1. How will the Bayda Ludwar Law Firm handle my case?

After initial meetings with you, the Bayda Ludwar Law Firm will investigate your claim. This usually requires a review of some or all of the following:

1. Witness statements;
2. Police reports
3. A possible visit to the scene of the incident;
4. A review of the appropriate statutory law (laws enacted by your legislature);
5. A review of appropriate case law (laws made by judges who interpret statutory law);
6. A review of all medical reports;
7. A review of all medical bills;
8. The possible hiring of an investigator to investigate details of the incident.

Bayda Ludwar Law Firm will also contact the insurance company for the person, persons, or company who caused your injuries. After the initial investigation and contact with the insurance company, Bayda Ludwar Law Firm will maintain contact with you to make sure of the following:

1. That you are following the advice of your physicians and other medical practitioners;
2. That you are doing your best to improve from your injury.
3. That you are providing your lawyer with copies of all medical bills and other expenses related to the incident.
4. That you are providing records of loss of income from your job;
5. That you are keeping track of potential witnesses in your case.

Medical records will be obtained through the use of authorization forms as discussed below. Your lawyer will review those medical reports as they come in from you doctor and will keep abreast of the applicable law relating to your case.

2. How can I help the Bayda Ludwar Law Firm with my case?

The most important thing for you to do is to provide documentation of your medical bills, expenses and loss of income from your employment. The following is a list of things that will also help Bayda Ludwar Law Firm with your claim:

1. Return all phone calls promptly to your lawyer;
2. Read all correspondence from your lawyer;
3. Keep all appointments with medical facilities;
4. Maintain a file and record of medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses associated with the injury;
5. Keep a list of witnesses who may testify about your injuries or about the incident;
6. Take photographs as instructed by your lawyer and maintain copies and negatives of such pictures;
7. Notify your lawyer immediately of any change of address, telephone numbers, marital status, change of employment or drastic change in your physical condition;
8. Answer all questions posed by your lawyer truthfully and candidly;
9. Sign all forms requested by your lawyer.

3. Why do I have to sign so many forms?

Doctors, hospitals, employers, and other establishments will not release personal information about you without signed written authorization. It is against the law, in most instances, to release information about a person, to anyone, including your lawyer, without formal documentation. Therefore, your lawyer will ask you to sign such authorization forms which will allow him or her to retrieve important information about you.

4. How will the Bayda Ludwar Law Firm be paid and what is a contingency fee agreement?

The Bayda Ludwar Law Firm represents most clients on a percentage fee basis. This type of arrangement is commonly known a contingency fee. They are one of the few firms that will deal with disability insurance and compensation issues on a percentage basis. Disbursements are covered in advance and no money is required up front. The lawyers are paid based on a percentage of the recovery. If there is no recovery there is no charge for legal fees and only out of pocket expenses will be charged to the client. The actual percentage charged depends on the type of accident, the seriousness of the injuries and whether or not there are any liability issue. With respect to disability cases the percentage fee is charged only on the arrears recovered; any future monthly benefits usually belong to the client with no fee being charged on future disability benefits. To discuss your case or if you have any specific questions on fees please call the Bayda Ludwar Law Firm at 403-670-0055 for a free initial consultation.

5. What other costs will there be in addition to lawyer's fees?

The fee for your lawyer is compensation for his or her work, time, effort, and expertise. The lawyer's fee also encompasses certain office overhead such as secretarial time, rent, files, and other built-in costs. However, there are also additional out-of-pocket expenses which are incurred specifically as a result of your case. Some of these expenses include the following:

1. Fees that doctors and hospitals charge for medical reports. Such reports may cost anywhere from a few dollars for simple copies to $100.00 or more for reports that have to be written or prepared specifically by your doctor.
2. Photocopy charges. Insurance companies require significant numbers of copies of medical bills, medical reports, police reports, witness statements, and lost income information. Your law firm has to pay for these photocopies and you will usually be charged a certain amount for each page of copy.
3. Long distance telephone calls. If long distance telephone calls are required, you will probably have to reimburse your lawyer for the actual cost of each call.
4. Costs of photographs. Photographs are extremely important in personal injury cases and if your lawyer incurs expense in having photos obtained or enlarged, you will be responsible for such costs.
5. Reports of experts. Reports from experts other than physicians may be required in your case and, if so, you will have to pay the costs that such experts charge for their reports.
6. Litigation costs. If your case has to proceed to suit or litigation, there will be costs incurred as a result of the filing of such a lawsuit.