How To Interview Clients II

By Ellsworth T. “Derry” Rundlett III

What to Tell the Client

After you have received answers to some or all of the questions, your attorney will have a pretty good idea as to whether or not the case is worth exploring. If your attorney believes it’s likely your firm will accept the case, set up an appointment and instruct the client on what to do before coming to the office. The following list includes instructions your attorney might ask you to give to the client.

See a doctor. If the client has not yet seen a doctor or visited a medical facility, tell him or her to do so immediately if he or she is in pain or having physical difficulties. It’s appropriate to recommend the client to a specific facility, but I don’t recommend referring him or her to a specific physician at this stage.

Don’t work with pain. Tell the client that if working causes difficulties, substantial discomfort or pain, the client should inquire of his or her doctor about staying out of work temporarily. If the client has been told by the doctor that the decision to work is up to the client, instruct the client that he or she should not be working if his or her employment causes pain or substantial discomfort.

Obtain pictures. Instruct the client to obtain pictures of the subject automobile, place of injury if it’s a premises liability case or item that caused the injury if it’s a product liability case.

Obtain a damage appraisal. If the client’s automobile has been damaged, tell the client to have the damage appraised as soon as possible after all the photos have been taken.

Obtain witness contact in­formation. Tell the client to bring in the names, address­es and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the incident. The importance of this information must be emphasized to the client.

Don’t discuss the case with witnesses. With respect to witnesses, instruct the client not to discuss the case other than to obtain names, addresses and telephone numbers.

Don’t discuss the case in detail. Instruct the client not to discuss the case in detail with anyone and not to give statements to anyone from an insurance company.

Obtain insurance contact information. If the client has been contacted by an insurance company, it’s imperative that he or she obtain the name of the adjuster and the telephone number. Instruct the client to inform the adjuster he or she will be consulting with an attorney and that the attorney will be in touch with the insurance adjuster.

Bring documentation. Instruct the client to bring in any documents relating to his or her case such as medical bills, doctor’s instructions, prescriptions and accident reports filed with the Secretary of State.

Obtain a police report. If the client is able, have him or her obtain the police report before coming to the office.

Don’t delay the first meeting. Tell the client that the first appointment is extremely important and that it should not be postponed unless the circumstances absolutely require it.

Ask questions. Tell the client that time is of the essence and if it’s necessary to answer any questions in the meantime, your firm will be available.

Concern yourself with your recovery. Tell the client his or her primary duty at this time is to be comfortable and to pursue recovery of his or her injuries — the legal details are for your firm to worry about and his or her physical recovery is of the utmost importance.

Creating a Bond

Because you have invested time asking questions and the potential client has invested time answering them, there already is a line of communication — a bond, if you will — between the legal team and the client. This bond will lead the potential client into a sense of commitment and he or she will be unlikely to call another firm.