If you never had the need to look for an eminent domain law firm before, finding one can seem like a daunting task. There are several key attributes that capable eminent domain law firms in California should possess. Knowing these can help you narrow down the list of firms that may come up during your search. Consider these top 3 criteria when determining which eminent domain attorney to hire:

1. Experience

Consider the following questions when calculating the level of experience an attorney has:

1. How many eminent domain cases have they handled?
2. How many eminent domain cases have they taken to trial?
3. How many eminent domain cases have they handled on the appellate and State Supreme Court level?
4. What types of properties have they handled?
5. What types of issues have they dealt with?
6. Which states have they taken cases?

Question your potential attorney, and have them review your appraisal and conduct a case evaluation. An experienced eminent domain attorney will accurately assess and explain your damages and, in most cases, estimate the amount owed to you.

You should know that only a small percentage of eminent domain cases go to trial, and when an attorney takes your case, they won’t know whether or not it will proceed to trial. However, a good eminent domain attorney will plan their strategy around going to trial and will therefore be prepared in the event that this occurs. If your case goes to trial, does your attorney have the experience necessary to persuade a judge and jury? Are they planning appropriately and are they willing to go to trial?

2. Are They Looking Out for my Best Interest?

Hiring an attorney who works both sides can result in a conflict of interest scenario; the attorney has worked for the government in the past and/or is friendly with the condemning authority’s attorney. There are many good attorneys who represent both the condemning authority and the property owner, so be aware of this situation and decide whether or not you are comfortable with it before hiring an attorney.

Keep in mind that hiring a local attorney who has only handled a few eminent domain cases can result in a similar situation. This attorney might have ties to the local government, which could put undue pressure on this attorney to settle the case.

3 – Set Expectations

In addition to understanding the issues surrounding your case, you should know how much money you are entitled to receive. A knowledgeable eminent domain attorney will discuss their strategy with you; tell you how much money they are pursuing and what the estimated final award of damages will be. If you expect your attorney to take your case to trial, then make sure you hire a trial lawyer.

Lastly, whether or not you hire an attorney to challenge the government’s right to take, to pursue an inverse condemnation claim, or to pursue additional damages, you should know that in some states, attorneys fees and costs could be paid for by the government. Read more about eminent domain and the eminent domain laws in your state.

The attorneys at Oliver, Sandifer, & Murphy are highly accomplished trial lawyers and determined negotiators whose practice is exclusively focused on all aspects of eminent domain, California easement, and condemnation proceedings. They are recognized as the premier California eminent domain firm, and are credited with having the knowledge, experience, resources, and determination to vigorously represent our clients in all eminent domain and condemnation matters. Their single goal is to achieve the greatest results and success for clients, and to do so efficiently and effectively. Oliver, Sandifer, & Murphy are California eminent domain lawyers and condemnation attorneys serving clients statewide from offices in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area. You may contact them by calling.

If you have been involved in an accident that was occurred due to the negligence or recklessness of other person, you may be eligible to recover compensation. For car accident cases you will usually be better off with a California car accident attorney. There are various points you should consider while hiring a personal injury attorney. The most essential points are the skill, quality and reputation of the California accident attorney you hire to handle your case.

The foremost thing you should do before choosing a California personal injury lawyer is to ensure that the attorney’s expertise and knowledge are satisfactory to effectively protect your rights. You can also ask about his success rate and make inquiries from the State Bar of California about any past disciplinary actions against him. Next, you must personally fix an appointment with the attorney so that you can know more about his background and experience. By doing this, you can make sure whether he is able to understand your case or not.

After knowing the experience and area of expertise of California accident lawyer, you must then make an inquiry about the consultation fees. There are many personal injury attorneys that offer a free consultation but there are some who do not. It is better to confirm the cost of services. Generally, lawyers are paid at the end of the case by receiving a certain percentage of the winnings. Make sure that this percentage or other amount they will charge is discussed and completely spelled out in any agreement you sign with the personal injury attorney.

Based on pertinent documents and other evidence at your disposal, your personal injury will attempt to prove your case. The grounds for a personal injury lawsuit will vary from case to case, but generally most personal injury lawyers try to prove that the defendant was negligent in such a way that harmed the plaintiff. Depending on a plaintiff’s injuries, a plaintiff may recover general damages and special damages. General damages will include an award for pain and suffering, while special damages compensate the plaintiff for medical expenses and lost earnings.

But remember, every type of claim has a deadline for filing the claim in court and this differ from state to state. After the expiration of this time period, the claim usually will be vanished—despite of its merits. There are different exceptions to the deadlines like minority, incompetency, etc., thus it may still be worth evaluating a claim even after the deadline has expired. Thus, after your unfortunate accident, you must act promptly on any claims which you believe you may desire to pursue.

Pasadena lawyers of The Law Office of Mauro Fiore, Jr. has many years of experience in representing personal injury cases. They focus their practice on personal injury matters and offer legal assistance in: personal injury, wrongful death, workers compensation. After years of helping clients injured through another’s negligence, they understand how life changing and shattering such injuries are. The Law Office of Mauro Fiore, Jr. is confident they can help you successfully resolve your case. In fact, they do not charge you any fees or costs unless they prevail in settlement or at trial. Simply stated, you pay nothing unless they recover damages for you.

Mauro Fiore Jr. focuses on representing victims filing litigation throughout Pasadena and Riverside, CA. If you or your loved one has been injured through another’s negligence or carelessness, you owe it to yourself to get legal help. Contact the Law Office of Mauro Fiore, Jr. online today to schedule a free consultation.