Top Questions Spanish-Speaking Clients In Monterey County Have For Their Personal Injury Attorney

In this article, you can discover…

• The benefits of partnering with a law firm proficient in Spanish as well as English. 
• Understanding the timeline for your personal injury claim.
• How to navigate paying for medical treatment during your personal injury case.

What Experience Do You Have Dealing With Clients Who Speak English As A Second Language Or Have Limited Proficiency?

At Lamb and Frischer Law Firm LLP, we’re proud to have a team fully fluent in Spanish, ensuring that we’re well-equipped to assist Spanish-speaking clients. While we currently don’t have bilingual capabilities beyond Spanish, we’re more than prepared to work with clients who primarily speak Spanish or have limited English proficiency. Whether through direct communication in Spanish or finding ways to accommodate your language needs, we are committed to ensuring you feel supported and understood throughout the process.

What Is The Process And Timeline For Filing A Personal Injury Claim In Monterey County, California?

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in California is generally two years. However, certain claims, such as those against government entities or involving medical malpractice, may have shorter deadlines. While you technically have two years, waiting can seriously jeopardize your case. Evidence, such as witness testimony or video footage from nearby security cameras, may no longer be available if not gathered promptly. Memories fade, and key evidence can be lost if not preserved early.

It’s vital to consult an attorney as soon as possible. Early legal guidance can ensure you’re taking the right steps, like seeking timely medical treatment and preserving evidence. If you delay too long say, approaching an attorney just before the statute of limitations expires it will be challenging, if not impossible, for your attorney to take on the case effectively.

Typically, the process begins with filing an insurance claim to attempt resolution without litigation. If the insurance company is unreasonable or the injuries are severe, a lawsuit may be filed. Due to backlogs in the court system, lawsuits can take three to five years to resolve. Early action not only strengthens your case but also provides you with valuable legal advice to navigate the process effectively.

What Should I Do If I Cannot Afford Medical Treatment After An Injury Or Do Not Have Insurance?

If you cannot afford medical treatment after an injury or do not have insurance, there are some things you can do to try to alleviate this burden.

Work With Your Doctor

Many doctors may agree to provide treatment on a lien basis. This means they will wait to be paid until your case is resolved and will take payment from the recovery amount you win. Keep in mind that you will still owe the medical bills even if you don’t win your case.

Government Assistance

If you’re eligible, consider applying for programs like Medicare or Medi-Cal, which can help cover your medical expenses.

Regardless, even if finances are tight, it’s crucial you seek medical attention as soon as you can. Failing to get treatment not only risks your health but also weakens your claim, as it may appear you weren’t injured. If you’re unsure about your specific options, an attorney can guide you through available resources and strategies to ensure you get the treatment you need.

How Do You Ensure That I Understand My Case Proceedings If My Case Goes To Court?

We ensure that you understand every step of the proceedings, and we’ll handle all the legal aspects of your case. The only time you’ll need to speak directly is when testifying at a deposition or in court. During testimony, you’ll be asked questions about things you know personally, such as the nature of your injuries, how the incident occurred, and how it has impacted your life. Everything else, including making legal arguments, will be handled by your attorney.

Our approach is to tailor the level of explanation to your preferences. Some clients want detailed updates and explanations, while others prefer to leave the details to us. Either way, we make sure you’re comfortable and informed about what’s happening in your case.

For clients who don’t speak English fluently, court-certified translators are available to ensure accurate communication during testimony or depositions. These translators enable you to share your story in your native language, ensuring that it is communicated clearly and accurately. While we don’t «speak for you,» we ensure you have the tools and support to express yourself fully when needed.

Will I Owe Legal Fees If We Don’t Win My Case?

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee is a percentage of any recovery we obtain for you. If there’s no recovery, you won’t owe us any legal fees.

In rare circumstances, there might be some outstanding costs such as expenses related to the case but this is very uncommon. Additionally, if you don’t win your case, there is a possibility under the law that you may owe some of the defense’s costs, though not their attorney’s fees. However, in our experience, this is extremely rare. Defendants will often waive these costs to avoid the risk of an appeal.

Ultimately, while the law provides for the possibility of owing some defense costs, we typically find a way to ensure that our clients don’t end up paying them. You can trust us to handle these concerns effectively and prioritize your best interests.

What Special Accommodations Do You Offer To Spanish-Speaking Clients To Ensure They Feel Comfortable And Informed During The Legal Process?

We provide several accommodations to ensure our Spanish-speaking clients feel comfortable and fully informed throughout the legal process. Our staff includes fluent Spanish speakers many of whom have Spanish as their first language who are always available to communicate directly with clients and assist in interpreting calls with our attorneys.

Additionally, we provide key materials, such as case updates, explanations, and forms, in Spanish. This ensures that our Spanish-speaking clients have access to the same information and resources as our English-speaking clients so they never feel left out or uninformed. We are committed to making the legal process as smooth and accessible as possible for everyone we serve.

Can You Share A Case Where You Helped A Spanish-Speaking Client Navigate A Complex Legal Process? What Impact Did It Have On Them?

We’ve had many cases where we’ve successfully helped Spanish-speaking clients navigate their complex legal issues. One that stands out involved an employment case concerning sexual harassment and retaliation. Employment law can be quite complex. Despite this, our client was deeply involved and eager to understand every aspect of her case.

Through our Spanish-speaking staff, we ensured she was informed and comfortable throughout the entire process. When it came time to resolve the case, she felt confident in her decisions because she fully understood the proceedings and was able to participate fully in the mediation that resolved her case. This experience reinforced the importance of clear communication and accessibility in achieving a positive outcome for our clients.

Why Does Providing Legal Support To Spanish-Speaking Clients Matter To You On A Personal Level? 

Providing legal support to Spanish-speaking clients is deeply meaningful to us because we recognize the challenges and injustices the Latino community often faces. Whether documented or undocumented, many in this community are underrepresented and vulnerable to exploitation, particularly by insurance companies. These companies often try to settle claims quickly and for less than they are worth, taking advantage of language barriers and the lack of legal representation. This is not only unjust but morally offensive to us, which is why we’re committed to stepping in and ensuring fair representation for Spanish-speaking clients.

What sets our firm apart is our dedicated team of native Spanish-speaking staff who can clearly explain complex legal matters and provide a level of comfort and understanding that many other firms in the area simply cannot. We also take pride in accepting cases that other firms might overlook, such as smaller claims, because we understand the unique difficulties faced by non-English speakers in navigating the legal process.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on Top Questions Spanish-Speaking Clients In Monterey County Have For Their Personal Injury Attorney, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (415) 966-4471 today.