Tort law, also known as personal injury law, allows an injured person to be compensated when someone else is legally responsible for causing their injury. There are around 179,000 people employed in personal injury law in the US, with more than 400k personal injury cases filed each year. As an injury lawyer, you need extensive knowledge of tort law principles such as negligence, strict liability, intentional acts, and defenses. You must be able to determine if the actions or inactions of a defendant directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
Gain Litigation Experience
It takes seven years to qualify and several more years of litigation experience to become proficient in personal injury law. Working at a law firm that specializes in plaintiff personal injury cases allows you to assist senior attorneys, conduct discovery, draft pleadings and motions, take depositions, negotiate with insurance adjusters, and even gain trial experience. Handling a high volume of cases under the mentorship of seasoned injury lawyers is the best preparation.
Develop Negotiation Skills
Sagi Shaked, the main attorney at Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers, a law firm that handles cases in South Florida, states that around 95% of injury cases settle out of court through negotiations between attorneys. As an injury lawyer, you will need to negotiate skillfully with defense counsel, insurance companies, and other parties to obtain fair compensation for your injured clients. Strong negotiation abilities can maximize case values.
Understand Medicine and Injuries
Medical errors account for 251k fatalities every year in the US, and malpractice personal injury cases often involve complex medical issues. You need to fully understand your client’s injuries, prognosis, and treatment options. Develop a network of medical experts who can evaluate cases and provide expert testimony if needed. Stay up to date on medical terminology and diagnostic procedures. The ability to interpret medical reports and records is essential.
Manage a Busy Caseload
Injury lawyers take on a high volume of cases simultaneously. Most lawyers in large law firms have to juggle many cases at once, possibly hundreds at a time. You need to be organized, detail-oriented, and efficient to juggle multiple cases effectively. Maintain well-organized files, calendars, and checklists. Return phone calls and emails promptly. Develop streamlined systems to move cases forward in a timely manner. Avoid procrastination and backlogged work.
Exhibit Strong Communication Skills
Communication is critical when interviewing clients, corresponding with health providers, negotiating settlements, and presenting arguments. Injury lawyers need to listen attentively, speak persuasively, and write clearly. Be approachable and compassionate when interacting with injured clients.
Stay Current on Laws and Regulations
Laws, court procedures, and insurance regulations frequently change. Read legal publications, take continuing education classes, and network with other personal injury attorneys to stay current. Join professional associations such as the American Association for Justice that provide educational opportunities. Keeping up with the latest developments will make you a better advocate.
The most successful personal injury lawyers have a mix of legal knowledge, litigation experience, negotiation skills, medical understanding, organization, communication abilities, and a commitment to ongoing learning. Develop expertise in these areas to build a rewarding injury law practice.