Interviewing the Client and Filing the Case

• Author: Michael J. Morse
• Pages: 41-102

CHAPTER 1

Interviewing the Client and

Filing the Case

I. Initial Interview

A. Preparation

§ 1:10 Introduction

§ 1:11 The Role of Paralegals

§ 1:20 Surveillance

§ 1:30 Connective Tissue Injuries

§ 1:40 Client Morale

§ 1:50 Client Confidence

§ 1:60 Using Knowledge of Anatomy

§ 1:70 Fee Arrangements and Agreements

§ 1:80 Sample Client Letter

B. Obtaining Information

§ 1:90 Introduction

§ 1:100 Sample Client Interview Form

§ 1:110 Authorizations

§ 1:110.10 [Reserved]

§ 1:110.20 Federal Tax Records

§ 1:110.30 State Tax Records

§ 1:110.40 Driving Record

§ 1:110.50 Social Security Records

§ 1:110.60 Veterans Administration Records

§ 1:110.70 Workers’ Compensation Records

§ 1:110.80 Criminal/Arrest

§ 1:110.90 Employment Records

§ 1:110.100 Education Records

§ 1:110.110 Insurance Records

§ 1:110.120 Social Networking and Internet

§ 1:120 Sample Change of Circumstances Form

§ 1:130 Checklist: File Organization

II. Special Problems

§ 1:140 Counterclaims

§ 1:141 Notice of Non-Party Fault

§ 1:141.1 Introduction

§ 1:141.2 Procedural Considerations

LITIGATING NECK AND BACK INJURIES

n

1-2

§ 1:141.3 Notice of Nonparty Fault in Practice

§ 1:141.4 Federal Notice of Non-Party Fault

§ 1:141.5 Conclusion

§ 1:150 Problem Client

§ 1:150.10 Criminal Record

§ 1:150.20 Factitious Complaints

§ 1:150.30 Malingering

§ 1:150.31 Neuropsychological Perspectives on Malingering

§ 1:150.40 Refuting Claims of Malingering

§ 1:160 Weak Liability

§ 1:170 Problems of Proof

§ 1:180 Problems in Recovery

§ 1:190 Prior Injuries and Pre-Existing Illnesses

§ 1:190.10 Trying the Case as a New Injury

§ 1:190.20 Susceptibility to New Injury

§ 1:190.30 Aggravation of Pre-Existing Injury

§ 1:190.40 Use During Opening Statement

§ 1:190.50 Dealing with the Psychology of Injury

§ 1:200 Unsympathetic Treating Physician

§ 1:210 Referring Client to Specialist

§ 1:211 [Reserved]

§ 1:212 No-Fault Auto Insurance Limits Non-Economic Damages

§ 1:212.1 Traditional Tort System Compared

§ 1:212.2 No-Fault “Threshold”

§ 1:212.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of No-Fault System

§ 1:213 Liens

§ 1:213.1 Governing Principles

§ 1:213.2 Step #1: Identify Potential Lienholders

§ 1:213.3 Step #2: Notify Potential Lienholders and Stay

Informed

§ 1:213.4 Step #3: Negotiate the Lien Amount

§ 1:213.5 No-Fault Auto Insurance and ERISA Plan Health

Insurance Coverage Letter

§ 1:213.6 Set-Aside Form

§ 1:213.7 Consent to Release Form

§ 1:213.8 Coordination of Benefits Cover Letter

§ 1:213.9 Request for Conditional Payment Letter

§ 1:213.10 ERISA Document Request Letter

§ 1:213.11 Complaint for Declaration of Rights &

Responsibilities

III. Establishing Damages

A. Types of Damages

§ 1:220 Introduction

§ 1:230 General and Special Damages

§ 1:231 Punitive Damages

n INTERVIEWING CLIENT AND FILING CASE

1-3

§ 1:240 Consortium Claims

§ 1:250 Out-of-Pocket Damages

B. Documenting Damages

1. Client Diary

§ 1:260 Introduction

§ 1:270 Documenting Pain and Suffering

§ 1:280 Method of Presentation

§ 1:290 Special Instructions

§ 1:291 The AMA GUIDES TO THE EVALUATION OF PERMANENT IMPAIRMENT

and the Personal Injury Diary

§1:291.1 Philosophy of New Guides: AMA GUIDES TO THE

EVALUATION OF PERMANENT IMPAIRMENT Fifth Edition

§ 1:292 The Electronic Diary

§ 1:293 Functional Status Tests

2. Checklist and Forms

§ 1:300 Checklist: Damage Evaluation

§ 1:310 Form: Tracking Health Care Costs

§ 1:320 Form: Medical, Psychological and Psychiatric Expense List

§ 1:321 Form: Home Health Care Expense List

IV. Drafting Complaints

§ 1:330 Selecting Defendants

§ 1:340 Selecting Causes of Action

§ 1:341 Statutes of Limitations and Borrowing Statutes

§ 1:342 List of State Borrowing Statutes

§ 1:350 Checklist

§ 1:360 Sample Complaints

§ 1:360.10 Automobile Accident Case

§ 1:360.20 Automobile Accident Resulting in Closed Head

Injury

§ 1:360.21 Automobile Accident Resulting in Whiplash Injury

§ 1:360.22 Automobile Accident – Federal Court – Driver Not

Wearing Glasses

§ 1:360.23 Complaint: Automobile Accident – Uninsured

Motorist

§ 1:360.30 Product Liability Case

§ 1:360.40 Slip and Fall Case

§ 1:360.41 Slip and Fall Case – Slip on Debris in Clothing

Store

§ 1:360.42 Slip and Fall Case – Defective Stairs

§ 1:360.50 Assault Case Resulting in Soft Tissue and

Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

§ 1:360.60 Soft Tissue Injury and Loss of Consortium Claim

§ 1:360.70 Assistance of Other Experts in Proving Mild

Traumatic Brain Injury

V. Checklist

§ 1:370 Chapter Checklist