Should You Sue? What to Consider Before You Sue 

should you sueA court case seems to be the defense at any sight of discomfort. The statement “I’ll sue you” has become more famous than the king of pop’s classic songs. Before you threaten a lawsuit, always ask, “Should I sue?” A lawsuit isn’t always the solution. 

Sometimes, it isn’t a solution, and you may find other ways to address an issue.

Before you file a lawsuit to break the record as the world’s most litigious human, consider these factors. 

1. Cause of Action

By cause of action, we mean having a case. The fact that you have a grievance doesn’t mean you have a legal claim. In civil cases, the burden of proof rests on the plaintiff. For instance, the fact that you got injured while on a job doesn’t mean you have a course of action. 

Or the fact that you got hit by a car doesn’t mean the driver will be liable to pay damages. 

In personal injury cases like this, you must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant is responsible for the injury. You’ll need medical reports and witnesses. The defendants will also try to prove that they are not directly responsible for your medical predicament. 

2. Can You Afford the Lawsuit?

Lawsuits are pretty expensive. Besides the cost of hiring an attorney, filing a case comes with different charges. 

One way to determine this is to ask your lawyer how much you may win from the case. And what you have to lose if things go south. That way, you can answer the question of whether or not you can afford the lawsuit. But some of the expenses to expect are: 

  • Attorney
  • Court fees
  • Process server’s costs 
  • Filling fees 

After considering the cost, now ask, “should you sue?”

3. Did You Suffer a Loss?

Most of the time, people go to court for justice and to recover a loss. The question is, did you suffer a loss that you will get damages for in court? In civil cases, you may win monetary awards for your loss. But in criminal cases, it’s often more than that. It’s about justice. 

You can either get economic damages or noneconomic damages for your loss. 

4. Can You Secure the Judgment

How would it feel to spend weeks or months in court dragging a lawsuit, and in the end, the defendant can’t afford to pay damages? That would be a waste of time. Some individuals or businesses may not have the resources to pay the cost of damages. 

Hence, people often sue insurance companies or huge companies for damages in personal injury cases. You’ll be certain they have the resources to ensure you collect the judgment. 

5. Have You Tried To Settle Out Of Court

Try to see things from the defendant’s perspective and consider if they have a value defense against your case. You may have a better chance of getting better damages by trying to resolve amicably than by spending time and money on a court case. 

Are you completely blame-free? Is your case 100% foolproof? If the answer to these questions is no, try settling out of court to save costs and avoid excessive stress. 

6. Do You Have Time For a Lawsuit

A lawsuit may last months or sometimes years. Can you combine it with your current job and see it through? If you are considering handling the case yourself without an attorney, you should consider all the paperwork you’ll need to fill out yourself. Also, your documents, evidence, and subpoenas must follow the court rules to be accepted. 

So, handling the court case yourself may not be an option if you can’t take the time to learn.  

7. What If You Lose? 

You may have the cause of action or a great case and still lose. Then what happens? Ask your attorney about your chances and what happens when you lose. It’s best to be prepared to handle your loss if you do. 

But sometimes, it boils down to hiring the right attorney. Of course, you have the option to appeal your case. Note that appeal could be expensive and time-consuming. 

8. Can You Bring Your Case Before a Small Claim Court?

You can bring certain cases before small claim court. In a small claim court, you can represent yourself, but you still need to maintain some decorum and court orders. 

 

Before you file a case, consult an attorney. You don’t always have to sue—sometimes, ADR is your best bet. 

Read More

5 Mind-blowing Law Firm Blog Post Ideas to Attract New Clients

Blow firm blog ideas Often overlooked in the legal world, blogging is an aspect of SEO that can bring an influx of new clients to your firm. Blogging yields unending results, even for a law firm. Not utilizing the ability to create content is one of the greatest mistakes any law firm can make in this digital world. 

However, blogging needs to be done right to generate the best results. What does this mean? When you create unique blog posts that clients find interesting, you can bet it will keep them coming! 

We’ll expose the excellent law firm blog ideas that will attract a steady flow of new clients to your law firm. Keep reading for more.   

