New Client Information | Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec
Moving Forward – Together.
We Welcome and Thank you for the Opportunity to Help You!
Our entire office strives to do everything possible to assist our new clients in every way possible, and we promise to try and provide prompt attention to each and every aspect of your case. We know that good communication is the foundation of a successful attorney-client relationship, and we will work together with you as a team, so you can focus on your recovery and family while we take care of the rest.
At your first appointment with us, you will be introduced to our staff, including your Case Manager, who will be your primary point of contact, and have a chance to discuss your case thoroughly with an Attorney. Bring us as much information as possible, as soon as possible, to help us get started.
Your medical care and case details will be the initial focus at first, and any questions, concerns, or other issues can be addressed with either your Case Manager or Attorney. Until your case is resolved, we should communicate with you at least once a month, so we know how you are doing, and you know what we are accomplishing for you as the case progresses.
Any questions or concerns that you have should be immediately discussed as soon as possible, either with your Case Manager or your Attorney. There are no bad questions, except the ones not asked!
Stay In Touch ! – Here is how we can be reached to share information with us:
There are many ways for us to communicate with you about your case, so choose what is best for you, and keep in touch with us;
Our GOALS for you:
Our COMMITMENTS to you:
Your RESPONSIBILITIES:
Our whole team is dedicated to working hard for you. However, YOU are part of the team as well, and everyone involved has the same goal, to facilitate and maximize your recovery. But we need your help, and need you to follow these important steps:
Prioritizing Your Health & Recovery is Essential
We believe that good health is more important than money, and while it is our job to get the most money we can for you, it is more important that you get better and reach the best medical recovery from your injuries - and the sooner the better. A consistent course of medical care gets you there, and the records from each visit help us prove your case and document the injuries for both adjusters and jurors. It is impossible to prove a significant injury without a documented course of medical care in the medical records. Generally, the following things get accomplished in the first weeks of our representation:
Then, continued consistent medical treatment is most important. All medical decisions are between you and your physician, and we cannot give you any medical advice, nor recommend any medical procedures, however, we will try to help facilitate treatment which you need and feel comfortable with. All medical treatment decisions are yours to make, and we will support your decisions.
Your medical treatment is the best evidence for how we will be able to prove your injuries to the insurance companies, judges, and juries. If you do not go to the doctor, or are inconsistent with your appointments and treatment, it will be argued that you were not really injured, limiting the amount of money you recover. Gaps in appointments and delayed treatment, even for good reason, will be used against you, so completing a consistent course of medical care is best for you and your claim. This is the part of the claim that takes the longest because you must finish your medical treatment, then we must receive all bills and medical records from doctors’ offices to include in the settlement demand.
Car Repairs, Rental Vehicles and Transportation Solutions
After a car crash, getting your vehicle fixed is a priority, so you can keep up with your responsibilities at home and work. We can help, and take no fees for agreed repairs. The owner decides where the repairs are done, and the shop will provide a warranty for their work, so choosing a place you trust is important.
Depending on the insurance involved, rental cars may be provided, but not always, and some repair shops have loaners. Alternatively, our office can provide medical appointment transportation and Uber rides for clients while their repairs are being done. Speak with your case manager about how we can help with your vehicle repair and address your transportation needs, so you can get back on the road as quickly as possible.
Resolving Your Claims – What to Expect:
Once you are ready to settle your claim, and we have all your medical bills and records, along with any loss wages documentation, we will prepare and send a settlement package to the insurance companies, that explains why they should settle the claim, and documents all of the consequences suffered that you can be compensated for under the law. We will review this with you before sending it to the adjuster, to ensure it is complete and accurate.
We want this to be a complete and comprehensive account for the adjuster, and we expect a response and initial settlement offer from the adjuster within 30 days of sending it. You will be notified of any offer, and we will negotiate with that adjuster until they have made their “best” offer to you. The decision to settle and accept the “best” offer, or not, is YOUR decision. OUR job is to get the best offer we can from the adjuster and explain to you what it means to you if accepted.The Realities of Injury Claims and Insurance Companies – Things you MUST know!
Insurance companies are not in the business of doing what is in YOUR best interests, and they do not have any timelines, obligations, or other duties to you, if you have a claim against their insured defendant. That means, in Texas they do not have to do anything for you while your claim is pending, including acting in good faith, or even responding to calls and letters. In fact, there is nothing prohibiting them from lying to you (or even us!) and doing anything they can to defeat or lessen the value of your claim. Whatever information insurance companies can get, they will try to use it against you, so never speak with the insurance companies and always refer them to our office.
You can never trust the defendant’s insurance company – EVER. If fact, you should assume they are doing everything they can to pay you nothing, including:
The only thing the insurance companies are required to do is provide a defense lawyer once a lawsuit is filed, and pay any judgment after a trial, within their policy limit. However, most insurance companies DO want to settle claims without having them litigated, to avoid paying defense lawyers and litigation costs, but they want to pay as little settlement money as possible. As all settlements involve a ONE-TIME payment, in exchange for you signing a full and final release of all claims, never sign anything, unless your lawyer has reviewed, approved it, and fully explained it to you. The BEST way to resolve an injury claim is when the client accepts a settlement proposal, knowing exactly what it means to them, so the client decides the outcome of the case.
Thank you for your trust in allowing us to represent you and your family.
