HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A CLAIM?

The law seeks to restore those who have been harmed by the conduct of others. At a basic level, a strong claim will often require both a demonstration of liability and harm, or expected harm. The law generally will not provide compensation for conduct that is offensive or wrong if it hasn’t caused some sort of harm. It is equally insufficient to pursue a legal claim for a harm that has no responsible perpetrator. Even if these elements are believed to have been met, the strength of a claim is a highly individualized and complex question of law and fact that should be explored with the advice of your attorney. 

HOW MUCH IS MY CASE WORTH?

The value of a case cannot be known with much certainty because it largely depends on how a jury views the damages at issue and the conduct of the parties. While economic damages that are readily calculable (wages, benefits, medical bills, etc.) can provide a ballpark idea of case value, there are many factors that will determine how a jury will evaluate your non-economic damages (pain, suffering, mental anguish, future job prospects, etc.). Also relevant to the evaluation is the degree to which you are responsible for any of your own harm and whether you have taken reasonable steps to minimize it. In some cases, if the defendant’s conduct is particularly egregious or fraudulent, a judge or jury may award punitive damages to punish and deter similar conduct in the future, which can also enhance case value.

HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST ME?

At Ulysses Law, PC, cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means that all the costs of litigating your case are advanced by the firm and your attorney does not get paid unless you do. In other words, there are no out of pocket costs or fees when we take a case. Once a successful result is obtained, we collect our fee as a percentage of the recovery and reimburse ourselves for all case costs.

HOW LONG WILL MY CASE TAKE?

Lawsuits can resolve quickly or take decades to complete. The lifespan of a case often depends on the defendant you are up against. In many personal injuries cases, an insurance company will offer a minimal amount of money to settle your claim for much less than what it’s worth. Similarly, in many employment cases, the employer will fight tooth and nail to avoid paying out anything on your claim. Stubborn defendants can prolong litigation and that should be expected. However, more important than knowing how long your case could take is knowing that your attorney is willing to escalate the dispute to trial, if necessary. Because trial is sometimes the only way to secure just compensation, it is best to prepare for the long haul and avoid setting high expectations.

WILL MY CASE SETTLE OR WILL I HAVE TO GO TO COURT?

While your attorney should advise you of the benefits and risks associated with settling or going to trial, this is a decision that you, the Plaintiff, will ultimately have to make. Your attorney cannot make this decision for you. If you cannot accept the highest available offer, you must decide whether it is worth it for you to try and secure a greater result in court. Many factors can tell us whether a case should be settled or tried; you should thoroughly explore all of them with your attorney. In litigation, trial is your best and only alternative to a negotiated agreement, so it is critical that your attorney approach your case from the beginning as if it will go to trial.