1. The Ultimate Guide to Local Legislation Changes

The law keeps evolving. In fact, laws that were valid a few years back could be obsolete today. When the law changes, the public should be informed, especially when it relates to a topic that interests several people. 

The tricky part about such articles is that you won’t be the only firm to write about them. So, speed is essential. Wanna know what’s even more important? Details, accuracy, and quality. 

When you write quality content and explain difficult laws in layman’s terms, you have a high chance of ranking. 

Better ranking on SERPs equals visibility and more clients. 

Keep that up, and you’ll get authoritative backlinks from top media platforms, especially when your content is detailed. If you know anything about SEO, you’ll understand that such links are gold mines.

Such press attention is excellent publicity for your law firm. 

2. Trials and Discovery Guides On Different Legal Areas

The legal process could be rocket science for some of your clients. And that’s not surprising; not everyone visits courts. Before a case goes to trial, it must have undergone certain processes—not everyone knows! People often take information that the media feeds them; sometimes, the media doesn’t go into details. 

As an authority in the legal world, you can inform people about the trial process, discovery, and what to expect. 

Educate your potential clients on the alternatives to trial and how they can address situations within your area of specialization. Armed with that knowledge, they can boldly make informed decisions, such as hiring a legal representative when needed. Guess whose firm they would consider? Yours. 

3. Interactive FAQ Questions

Law is open-ended, and there are many possibilities. A seemingly simple question may have several much-untapped potentials beyond a few lines of answer.  

Check out frequently asked questions in your field and build every possible answer. What are the other possibilities that may arise? What are the options? Are there exceptions to the rule? This can turn a question with a 3 sentence answer into one with a 1500-word answer. 

Explore the hidden potentials in frequently asked questions. 

4. Preparing For Initial Consultation with Lawyers

Most newbies find the first consultation to be a pretty murky territory. The uncertainty leaves them confused and unsure about what to do when they actually meet a lawyer. 

Why not ease that tension with certainty? Educate your potential clients on what to expect during a first consultation. A few of your potential clients research this online to be better prepared for the meeting. Be the solution to their problem.

New blog post titles5. Blog About Notable Cases You Won

Suppose you have handled notable cases in the past; a blog about them! Most popular cases get media publicity, and you certainly want the press to link back to your website. If you don’t seize this opportunity, your competitors will. Trust us, you don’t want to lose such a golden opportunity to your competitors. 

Write the full details of the case, the trial process, appeal, facts, and verdict. The more detailed, the better. Some news platforms will refer to this while creating a report on the case. And that’s precisely what you need. It can take your SEO from 0 to 100%.

Bottom Line For Law Firm Blog Ideas

Law is a vast field with numerous ideas that can put your website at the fingertips of your potential clients. It’s all about getting creative enough to convert these ideas into brilliant pieces. We trust that this article will set you up on the right path. Get started with these law firm blog ideas. 

 

Read More

5 Great Marketing Tips to Improve Your Law Firm’s Online Visibility

Law Firm Marketing

Every job company in today’s world needs digital marketing tips. As a lawyer, internet marketing propels your visibility and helps you meet the online needs of your potential customers. 

Before people make crucial decisions like hiring a lawyer, they do a quick search. Hence, improving your digital strategy boosts your customer acquisition and engagement. With your potential clients’ behavior evolving daily, your first encounter with them would most likely be online! 

It simply means you have to double up your digital marketing efforts to hasten your business development. In this article, we’ll tell you how to do just that. 

1. Optimize Your Website for SEO

Your website is a digital representation of your law firm. To remain competitive in the digital world, you need a solid website that serves your potential and existing clients. Since most of your clients are locals, your website should display your services and provide high-quality content. 

Always answer popular legal questions in your field and project your values on your website. Finally, mobile-friendly websites are crucial because most web traffic comes from mobile devices. Only mobile-friendly websites thrive on search engines. 

