There are certain expenses, such as court costs and expert witness fees, involved in bringing a medical malpractice or personal injury claim. You do not pay these expenses until the conclusion of the case.

FAQs - Don Miguel Escamilla, PLLC

Q: What if an insurance company contacts me?

If you have been injured, do not discuss your injury or the way it happened until you have consulted a lawyer. Your statements might be incomplete or taken out of context so as to be harmful to your claim at a later date. Do not sign any papers or agree to any settlement, as this may affect your right to pursue your claim. Always seek competent legal advice first. There is no charge for the initial consultation.

Q: Will there be a charge to evaluate my claim?

No., I will meet with you to discuss your injury free of charge. If I accept you as a client, I will obtain the necessary records and evaluate them.

Q: How does Don Miguel Escamilla get paid?

You pay no fee unless we are successful in obtaining compensation for your injury. I handle personal injury claims on a contingent fee basis. This means that the legal fee is a percentage of the amount recovered, and there is no fee due unless and until money is actually collected for you.

Q: Will I have to go to court?

You will not have to go to court unless your case cannot be settled and must be tried. The vast majority of claims are settled before trial; however, because of the many factors involved, it is impossible to predict whether your particular case is one that will be settled or one that must be decided by a jury.

Q: Is it ever too late to bring a claim?

It is important to consult a lawyer as soon as you are aware that you have been injured, because there are statutes of limitations that prohibit the bringing of old claims, and because it is easier to gather information about a recent injury. However, even if you were injured some time ago, you may still be able to bring a claim.

Q: Why should I bring a personal injury or medical malpractice claim?

If you are injured through the fault of someone else, you are entitled by law to compensation for your injuries. This compensation is available not only for expenses you have already incurred, but for losses you will suffer in the future. If you or someone in your family is severely injured, this compensation can protect against changes in family situations, so that the injured person’s future is secure. Also, by bringing a claim you may be able to prevent a similar injury from happening to someone else.

Q: What is the value of my claim?

The value of your claim depends on a variety of factors, such as the severity and permanency of your injury, the amount of your medical expenses, the liability of the defendant, and whether the case is to be tried or settled. It is impossible to estimate the value of a claim until the case has been fully investigated from all aspects, and you should be wary of anyone who tries to tell you the value of your claim at an early stage. As each person’s claim is very different, you should not be misled by verdicts or settlements you hear or read about for similar inquiries, because your individual claim may be worth much more or much less. After I have completed a thorough investigation of your case, I can offer you my opinion as to the value of the claim. If the insurance company offers to settle your claim, I will discuss the proposed settlement with you, and give you advice about whether or not to accept the amount offered. Of course, the ultimate decision as to whether or not to accept the insurance company’s offer of settlement or to allow a jury to determine the value of your injuries is always up to you.