I was always of the opinion, perhaps like many other people, that lawyers always ripped off their clients by their exorbitant percentages from awards obtained (typically 40%). Then a year and a half ago I became involved in the inner workings of a lawsuit in favor of a woman I was obliged to help.
My perspective regarding lawyers began to change at that point as I became privy to all the legal documentation, depositions, interviews, expert witnesses, negotiations, to name a few, that are required in a complex case.
The law office of Michael Pines handled the case superbly and were able to obtain an unbelievable award for their client, my ward.
The case was so complex that certain motions within it were heard all the way to the California Supreme Court.
What started as a normal personal injury case became extremely complex as there were eleven (11) plaintiffs, two defendants (6 defendants at times during the case), several insurance companies and all their respective lawyers.
The arbitration hearing was held in the meeting room of a well known high-rise building in town.
Towards the end of the case there were expert witness ready to testify on a myriad of subjects such as loss of earnings, quality of life, pain and suffering, future medical costs, cost of living increases, orthopedic bio-mechanics, extent of injuries, prognosis for improvement.
All this work and preparation raised the cost well over the hundred thousand dollar mark, all covered by the attorney.
At first, when Mr. Pines told us that the welfare of his client was foremost in his mind I kind of took it with a grain of salt. As the months came and went I started to believe him and now that I have seen the results of his efforts, his excellence in the "pit" I believe him wholeheartedly.
To see the change in the quality of life for his client has been truly rewarding.
I could go on but I'll not. God's truth, so help me.
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