2. Leverage Local SEO

Most people search for law firms within their locality. Thus, local SEO is essential. With local SEO, your website will be visible to people who require your services around you. How can you improve your local SEO

Quickly, here are things to consider: 

Local citations: Ensure your firm is listed in local directories with all your details. Include your business name, address, and contact information. This listing validates your business credibility. 

Google My Business Optimization: Complete your profile on Google My Business and include all business information. 

Generally, SEO means using the right strategies and words to buff up your rank on search engines. 

It also includes doing thorough keyword research to find topics that interest clients around you. Answer controversial questions and give opinions on local legal issues. All these contribute to your SEO. 

Besides keyword research, focus on technical SEO. Optimize all your pages by adding alt texts to your images, paying attention to your HTML tags, adding meta descriptions and optimized meta titles, etc. 

3. Engaging Content Creation

People gravitate towards companies or firms that have authority in a field. That’s why we emphasize the need to become an authority in your field. 

There are different ways to achieve this, but they are all embedded in quality content creation. 

From blog posts to infographics and videos, let your content provide value. Dispel information so excellently that your clients perceive you as an authority in any legal matter. 

4. Social Media Strategy

Social media is a vital aspect of digital marketing for law firms. It allows you to bond and form a trust-based relationship with your clients before they walk into your office. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are great for word-of-mouth advertising

Hire a great social media manager to create a professional profile and improve your business image. An active social media platform makes you easily accessible to potential clients. This is an added advantage because most clients spend their time on social media!

Digital marketing tips5. Email Marketing

Time and time again, email marketing has proven to be a potent internet market tactic with a stable ROI. As a law firm, you will significantly benefit from email marketing. 

To form a formidable email marketing strategy, ask your clients to subscribe when they visit your page. You can also offer them an incentive in exchange for their email address. Frankly, every excellent email marketing strategy starts with an email subscription list. 

Final Verdict on Digital Marketing Tips For Lawyers

These digital marketing tactics will enhance your firm’s visibility on search engines. So, start by building a website and practice quality content creation, email marketing, and SEO. 

Before you know it, you’ll become an authority in your field. Ready to become a go-to legal practitioner in your city? Get to work with these strategies. 

 

Read More

Succeeding as a Solo Lawyer: The Ultimate Guide

You strive to work hard each day– winning high-value cases or drafting a summary judgment motion only to get underpaid. Or you put in your all daily only to endure a jerky, ungrateful boss. 

That sucks. And maybe it’s time to go solo. 

But this decision begs the question, “How do you get your first client as a solo lawyer?” Or better still, “What do you need to set out as a solo lawyer?” 

Luckily, law is a profession that requires little or nothing to get going. There are some tips, however, that guarantee that you will succeed as a solo lawyer. Because taking on a dual role as an entrepreneur and a lawyer isn’t a walk in the park without proper guidance. We’ll discuss each tip in this full guide. 

1. Start with the Math

You should do quite a bit of mathematics before starting out. As the saying goes, you plan to fail if you fail to plan. Before you start your solo law firm, have all your financial details right. Do thorough market research to prepare a financial forecast so you know what to expect. 

What are your monthly expenses? How much do you need to keep your business running for the first month? Also, consider your taxes while you are at it. 

This provides an informed understanding of your monthly income. How much must you charge to make the estimated amount in a month? 

Note that you must do market research and align your focus practice area with the market demand. 

succeeding as a solo lawyer

2. Choose a Niche

While big firms may specialize in several proactive areas, solo lawyers have to niche down. Niching down is vital to standing out in the saturated legal world. But before you focus on an area of practice, you must consider several factors beyond passion. 

Let’s examine some of these factors closely: 

Do market research: As a solo lawyer, you must first research the market to determine the area of practice in demand. Research thoroughly to avoid carving a niche in an area of law that has yet to gain popularity in your area. 

Focus on Your Strength: What are your areas of strength? If you have experience in family law, it might be a good idea to focus on divorce and family law. 

Assess your competitors: Researching your competitors gives you an edge in your field. It helps you understand their strengths and weaknesses. 

