If you or a member of your family has suffered a personal injury or wrongful death through someone else's negligence, the worst thing you could do is choose a personal injury trial lawyer blindly. 

Your case, your settlement, and possibly your entire future may rest on your selection of the best attorney. There are differences among trial lawyers and differences among law firms. Ask the right questions. And make an informed decision.

Here are some helpful questions and what to watch for in the answers.

• Do you specialize in personal injury cases?

If the answer to this question is "no," you may be better served by continuing your selection process. Attorneys that are Board Certified have met specific requirements, passed a rigorous examination, and obtained recommendations from their peers. At Branton & Hall, Jim Branton & Jim Hall are both Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law.  So you know your case will receive the full attention it is due.

• Are you Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization?

Saying one specializes in personal injury trial law is one thing. Being "Board Certified" is entirely different. Achieving Board Certification means an attorney has achieved special recognition by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for substantial experience and specialized training in his chosen field—just as Jim Branton, Jim Hall and others in our San Antonio firm have done. To you, it means your case will receive expert attention. If your attorney isn't certified, ask him why. And keep in mind one important thing. It doesn't cost you any more to have a board certified trial attorney working on your case.

• What staff support is available?

Pursuing a complicated personal injury case to a successful conclusion often takes the team effort of many individuals with various specialties. Your case might require a workers' compensation paralegal, a trained investigator or even a video technician. We're not saying these skills can't be obtained by a smaller firm. But if they're not already in place, your case might take a longer period of time to process. And if a working relationship hasn't already been established, there's always room for miscommunication and error. Which could turn out to be very costly in the long run. At Branton & Hall, our firm is fully staffed with capable and aggressive support staff. To others, such a staff may be a burden. To us, it means the difference between winning your case, or settling for something less.

• Is your firm financially capable of developing my claim?

• Is your firm covered by professional liability insurance?

• Is your firm equipped with the most modern technology to assure efficient and competent handling of my case?

• What is the reputation of your firm in the legal community?

This is a hard question to ask directly. Everyone, in every occupation likes to believe they are well-respected. And most everyone is blessed with a degree of modesty. This is a question that is best answered by others in the legal community that work with or have been served by them. A trial lawyer quickly establishes a reputation which usually can be verified with a few discreet inquiries. And we invite you to do the same concerning ours.

• Will my case be taken to trial?

It's a simple question and obvious question, but difficult to answer early in the case. What is more important is whether the law firm is willing and able to take your case to trial if it is necessary. Many lawyers and law firms lack the necessary experience, expertise or confidence to try a case and will settle your case for less than it is worth just to avoid having to try it. The insurance attorneys on the other side of your case know who the lawyers are that will be reluctant to try your case. Ask the trial lawyer about his experience. Branton & Hall invites such questions.