Finding A Qualified Trauma Lawyer
The Toronto ABI Network’s Personal Injury Lawyer Database provides unbiased personal injury lawyer profiles so that you find and compare services.
If you have a brain injury as a result of a car crash, your car insurance policy may cover additional benefits that could help you in your recovery. This could include paying for private medical, rehabilitation and personal care that the public health care system does not provide.
The insurance system can be confusing. We recommend that you hire a lawyer with expertise in this area (personal injury) to help you and your family.
Choosing a personal injury lawyer is an important decision. Their work can affect whether you receive the benefits you are entitled to.
Learn more about how to find a lawyer that best meets your needs, including questions to ask prospective lawyers.
Finding the right lawyer for you
The Toronto ABI Network can’t recommend specific law firms. However, the following suggestions can help you find the right lawyer for you:
Choose a lawyer that specializes in personal injury law
Personal injury law and the motor vehicle insurance system can be complex and challenging. A lawyer that specializes in this area will have a better understanding of these issues.
Ask for recommendations
If you know a lawyer, ask him/her to recommend a personal injury lawyer. Ask friends or family members if they have worked with this kind of lawyer before. You can also ask other people that work in the personal injury industry (e.g., case managers) for suggestions.
Talk to several firms before you decide
You should talk to at least three law firms to find out about their personal injury services. This will help you compare services. It will also help you to choose a law firm that you are comfortable with and that will do a good job representing your case. Most personal injury lawyers provide the first visit free of charge and will come to your home or hospital to meet with you.
Ask questions to help you make your choice
Law firms should be happy to answer your questions. Here are a few you may want to ask:
About the law firm
- Does your firm specialize in personal injury law? What has been your firm’s success rate when representing people with a brain injury?
- How long has the firm been in business?
- How many trials has your firm done in the past three years?
- English is not my first language. Is your law firm able to communicate in my language?
About the lawyer
- Who would handle my case – a personal injury lawyer or a paralegal? Would it be the same person from beginning to end? Can I meet with them?
- Do you provide the first consultation (visit) free of charge? Where can you meet me?
- How many other brain injury cases have you handled in the past three years? What has been your success rate with these cases?
Other questions you may also ask:
- Are you Certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Civil Litigation?
- The Certified Specialist designation is awarded to select lawyers who have maintained exemplary standards of professionalism in their field of law.
- Are you recognized as an expert in personal injury law?
- An experienced personal injury lawyer should be listed in the following peer‐reviewed publications: Lexpert, Best Lawyers in Canada, Martindale‐Hubbell.
About the cost
- What are the options for paying for my legal work?
- Who is responsible for payment of drug and medical bills, lost income, transportation and other expenses?
- What if my case is not successfully resolved?
Making the Decision
After you have talked to several personal injury law firms, to help you decide about which law firm to choose, ask yourself:
- How satisfied were you with how each firm answered your questions?
- Do you feel that one of them understands the impact of a brain injury and will be able to represent your case well?
Other Resources
The Toronto ABI Network and its partners do not recommend or endorse any particular lawyer.
Arch Disability Law Centre is a specialty legal aid clinic dedicated to defending and advancing the equality rights of persons with disabilities. Arch is primarily funded by Legal Aid Ontario.
Best Lawyers International produces lists in over 65 countries to help lawyers and clients connect.
Canadian Lawyer offers this special report on the top 10 Canadian personal injury firms.
Law Society of Ontario maintains a directory of certified specialists in civil litigation.
Lexpert – Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory – is a comprehensive guide to leading lawyers across Canada.
Martindale-Hubbell is a database of lawyers that includes ratings by lawyers and clients.