3. Get your Website and Make It Worth it. 

You are probably wondering why you need a website as a solo lawyer. But that’s where branding comes in. As a solo lawyer, you need all the online publicity you can get, starting with a great website. Your website should reflect your firm’s value, services, and contact details. 

Make it as attractive as possible and focus on SEO efforts to boost your visibility. Many of your clients are online these days, so you need to make your website worth visiting. Do you have a family member who designs websites? Now might be a good time to call in a favor. 

4. Determine Your Pricing Strategy 

This is where it starts getting tricky. As a solo lawyer, you must establish a pricing strategy. That starts with picking the billing model that works best for you. 

For example, do you want to charge hourly, contingencies, or fixed fees? One easy way to decide is to check how your competitors charge for their services. You will definitely get ideas from this. Furthermore, you should consider all the costs of running your firm. 

5. Tap into Your Network

Always use the network at your disposal to your benefit! You probably have links with people who have connections with your potential clients. For instance, a physical therapist might be the connection you need as a personal injury lawyer. However, be careful informing the clients from your current law firm about your decision to start off as a solo lawyer.

Becoming a Solo Lawyer: In A Nutshell

Solo lawyering is a scary defeat and may seem impossible. But you need to make the move, or you’ll regret it in a few years. 

Don’t make such moves without adequate plans; this will set you up for failure before you get your first client. Focus on these tips and do your due diligence before taking the first step. 

Read More

3 Simple LinkedIn Best Practices For Lawyers

People who ignore social media in this world are gradually being left behind. Social media is vital for lawyers to stay relevant in the legal scene. One social media platform that an attorney will benefit significantly from is LinkedIn. 

The professional setting exposes your brand to relationships that could benefit you in the long run. But you need to position yourself well to reap these benefits. Most lawyers open a social media account and do little or nothing to grow it. 

Well, if that’s your idea of growing your law firm, you are not better than someone who doesn’t have an account. 

How can you use LinkedIn like a pro to build your Law brand? We’ll explore some LinkedIn best practices for Lawyers. Keep reading for simple tips that will make a big difference. 

1. Have a Guy Or Girl For Everything, i.e. Networking

You know how you sometimes have different people who can help with different things when the need arises? Yeah, that’s what we mean. It helps a great deal to connect with lawyers from various practice areas. 

As a family lawyer, you should network with a corporate lawyer, personal injury lawyer, etc. Why? These relationships lead to a harvest of referrals. And sometimes, partnering with them could lead to beneficial deals in the future. What does this have to do with LinkedIn? 

Well, there’s no limit to the quality of connections you can make on Linkedin. So, before you connect with just anybody, know that you should be more strategic with your networking. 

Beyond connecting with Lawyers, you should connect with your past clients on Linkedin. It’s a surefire way to facilitate repeat business and referrals from their end. Word-of-mouth marketing at its finest!

2. Be an Influencer, I.e., Thought Leadership

Reflect on every time you have had to purchase something online. You always opt for someone who seems quite solid in the industry—it’s safer that way. 

Similarly, your clients won’t put their cases in the hands of someone who doesn’t seem competent. Position yourself as a thought leader in your field. Create content your audience will benefit from—it could be an opinion on a controversial issue or simple educative posts on your LinkedIn. 

The truth is, the more you seem to know exactly what you are doing, the more people trust you to represent them. 

Of course, there is sometimes nothing wrong with creating funny infographics or memes. But always keep it professional. 

linkedin best practices for lawyers 3. Join Linkedin Professional Groups

LinkedIn has several beneficial groups where you may display your proficiency. While you may need approval to join some of these groups, you’ll also find several free groups. There, you’ll bond with like-minded people and create networking opportunities for yourself, which is a great way to snag some referrals. 

But you have to be active in such groups. Be a starter—start conversations, make contributions, express yourself, and be in the middle of important discussions. Basically, you should be in the spotlight; that way, you are selling yourself. 

Note that some groups may not benefit you in any way. What does that mean? Some groups are highly generic and discuss pretty generic topics that may not necessarily be worth your time. Watch out for such groups and steer clear of them. 

