Why Refer Personal Injury Cases to Rocky McElhaney Law Firm
Network with our respected Nashville personal injury lawyers today
Attorneys refer cases for many reasons. The referring attorney may not handle the type of case the client has. For example, family lawyers or business lawyers often refer accident cases to experienced personal injury attorneys. Some attorneys don’t have the skills, experience, or network to handle complex personal injury cases. Many cases require hiring experts who can help to show a product was defective, a property failed to comply with local building codes, or a doctor was incompetent. Sometimes, a lawyer has a conflict of interest that requires the client obtain separate legal counsel.
At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we treat everyone involved in a personal injury case with the respect and decency they deserve. This begins with answering phone calls, emails, and other communications in a timely manner. We keep everyone informed.
Our attorneys understand that our representation is a reflection of you and your law firm. Our goals are to present the strongest case possible, to protect the client’s interests, and obtain the maximum result obtainable. We understand the many different legal and practical issues in every type of personal injury case we handle.
What types of cases do we handle?
At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we have been strong advocates for personal injury victims for 20 years. We represent accident victims in the following types of accident cases:
How does the referral process work?
We prepare two written agreements:
- The first agreement is a written referral agreement with you/your firm, us, and the client. The written agreement explains our obligations and your duties once the referral is made. Our referral agreements comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Tennessee Courts. The main referral law is Tenn. R. Sup. Ct. 1.5. Section (e) provides:
- A division of a fee between lawyers who are not in the same firm may be made only if:
- (1) the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation;
- (2) the client agrees to the arrangement, and the agreement is confirmed in writing; and (3) the total fee is reasonable.
- A division of a fee between lawyers who are not in the same firm may be made only if:
- The second agreement is the contingent fee agreement that sets forth the terms of our representation with the client according to the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Tennessee. This agreement is signed by our firm and the client. The agreement explains that our law firm is paid only if the client approves of a negotiated settlement or there is a jury verdict in his or her favor.
We review the work you have already done on behalf of the client, if any. The referral fee arrangement may be adjusted depending on how much work you have performed. The amount of the referral agreement may vary depending on the complexities of the case and whether the case settles or goes to trial.
What is your obligation once the referral is made?
Many attorneys trust us to represent the client’s interests and the referring lawyer’s interests. Often, lawyers refer the client to us with the understanding that we will handle every phase of the litigation. We pledge to answer your questions about the status of the case whenever you inquire.
Some attorneys prefer to take more of a hands-on role. Other lawyers refer the case and wait for us to inform them when there is a settlement or a verdict.
We work with the referring lawyers to help maximize the client’s recovery. This work may include:
- Discussing with your firm the local court procedures and any information we should know about the judges and defense lawyers.
- Discussing with you how to contact your client.
- Discussing with you any contingencies that may arise during our representation where we might need your assistance. In most cases, we are able to handle the client’s case on our own.
What is our obligation once the referral is made?
We comply with any state, county, and bar association rules regarding the ethics of the referral and the requirements of the referring lawyer and our firm.
Our lawyers are experienced trial lawyers. We investigate how the accident occurred and who is responsible. We work with investigators, police officers, witnesses, and anyone who may have information about the case. When necessary, we work with our network of traffic reconstruction professionals, engineers, product safety experts, financial professionals, medical professionals, and other professionals.
Our lawyers are skilled at all phases of the litigation process including the discovery process; trial motions; the preparation of demand letters; negotiation with insurance companies and defense lawyers; trial preparation; trial argument; and appeals. We work with focus groups and jury selection professionals when necessary.
Discuss our referral arrangements today
Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is respected across Tennessee for our dedication to our clients and our ability to work with our colleagues for the joint benefit of the client. To discuss your client’s case and how our referral process works, please call us today to see if we are a good fit for your needs and the needs of your client.
You can call us at 615-425-2500 or fill out our contact form. We are proud to help clients from all over Tennessee, including Nashville, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, and Clarksville.