What should I look for in an attorney client relationship? Best attorney practice

In this video, I walk you through an ideal attorney client relationship conveying a story from when I was an intern. I explain in detail the feelings of a potential client, how an attorney can start their relationship off right, and give you important elements to look for and how to recognize them.
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Links
The Pacific Justice Institute
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Video Chapters
0:25 What should I look for in an attorney
0:41 Pacific Justice Institute
0:53 Example of the best attorney client relationship
1:20 Attorney Best Practices for intake of client
2:23 Qualities to look for in your attorney
3:13 Special offer of extra support
3:28 Faith put into practice
4:20 Offer of help
4:35 Warning about changing attorneys
4:45 Bloopers and Disclaimer
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Great News! We are starting a list for an upcoming newsletter :-) We anticipate issuing once a quarter, so not overwhelming :-) Please click the link below to sign up for that if you are interested. Thank you!
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This channel is not set up for donations (Donations are solely to show your appreciation and do NOT set up an attorney-client relationship). However, we support these two churches - Launchpoint and Remnant. You are welcome to donate to them if you feel so inclined to do so. All donations are appreciated.
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TEXT "CONSULT" to [phone] or Call us to get answers from an attorney.
We serve injured workers and fight for them to receive all their benefits especially medical treatment and compensation.
Hello, my name is Naomi. I have been practicing in Southern California since 2012. I opened my own firm because after seeing how the work comp "mills" functioned, I knew there was a better way. My firm is different because our clients are able to access their attorney and we focus on client education, so they are informed and feel comfortable throughout the entire work comp process.
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Gonzalez Law Firm, APC.
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© 2022 Gonzalez Law Firm, APC. All Rights Reserved. This video is not intended as legal advice, nor does it establish an attorney client relationship. Information provided is applicable in California Only. This video is intended for Gonzalez Law Firm clients only. Every case is different and certain statements may be not applicable to your case. This video is only applicable for Workers’ Compensation cases not other types of law. If you want information specific to your case contact Gonzalez Law Firm, APC.

[@GonzalezLawEmpower]

Helpful info from a recent comment. Issue, not getting what you need from your attorney / unresponsiveness from the attorney. General principles, the larger the law firm, the less personal attention you usually get unless you are an extremely high value case. Be sure the person you believe is your attorney actually is. The tendency in work comp is for injured workers to be dealing with caseworkers primarily. Sometimes people confuse a caseworker with their attorney. I have even heard people say the first time they saw an attorney was at their depo. Others saying they NEVER spoke with an attorney throughout their whole case. You can check with this video: How to look up your attorney kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2Gmi5qfoc9kfJI If you are with a larger firm, you might need to be a squeaky wheel. You want to ask for a meeting with your "handling attorney" a face to face or at least zoom if they are not face to face yet. Be organized and list what your concerns are and what your expectations are. Do not use absolute generalities like, I never hear from you or you aren't doing anything on my case. You want to say more like, I sent this email on this date to this address, followed up on this date and that date and did not get a response. Or same with voicemails. You can also try cc their boss if the main contact is not responding. Maybe you are not a good fit for each other. You need to find out right away if this relationship will work because the longer you are with the current attorney, the harder it will be for your to change attorneys. For example, if you only hired your 3 months ago AND it is before your deposition. You are still in a good position to change attorneys if the issues cannot be corrected. After your depo and as more time passes, you will find it harder to get good attorneys to take your case. That is because those two factors change how much the new attorney will be paid, so the only way to balance that is if your case value is high. Wanted to give you a heads up. Maybe attorneys should be more altruistic but that is how the work comp world goes. If you find, you just can not fix your issues with your attorney, this video will show you your options to fire your attorney. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3TVqYudqqaNotk You can also contact another attorney for a consultation. If you want to talk to us, text "CONSULT" to 909-266-0003 Hope this helps, Naomi

[@cdmanor777]

