FAQ

The legal minds at Falcon Law have compiled the following answers to frequently asked legal questions. This page contains general information — for specific questions regarding your circumstances or how quickly we can file your case, contact us directly for a free consultation regarding your situation.

How can a lawyer help me?

A dedicated trial lawyer helps you by investing a considerable commitment to your success upfront. When Falcon Law takes you on as a client, we invest our firm’s time, money, and resources to prepare the strongest case possible for you and your family. This may involve hiring expert witnesses to support your case, hiring graphic artists to prepare computer-generated displays, and using videographers to record testimony gathered during in-person depositions.

These examples are in addition to bringing up-to-date legal knowledge and experience to every case. We display the temperament needed to act professionally when dealing with potentially aggressive opposing counsel, and we exhibit the time management skills to meet your case’s deadlines. Also importantly, we always make time for the 1:1 communications you deserve.

Why should I choose Falcon Law Firm?

When you call us or fill out the contact form on the side of this page, we will set up a time so we can discuss your case with you in depth. Our lawyers are aware that your injuries or losses can be painful to talk about. We meet with our clients in private in our office or in your home so you can feel at ease discussing your case. Once we understand the facts of your case and sign you on as a client, we strategically prepare your case for court.

Oftentimes, our victories come from settlement offers we receive just before a case is scheduled to go to trial. This is why it is so important that you choose your lawyer carefully. You want to make sure that your lawyers have the skill, experience, and commitment to make your case rock-solid and to negotiate a settlement offer properly.

Our negotiation methods are based on our firm’s deep knowledge of the trial process, our constant research of the law, and our assessment of pending legislation. In summary, you should choose Falcon Law Firm because our experience offers you the greatest chance of winning a fair settlement or a court victory.

How do I know if a lawyer is right for me?

The best way to evaluate whether a particular lawyer will handle your case well is the track record of their successful settlements and verdicts. If they have negotiated and won cases just like or similar to yours, you can have confidence in their abilities.

On an interpersonal level, the lawyer who is right for you and your family is one who listens to your concerns, answers your questions thoroughly, and keeps you updated on the progress of your lawsuit. Personal injury cases can be life-altering, up-ending your household and future. Your attorney from Falcon Law Firm meets your needs with the gravity and respect your situation deserves.

How do I settle on a fee with a lawyer?

When searching for the right attorney, an excellent question to ask is their standard fee amount. We at Falcon Law work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we agree with you beforehand on a set percentage of the final settlement or verdict that will pay for our services. If we do not recover money for you, you will owe no fees to our attorneys.

Essentially, we win only when you win, side by side. We do this because we understand that families face financial as well as emotional hardships after an injury, and often do not have the ability to pay upfront. Contingency fees help us further accommodate your needs.

Do all cases go to court?

No, and in fact many personal injury cases can be negotiated fairly outside of court in mediations, or settled successfully without having to complete the full trial process.

However, your attorney should be perfectly comfortable and capable of going to court on your behalf, and trying a case before a judge if necessary. If you personally do not want to attend court proceedings, your attorney can often show up for you instead (an exception would be if your in-person testimony is required).

If you would rather settle quickly before the case goes to trial, we will always take your wishes into consideration. However, it’s important to understand that judges have the power to award higher compensation payouts in the form of “punitive damages” — essentially punishment fees if they feel the other party has acted unfairly, poorly, or maliciously.

To be clear: the work associated with going to court is our job, not yours. We will explain all of your options as your case progresses, and adhere to your choices as our client.

How long does a lawsuit take?

In general, most personal injury lawsuits are completed between 6 months and 2 years from the date of filing. The legal system can sometimes be a slow process, and cases that are more complex or involve multiple points of liability may take longer to litigate.

Once your consultation is complete, your attorney from Falcon Law Firm will be able to give you an educated opinion on how long a case may take to settle or win. This will be based on our direct experience with similar cases, but is still nevertheless a “rough estimate” on the timeframe, because each case develops uniquely.

In the end, what is most important is that your case is investigated thoroughly and resolved fairly.

What is the filing deadline (statute of limitations) for my case?

Your window of opportunity to file a lawsuit could be anywhere between 1 and 6 years.

Your state’s statute of limitations dictates how long you have to file a personal injury case before the window closes. While there are some exceptions for cases of medical malpractice (like in surgical situations where the injury is invisible until symptoms appear) or for children and minors (who cannot file lawsuits independently), these limitations can be very strict.

In both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where Falcon Law regularly operates, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date of the injury. Your attorney will keep on top of all the relevant filing deadlines and paperwork for your case so that you don’t have to worry about missing your chance for justice.

What are the differences between a settlement and damages awards?

A settlement is a pre-or-mid-trial agreement reached between the parties involved in the lawsuit. While insurance companies or other entities may offer an initial settlement amount, the higher settlements are usually the result of negotiations. Having a lawyer represent you for these negotiations can greatly increase your payout, as we have the experience and knowledge to know a lowball offer when we see one. An attorney’s advocacy also reduces the amount of work, stress, and time that you have to spend on legal matters instead of healing, enjoying friends and family, and getting your life back to normal.

In comparison, a damages award is the result of a judge or jury trial. The same evidence that is discussed in negotiations is brought before the court, and your lawyer makes a case for why the amount of damages requested is fair. A damages award has the potential to be far larger than a settlement amount, because the court has more discretion in awarding what they think is fair regardless of whether the opposing side agrees.

In both instances, your attorney prepares evidence, does all the relevant research necessary to prove liability and cost, and facilitates witness and expert testimony as needed.

What types of damages can I recover?

Damages frequently covered by personal injury lawsuits include medical bills for emergency and ongoing treatment, lost wages or employment-related benefits or opportunities, as well as pain and suffering experienced by you and your family (physical, mental, and emotional).

In cases involving the loss of life, a wrongful death action accounts for the loss of both financial support as well as the unique companionship and guidance your loved one provided.

Other awards that result from a lawsuit can go above and beyond the repayment for damages done, wages lost, or costs endured. Punitive damages are another source of compensation issued by a judge. Other remedies may involve payments in the form of vouchers, apologies ordered, safety reforms implemented, or the delicensing/removal of wrongdoers from positions of responsibility.

Your Questions, Answered

Falcon Law Firm is a team of trial lawyers devoted to the representation of plaintiffs in significant accident injuries and other civil litigation. The clients we represent include individuals harmed by negligent medical care, auto accidents, defective products, and unsafe workplaces. We are fully prepared to help you and your family seek the best possible outcome after a serious injury, accident, or injustice.

Contact us right away. One phone call could be the first step toward a better future — let our attorneys help you reach a satisfactory resolution to your current situation, and move forward to a brighter tomorrow.