What to discuss at the first meeting
Describe the event, resulting difficulties and whether an insurer or other body is already involved. Ask which compensation pathway the firm is proposing to assess, rather than treating all injuries as one kind of claim.
Ask about both the legal fee arrangement and the cost of obtaining independent evidence.
Working with a firm in South Coast
The South Coast directory area stretches across several separate towns, from Nowra and Ulladulla to Bega and Eden. An office somewhere in the region may still be a substantial journey from home.
For personal injury, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant NSW experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside South Coast. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
How the engagement may progress
- 01
Provide a chronology, relevant locations and employer or insurer details, together with forms and decisions already received.
- 02
Discuss medical, employment, incident and expense records. Ask who will obtain reports and how access, privacy and expert costs will be managed.
- 03
Have any offer, assessment or release explained before agreeing. Clarify what a resolution would cover and whether related claims need separate advice.
Fees and the scope of work
Ask for the written meaning of no win, no fee, including expenses, any uplift and possible other costs. The phrase alone is not enough to compare arrangements.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Ask early about notice, claim and review limits in the relevant scheme. Keep the incident date and every insurer decision available for assessment.
Questions to ask a personal injury adviser
- Which scheme or claim is relevant?
- What evidence would you need before advising on prospects?