I have been watching your videos for the past few weeks now and You are just adorable. I just knew you had to be a Christian, a real Christian, because of the love you exemplify through your demeaner and kind words. You can tell that you are truly living out your relationship that you have with Jesus (My Savior and Lord too :-) ). I can tell you are passionate about helping others. I feel that when we hire a lawyer, they should at least have a meeting to share what to expect during intervals of the process. I am currently going through a W/C situation, going into the 3rd year now and it doesn't look like I'll be going back to work soon because of all my ailments/injuries and now consequential injuries. I enjoy watching your videos because they help me understand where I am at with my situation or if I need to make some adjustments. I feel at peace if what you said is what I am currently experiencing and if it is either ok or I should do something about it. Your office is near me...I might just come by to meet you. It would be a pleasure to meet you. Do you have a donation link? I would like to bless you with a monetary gift if that is ok to do on KZbin.

[@GonzalezLawEmpower]

Thank you Carolynn, You are so sweet. I would love to meet you. You sound like a nice lady. We are not in the office regularly. We all mostly work from home and come to the office for meetings. There are paralegal office hours twice a week on Tuesday afternoon and Thursday mornings. I am there sometimes for those times if I do not have an appearance (hearing or deposition or trial). - Naomi

[@girrth_brooks]

It's always a good sign when your newly acquired Attorneys staff calls you Beautiful ,Gorgeous, Handsome, Babe ,Baby, Honey Sweetie, EVERYTHING But Your Name! Even though You give them your name and case number when you called. #custerlawyer

[@GonzalezLawEmpower]

Funny, I once had a client that called everyone in our office Beautiful, guys and girls. It was kind of nice. She was a nice lady. - Naomi

[@daddygreat1]

Thanks great video

[@GonzalezLawEmpower]

Thank you :-)

[@educationispower8774]

Hi Naomi After C and R , does medical or obamacare accept treating injuries that was sustained previously on the job ? or do they refuse treatment because you already got money from settling through C and R

[@GonzalezLawEmpower]

Thank you for your question. The Obamacare laws made refusing coverage for Preexisting condition against the rules unless a specific insurance co has a carve out grandfather exception. Most don't. But some insurance co do not cover work injuries during wc cases. It is something that should be discussed with your specific dr and insurance as to if they will cover you once your case has closed. Medicare is a different animal. You have to do a set aside if you qualify and they will not cover your parts until you exhausted your future medical money. Take care, Naomi

[@educationispower8774]

@@GonzalezLawEmpower Thank you Naomi, you are wonderful, I wish I knew about your company before . I will sure recommend your company from now on.

[@GonzalezLawEmpower]

@@educationispower8774 Appreciate it :-)

[@preciouspearl5225]

I have had to pray so much during this case. I injured myself the later part of January and my work manger has made it very difficult to adjust and trust this process. I've worked for this company for 16 years there is a new manager and she has been very defensive towards a process that should not be so difficult. I finally hired a lawyer in May'22 Because of Their Dr's not hearing/listening to my needs. Now here we are in Mid August with insurance about to approve this surgery. There's a Depo set for Oct and was sent paperwork yet the attorney is only thru email. I heard her voice once then after that only email. Things will be happening quick yet im unsure of her involvement with my case. Im aware she must have many other to busy her with, yet i feel unimportant and undervalued at this point. Help... Should i contact the firm she is with?

[@GonzalezLawEmpower]

Precious Pearl, Without more info, it is hard to give my thoughts. So general principles, the larger the law firm, the less personal attention you usually get unless you are an extremely high value case. Be sure the person you believe is your attorney actually is. The tendency in work comp is for injured workers to be dealing with caseworkers primarily. Sometimes people confuse a caseworker with their attorney. I have even heard people say the first time they saw an attorney was at their depo. Others saying they NEVER spoke with an attorney throughout their whole case. You can check with this video: How to look up your attorney kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2Gmi5qfoc9kfJI If you are with a larger firm, you might need to be a squeaky wheel. You want to ask for a meeting with your "handling attorney" a face to face or at least zoom if they are not face to face yet. Be organized and list what your concerns are and what your expectations are. Do not use absolute generalities like, I never hear from you or you aren't doing anything on my case. You want to say more like, I sent this email on this date to this address, followed up on this date and that date and did not get a response. Or same with voicemails. You can also try cc their boss if the main contact is not responding. Maybe you are not a good fit for each other. You need to find out right away if this relationship will work. As you only hired them 3 months ago AND it is before your deposition. You are still in a good position to change attorneys if the issues cannot be corrected. After your depo and as more time passes, you will find it harder to get good attorneys to take your case. That is because those two factors change how much the new attorney will be paid, so the only way to balance that is if your case value is high. Wanted to give you a heads up. Maybe attorneys should be more altruistic but that is how the work comp world goes. Good luck! Naomi