Moreover, avoid wasting time in dormant groups with little or no activities. 

4. Upgrade Your Profile

All the previous LinkedIn best practices for lawyers are pointless if your profile isn’t attractive enough. Your profile should scream, “You’ll get value by connecting with me!” (that had better be true as well). People will check out your page whenever you connect with people or your post pops up. 

Hence, feel free to brag about your accomplishments on LinkedIn. In this space, boasting is allowed—let your profile speak for you. And you better make it speak loudly and positively. 

Put up some professional photos. Originality isn’t entirely a thing in the digital world. We get inspiration from others to create something unique. So, take inspiration from people’s profiles to create a profile that befits your noble profession. 

You don’t have to do much to expand your LinkedIn presence as a lawyer. These tips will help you every step of the way while you promote your law practice. Good luck with practicing LinkedIn best practices for lawyers!

Read More

Next Steps To Take When Workers’ Compensation Claims are Denied

Law Firm Marketing

You just got denied workers’ compensation. What next? This fact leaves you confused with health issues and financial strain. All these take a toll on your mental health, and no one deserves that. 

Workers compensation is a safety net that provides medical and financial support to employees injured at work. However, it’s not always as easy as it sounds. Work compensation insurance companies often deny worker comp claims. 

But if you genuinely deserve it, you shouldn’t relent until you get what you deserve. Keep reading for better insights into why compensation claims get denied and the next point of action when it does. 

Why Do Claims Get Denied?

Common factors that lead to denied workers’ compensation claims are as follows: 

Insufficient Evidence of Work-Related Injury

Evidence is a crucial factor that can swing the pendulum in your favor. When you can’t prove that your injury occurred as a result of your work activities, you may get denied. So, factors like lack of medical documentation, witness statements, etc., may affect this. 

Missed Deadlines

To understand this better, check your state’s statute of limitations because each state has a timeline for reporting such injuries. If you file your claims later than required, you may risk automatic claim denial

Discrepancies in Claim Details

When you file your claim and present evidence, the two need to be consistent. Any inconsistency, even as small as how the injury occurred, may be detrimental to your claims. 

Inadequate Claim Documentation

While filing claims, you need to complete your paperwork diligently. Failure to provide complete or correct details could result in a denial. You should also include all the necessary reports and medical evaluations. 

Immediate Steps After Workers’ Compensation Claims Denial

What should you do immediately after you receive a denial? For one, don’t give up. Denial doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance anymore. Here are some precise steps that can affect your appeal: 

Thorough Review of the Denial Letter

Before doing anything else, examine the denial letter thoroughly. In it, you’ll find details on the appeal, especially the reason for the denial. These details will inform your next line of action. 

Collecting Additional Evidence

If your claim failed due to lack of evidence, you can find more evidence to support your claim. This could include witnesses who experienced the incident, documentation, or extra reports. Ensure you address every issue stated in the denial letter before appealing.

Correcting Discrepancies

Finally, correct any discrepancies in your paperwork and attach necessary documents where required. These little attempts to improve your claims add up eventually. Most importantly, check to confirm that you addressed every issue meticulously. 

How to Appeal a Denied Claim? 

Before securing a workers’ compensation hearing, you need an attorney. Why? Consulting them gives you a better chance of winning your appeal. They have insight into the complexities of workers’ compensation and your legal standing in the case. 

An experienced worker’s comp attorney will strategically plan your appeal to improve your case. They’ll advise you on the most convincing evidence, etc. 

Now, when you secure a hearing, you have to prove two essential things: 

The first one is that the injury happened while you were working.

The second one is causality. You have to be able to prove that the injury caused your current medical condition. 

If you fail to prove either of the two, your chances of winning your appeal are low. 

Proving that an injury occurred on a job is pretty straightforward. You can make a convincing case for yourself with your account of the event and vital witnesses. However, medical causality is challenging to prove without a great attorney and a great doctor. 

You essentially need to convince the court that you didn’t have medical conditions that could be the root cause of your medical issues. Proving this requires several medical reports, X-rays, and previous medical records. 

