Obviously, you need to talk to the lawyer at the very beginning of the case to discuss what happened and what needs to be done. It is important to see your attorney face to face once a month while you are actively treating (PT, chiropractor, etc.), to make sure that both you and the attorney are on track. As treatment slows down (e.g. PT is over but the neurologist wants to see you in six weeks), it is good to stop by the attorney’s office and update them after each visit. If the doctor visit was anything other than routine (e.g. the doctor changed the diagnosis, changed the treatment or discharged you), you should speak to the attorney directly. When the attorney receives a first offer of settlement, that too should result in a face to face meeting. It is not essential that you take every one of these meetings, but you should take most of them. More importantly, the attorney should want to have these meetings. I am amazed by how many times cases have transferred into my office where the client has never met the lawyer, and has no idea what is going on with the case. There is no reason to put up with that. I think that the reason lawyers like to be downtown (no parking) or in Boston, is to avoid having to see their clients. This is wrong. Cases turn out much better where the lawyer and the client are communicating along the way. It makes extra work for both sides (Believe me I know, I had well over a dozen “update status” meetings last week), but it is worth it.