[@profitsale9006]

If I'm not happy with my attorney, can I replace current attorney with no penalties?

[@GonzalezLawEmpower]

Profit, Thank you for your question. Changing attorneys may be possible or not depending on how far along your case is. I am speaking only about California workers compensation. There will be no extra fee but it can cause delay. The 15% attorney fees will be split up between your attorney and prior attorneys. It's better to consult with an attorney to see if your case is a candidate for them to take. Every office has their own guidelines when it comes to sub in cases General info only. Not legal advice. We are not your attorney. Good luck Profit, Naomi

[@510PeaceMaker]

Can you do a video on if your job cannot accommodate permanent restrictions???

[@GonzalezLawEmpower]

Thank you for your question peacemaker. Yes, I have one on that subject :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKvYp6qjZr1nsM0 Hopefully it helps, - Naomi

[@bobbysupreme1]

Hey, can anyone help me figure a health benefit option when being on workers compensation?? I have been paying $330 a month out my own pocket every month for my health benefits and am struggling to pay them at this point. Does anyone know if I can qualify for medical or cobra while on workers compensation?? Then maybe when I return to work I can continue to pay my blue shield health insurance?? My injury is covered through workers compensation but my family benefits are not. Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.

[@GonzalezLawEmpower]

XNot, Thank you for your question. Yes, a lot of people don't know that it may be an option to pay for extra employer benefits to continue while you are off work. Like if they normal took out $50 a paycheck for health insurance or life insurance or LTD etc. People need to contact their HR to see about that. As for MediCal, yes I have many clients that are on MediCal. Some even go there for meds or Dx testing for their work comp. Though defense doesn't like it because Medi-cal wiil try and bill them. But especially for denied parts, sometimes that's the best way to get diagnostic tests done. Some people didn't use to qualify but now they earn less or no money and now qualify. You should apply to see if that's an option for you. Take care, Naomi

[@bobbysupreme1]

@@GonzalezLawEmpower what is extra employer benefits?? I essentially still have my benefits but I used to pay $80 a week. Got paid every 3 weeks so $160 every check. About $320 a month and being on workers comp my wages have dropped a bit and still paying the same amount. What would u do in my situation? Keep lying for benefits for go with something else? I make about $80k a year and currently on workers comp get paid $2188.66 every 2 weeks. So $4377.32 a month. Will I qualify for anything or am I stuck and just have to keep paying my benefits?????

[@GonzalezLawEmpower]

@@bobbysupreme1 What I mean but extra employer benefits is benefits the employer offers that they are not legally required to offer. Like, they must provide some sick time but not health insurance, life insurance, 401K etc. If you want those extra benefits to continue, people should check with HR to do what you have been doing. As for whether you should rest on TTD benefits or work elsewhere, you have to decide. If you have restrictions that a new job can accommodate, then apply. If you have a job offer, then you have more options. It will effect your TTD benefits and eligibility for the SJDB voucher. But sometimes it is still better to move on. Every situation is different. Good luck, Naomi

[@bobbysupreme1]

@@GonzalezLawEmpower Naomi I am still currently on workers comp, I currently have my benefits from when I was working. However I do not want to pay for them anymore because they are so expensive. Is there an alternative option for health care in the meantime that I can apply for until I go back to work?

[@GonzalezLawEmpower]

@@bobbysupreme1 Medi-Cal and Cobra are the only programs I can think of off hand.