Final Words

As a worker with a denied claim, we suggest seeking an attorney’s expertise. A lawyer familiar with worker’s comp will understand the whole case better. They can usually guide you on the steps to take while appealing. 

Read More

Divorce Mediation vs. Litigation: Which Perfect Is For You?

Law Firm Marketing

Deciding to get a divorce exposes you to chains of issues. You’ll need to make several decisions off the bat. Some easy. Some tricky. Yet this phase comes with its fair share of emotional baggage. 

However, the chief decision is to choose between mediation and litigation while getting a divorce. 

This is one of the tricky decisions because it influences your emotional well-being or future relations with your ex-spouse. 

Litigation is a formal process in which a judge imposes orders through court judgments and resolves disputes. On the other hand, divorce mediation involves a third party who facilitates dialogue to help estranged couples reach a mutual separation agreement.

What’s your best bet while separating? When should you opt for either of the options? Well, keep reading. We’ll walk you through what you should know about litigation and mediation. 

What is Divorce Mediation?

It’s an interactive process where an impartial, neutral party resolves conflicts between estranged couples. The third party involves negotiation and communication techniques. 

Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution method to resolve differences and reach a mutually beneficial consensus. What are the perks of divorce mediation? 

One benefit is that it’s less expensive than actual litigation. You only have to pay court filing fees and the mediator’s fee. Typically, the parties split the mediator’s fee, reducing the financial burden on each party. 

Another benefit is the private mediation sessions and quick resolution times. This privacy means you can separate without airing your dirty linens outside. 

Since you’ll reach a mutual agreement with your partner, meditation preserves a healthy post-divorce relationship. Most times, the children enjoy the best parent-child relationship possible after a divorce.

Put simply, opt for meditation if you are open to compromise and wish to pursue negotiations in good faith. 

How Does Divorce Litigation Work? 

In divorce litigation, facts and evidence prevail and influence the judge’s final decisions, binding on the parties. It’s the traditional way of dissolving marriage, where each party presents their case before a court and undergoes a formal proceeding. 

One of the perks of litigation is the judge’s binding decisions and enforcement of legal precedents. Divorce litigation works when parties are noncooperative or require complex asset division. 

The judge makes a ruling binding on both parties with the option to appeal when needed. Cases involving domestic abuse or disputes over child custody often lead to divorce litigation. Sometimes, couples opt for this option when the parties can’t reach an amicable agreement after trying mediation. 

Divorce Mediation vs. Litigation: Making a Decision 

To finally choose the right route for separation, you’ll need to confirm these factors: 

Cost 

Litigation is pricier than mediation. However, it costs more money and more time. Spending money on divorce lawyers and court procedures and wasting more time could be a turnoff. Mediation, on the other hand, is more straightforward, costs less, and typically has a shorter procedure.

Time

Divorce mediation cuts out some court schedules and legal procedures to conclude faster. However, litigation could last months or years, depending on the case’s complexity. Sometimes, lengthy court backlogs also drag litigation time, so the parties sometimes have to wait years before getting justice. 

Emotional Toll

During a mediation process, the parties are less adversarial and more collaborative. Hence, the families and estranged couples experience less emotional strain. Conversely, litigation’s confrontational nature causes bitterness and more stress–even for the kids. 

Outcomes

Litigations don’t always lead to satisfactory judgment. The court makes decisions based on discretion, which isn’t always favorable to the parties’ opinions. 

On the contrary, mediation offers a chance to customize their agreements, promoting mutual satisfaction. 

Bottom Line

Couples seeking a less expensive way to divorce and willing to compromise may opt for mediation. For mediation to work, both parties should have a balanced playing field. It might be difficult to reach a consensus if either of the spouses has the upper hand. Finally, both parties must be willing to compromise and commit to the process. 

If any of the spouses is deceitful or ready for outright battle, mediation won’t work. You are better off with divorce litigation. 

The complexity of your situation and the kind of relationship between the couple also affect the best option for you.

Alternatively, you can resolve some issues through mediation and narrow down the litigious matters. 

 

Read More