filing suit or going to trial.
For 40 years, the trial attorneys of Clifford & Raihala have been winning verdicts and settlements for people injured in car, bicycle and motorcycle accidents, as well as in the workplace. The lawyers of Clifford & Raihala are skilled, experienced litigators whose knowledge of the law and commitment to fighting for their clients consistently win results for clients and their families. We deal with insurance companies on a daily basis speak their language. This leads to successful negotiations for our clients.
Our Accomplishments
Your initial consultation will be with an attorney, not a staff person. We will ask you some questions in order to best understand your case. There will be no fee or obligation for this consultation. We know this is a difficult and confusing time for you and your family, but this meeting provides you with the opportunity to explain what happened to you. We will explain your legal rights, how cases such as yours are handled and how we can help you. You will be able to ask us about our experience and similar cases we have handled. It is your chance to see if you feel comfortable with our firm and can trust our ability to help. We are happy to discuss real life examples of the results we have provided clients if you’d like to know about our expertise and track record. If you retain us, we will take the burden of all legal and insurance issues off your shoulders.
Yes. We know jury trials can be emotionally draining for most people. Because we have tried cases to juries ranging from auto collisions to complex claims involving catastrophic injuries or death from acts of negligence, insurance companies respect us and are more likely to settle claims with our firm. But if the insurer will not reasonably compensate you voluntarily, and if we believe we can obtain a better result with a trial, we will tell you and let you decide if you want your case to be tried in court.
We pride ourselves on open and direct communication. Litigation can be a slow and frustrating process. We will make sure that you are kept informed of important events during your case and we invite your questions and concerns regarding those events. We will never settle your case or make an offer to settle without your advance knowledge and approval.
Under the law, persons injured by the negligent conduct of another are entitled to just and adequate compensation under most circumstances.
Damages are determined by a number of factors including: