CONSUMER S GUIDE FOR INJURED VICTIMS

Transcription

1 CONSUMER S GUIDE FOR INJURED VICTIMS Practical advice you can use right now to recover the money you deserve without problems, hassles or delays by JOHN D. HENSLEY, FOUNDER Hensley Legal Group, PC Attorneys at Law 17 Secrets of Getting a Fair Settlement for Your Injuries 2 7 Costly Misconceptions About Injury Cases 4 When You Need a Lawyer -- and When You Don t 6 8 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting a Personal Injury Trial Lawyer 7 Hensley Legal Group s 12-Part Client Services Guarantee 9 Hensley Legal Group s No-Risk Guarantees 10 Thanks For Asking Including Frequently Asked Questions 11 Meet John D. Hensley 15 Comments From Hensley Legal Group s Clients 16 You re Invited to Call or 20 Hensley Legal Group, PC We always give you CPR: Compassion -- Peace of mind -- and Respect. Guaranteed! Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 1 of 20

2 17 SECRETS OF GETTING A FAIR SETTLEMENT FOR YOUR INJURIES SECRET #1: Do not talk to anyone... except your doctor or attorney. Do not speak with the other insurance company and its adjusters or lawyers. They will often try to tape record you and misrepresent you. You should also be careful when speaking with even your own insurance company, or to any lawyers hired by your insurance company, without notifying your attorneys so they may be present if necessary. SECRET #2: Seek medical treatment promptly. Tell your doctors about all of your symptoms. You should try to keep all medical appointments, and you should always tell your doctors about all of your areas of pain. You should never exaggerate your symptoms, but you should also not minimize your ailments when talking with your doctors. This is important to your treatment. If you see any other doctors, make sure that you tell both your current doctors and your attorney immediately. SECRET #3: Conduct a complete investigation. It is extremely important that you or your attorney collect all witness statements, police reports, medical reports and anything else related to your accident. Your case may require hiring private investigators or accident reconstruction experts. The other party s insurance company will collect all sorts of information that may be used against you. You could be at a serious disadvantage if you do not conduct a thorough investigation soon after the accident. SECRET #4: Get photographs of all important elements in your case. For example, if you are in a car accident, you should obtain photographs of your car and the car that hit you, the accident scene, and your injuries. If you fall, you should take photographs of the defective condition that caused you to fall. Photos are vivid evidence of what you experienced. Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and juries find photos to be powerful proof of your injuries. If you have taken pictures, tell your attorney and provide him with the photographs or negatives. If an investigator is necessary, I have several who work with me to conduct all aspects of the investigation. SECRET #5: Don t have your car repaired until you have taken photos of your vehicle s damage. You don t want to rely on photographs taken by the other party s investigator. These people are trained to minimize the damage appearance in the photos. Take your own photos or tell me and I will obtain photos that properly show your damages. Also, if the other driver was clearly at fault and you have collision coverage on your own policy, you have two alternatives: Either your attorney may insist that the other driver s insurance company repairs the automobile -- or you may submit the claim to your insurance company and then your attorney can attempt to recover your deductible for you from the at-fault party s insurer. Always consult with your attorney to determine which choice he or she recommends. SECRET #6: Don t sign a release for your medical records to the other party s insurance company. Many accident victims make the mistake of signing a release for the other party s insurance company. This gives the other party s insurance company access to your medical records. The same is true for your own insurance company. However, in certain types of claims, your own insurance company may be entitled to your medical information. Don t release your medical records to any insurance company or sign an authorization allowing an insurance company to get the records directly until you speak with your attorney. Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 2 of 20

3 SECRET #7: Never plead guilty to any traffic offense before you consult with your attorney. Ask your lawyer to evaluate your ticket or citation before the time and date set for the hearing. Pleading guilty to a traffic offense can negatively affect your injury claim. SECRET #8: Keep the adjuster informed about the seriousness of your injuries. Now we get into an area where you must be very careful. You want to keep the adjuster informed. Yet, at the same time, you must be careful what you disclose to the adjuster. (See Secret #6.) There s a fine line between what you should and should not tell the adjuster. And, certainly, the circumstances of your injury will play a part in what you should reveal. It s not possible to address this subject in one or two paragraphs. When we meet, I ll be happy to discuss this with you and answer any questions. SECRET #9: Don t let the insurance adjuster pressure you into settling your case. Adjusters use many methods to get you to settle for a smaller amount than the fair value of your case. The insurance adjuster may try to get you to admit that the accident was your fault, or at least partly your fault. The adjuster may try to get you to give a recorded statement or sign a statement, either of which may be used against you later at trial. Adjusters are trained to gather information that may be damaging to your case, and to settle cases for the lowest amount possible. What s more, don t be surprised if the adjuster is polite. His or her kindness may be a tactic to get you to settle for less than your case is worth and to get you to settle before you hire an attorney. The longer your file remains open, the more the adjuster will pressure you to settle. Your lawyer can help you evaluate whether the insurance company s offers are reasonable or unreasonable. Also, your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer to settle. SECRET #10: Know all your damages. They include (1) the cost of medical treatment, (2) pain and suffering for your injuries, (3) loss of income for time off work, (4) loss of business, (5) cost of a rental car, (6) cost of fixing your car, (7) cost for psychological counseling caused by stress or some other aspect of the accident, (8) cost of transportation to and from your doctor s office, and possibly other money you paid out or lost as a result of your injury. Keep an accurate record of all expenses and hours or days lost from work due to your injuries. Your attorney will get written documentation from your employer to verify the lost earnings. SECRET #11: Keep all bills and receipts related to your accident. If you don t save your bills and receipts, you will not be able to prove the amount of your damages. Be sure to save everything: doctor bills, hospital bills, pharmacy bills, and all other bills you incurred because of your accident. Immediately give all bills to your lawyer so he may deal directly with the medical providers on your behalf. Make sure you get a receipt for every bill you pay. My office will be happy to help you process payments in car accident cases through the no-fault insurance of the car you were in and through your own health insurance or other available coverages. SECRET #12: Know all your injuries. Many victims think that if they don t hurt, they aren t injured. Yet injuries caused by accidents may not develop into symptoms for days or weeks. Don t be too quick to rule out injuries just because they haven t yet appeared. This is why, at least early in your claim, you should not discuss your injuries or possible lack of symptoms with insurance company adjusters. (See secrets #6 and #8.) SECRET #13: Know your sources for insurance coverage. In many cases an injured victim can legally collect from two or three different insurance policies at the same time, yet many accident victims don t know where to look for various insurance coverages. Your attorney will help you determine whether you can collect from more than one policy. Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 3 of 20

4 SECRET #14: Continue under your doctor s care until your doctor releases you. Many people stop going to their doctor when they feel better, but before the doctor releases them from treatment. Make sure you continue going to the doctor until your doctor releases you! Your doctor knows the complications that could result from your injury. The type of injury may be complex, and the mere fact that you are no longer in pain does not mean that your injuries have fully healed. If you can t afford the continuing cost of treatment, you re invited to call me to discuss your options. SECRET #15: Consider and be prepared to file a lawsuit if the settlement offer is not fair. After your doctor releases you from treatment, your case must be prepared quickly and, if necessary, a lawsuit filed for you. Insurance companies are not in a hurry to settle cases unless (1) they can settle the lawsuit for far less than it s worth, or (2) they feel the pressure of the approaching court date. Insurance companies usually get serious about settling your claim if they see that they will have to start paying lawyers to defend your lawsuit. I will be more than happy to discuss the benefits and risks of filing a lawsuit and will make sure you understand all of the aspects before deciding to take this important step. SECRET #16: Ask a qualified, experienced personal injury trial lawyer to evaluate your case. You probably had a doctor evaluate your injuries. Doesn t it also make sense to have a lawyer evaluate your legal claim? The insurance company wants you to settle quickly in hopes that you ll settle for far less than your case is worth. An experienced personal injury trial attorney can help you by reviewing your file. They will carefully review the police report, doctors statements, medical bills, time lost from work and other information. Then they can give you an informed opinion about the estimated value of your case. If you d like me to evaluate your case, please don t hesitate to call. SECRET #17: If you decide to hire a lawyer, choose one who isn t afraid to go to court. Insurance companies keep tabs on lawyers. They know which lawyers will take them to court -- the fighters. And they know which lawyers will not go to court -- the settlers. The fighters usually get more money for their clients than the settlers. Make sure you discuss your case with a skilled personal injury trial lawyer. 7 COSTLY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT INJURY CASES MISCONCEPTION #1: I can settle my case without hiring a lawyer. True. If you re satisfied with the insurance company merely repairing your car and paying a portion of your medical bills, then you re right. You may not need to hire a lawyer. Still, it s important that you understand what you re entitled to. In most cases, you are entitled not only to recover your medical bills and repairs to your property, such as a car, but also to any additional damages you suffer, such as physical pain and suffering. That s why I urge you to at least talk with a lawyer over the telephone before you accept an insurance company s offer. Your lawyer takes the hassle out of dealing with the insurance company. In my office, I provide all these services for my clients, usually at no charge. In other words, I usually don t take a penny of the money I collect for damages to your property or car. My fee is limited to one third of what I recover for your physical and psychological injuries and damages -- nothing more. Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 4 of 20

5 MISCONCEPTION #2: An attorney requires a down payment to accept my injury claim. False. In my office, all accident cases are handled on a contingency fee. This means I get paid out of the money I recover for you. If you collect nothing, you pay no attorney s fee. To start, you can talk with me for free. And if you hire my services, you pay no fee until your case settles and I recover money for you. I will be happy to talk with you about this at our initial meeting. MISCONCEPTION #3: I ll have to go to court to get what my case is worth. False. Most injury cases are settled before the case goes to court. Often, when the insurance company realizes you and your lawyer are ready and willing to go to court, the insurance company starts making reasonable offers for your injury claim. If we don t like the first offer, we make a counteroffer. Negotiations may continue until both sides agree on a certain amount. In most cases, injury claims don t require a court trial, but in rare cases that do, our office is well equipped to see them through. MISCONCEPTION #4: I have to accept what my lawyer tells me. False. Anytime you feel confused or don t understand what s going on, you re entitled to and should get a second opinion. In the field of medicine, if your doctor suggests major surgery, you know it s wise to get a second opinion. Likewise, anytime you speak with one lawyer, you re perfectly free to confirm his advice by seeking a second opinion from another lawyer. I will be happy to review your case and provide a second opinion. MISCONCEPTION #5: Once I settle my claim, I can get more money in the future if I have additional medical bills. False. Once your claim is settled, it is over -- forever! No more money for bodily injury, pain and suffering, no matter what. The only exception is for actual medical bills in certain cases like car accidents and this, too, is limited and complicated. MISCONCEPTION #6: I have only one year to file a lawsuit. False. This can be a difficult question to answer. In Indiana, in most personal injuries cases, you have two years to file a lawsuit to protect your rights. However, in some instances, you may have only one year. If your claim is against a governmental entity (such as a city, county, or state or their employees), you may have only 90 days to protect your rights to make a claim. Specifically, in Indiana car accidents, to be certain your medical bills and lost wages are paid, you must file your claim within 30 days. It is important that you know your rights. Otherwise, you may lose your right to bring a claim for your injuries and damages. Ask me, and I ll help you determine the proper time frames so you don t forfeit your rights. MISCONCEPTION #7: If I am partly at fault for causing the accident, I am not entitled to any money. False. Even if you are partly to blame for the accident, you may still be entitled to recover money. Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 5 of 20

6 This is known as comparative negligence. For example, even if you are 25% at fault, you can recover 75% from the defendant who also caused your injuries. WHEN YOU NEED A LAWYER -- AND WHEN YOU DON T In some instances, you may be able to settle your claim with the insurance company by yourself, without an attorney s help. However, it s important that you realize you are going up against trained adjusters and claims representatives who get praised and promoted for keeping costs down and settlements low. Still, you may be able to settle your claim by yourself when you don t mind gathering all of the information necessary to determine the value of your claim when you don t mind going to the time and trouble of interviewing necessary witnesses when you think you have all the bases covered, and when you know the insurance company is not trying to take advantage of you. (You and I both know insurance companies always try to take advantage of you!) If you have questions or are unsure about what to do, you should consider hiring an attorney. Your personal injury lawyer can advise you on the proper course of action, explain your legal rights, tell you what to expect regarding the progress of your case, evaluate your case, and negotiate a full and fair settlement of your claim, all while representing your interests aggressively so you get the money you deserve for your injuries. Victims often share this concern: Will I get more money handling my case myself, or should I hire a lawyer? As you may know, your lawyer usually charges one third of the amount they recover for you as their fee. The amount of money your lawyer recovers is usually much more than you could have recovered on your own. You don t save any money by waiting to hire a lawyer. The sooner you contact me, the sooner I can aggressively pursue your claim. What will happen if I don t hire a lawyer? This question is hard to answer. You may do just fine, or you may permanently damage your case and make it much harder (or even impossible) to collect the money you deserve. Consider this analogy: You have a leaky faucet. You can try to fix it yourself, and you might do a good job. Adversely, you might cause further damage. Then you call the plumber. Now your plumber will charge you two or three times as much as he would have charged if you had called him at the beginning, when all you had was a leaky faucet. These extra charges are because of the damage you caused, which your plumber must now repair. You can hire me near the end of your case if you are having problems collecting from the insurance company. Or you can hire me at the beginning and I ll do all the work for you. Either way, you will pay me the same. So why not hire me at the beginning? You will pay me nothing more -- plus, you will save yourself all the time, stress, aggravation and hassle of dealing with the insurance company. What s more, I expect to persuade the insurance company to pay you more money than they would pay you if you do not have a lawyer. Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 6 of 20

7 8 COSTLY MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN SELECTING A PERSONAL INJURY TRIAL LAWYER MISTAKE #1: Choosing a lawyer who doesn t have enough experience. The most important factor in choosing a personal injury lawyer is the depth of their knowledge, skill, judgment, and experience handling injury claims. This includes (1) experience handling injury cases, and (2) experience taking injury cases to trial. In most cases, the money you recover for your injuries will come from an insurance company -- either the other person s insurance company or your own. One of the reasons insurance companies have so much money is because they pay accident victims like you as little as possible -- usually less than you deserve. Make sure the lawyer you select has in-depth experience handling personal injury cases. MISTAKE #2: Choosing a lawyer only because you like their advertising. A flashy TV commercial or yellow pages ad doesn t mean anything except that the lawyer agreed to pay for the ad. Advertising can make almost any lawyer look like an expert. Don t choose a lawyer solely because you like their ad. Make sure you ask questions about the attorney s experience in handling injury claims. I will be glad to talk with you about cases I have handled that are similar to your own. MISTAKE #3: Choosing the lawyer who promises you the most money. The amount of money you re entitled to recover, called damages, is based on many components: (1) the length of your recovery from injury, (2) the dollar amount of your medical bills, (3) the dollar amount of lost wages, (4) pain and suffering, and (5) the severity of your injuries. No one can tell you exactly what your case is worth until they gather all the facts. Any lawyer who promises you a certain amount of money before all of this information is known is making a promise they probably can t keep. MISTAKE #4: Choosing a lawyer because they expect to settle your case. The most powerful weapon you can use against the insurance company is your willingness and ability to take your case to trial. Most injury cases are settled without going to trial. Even so, if you hope to get a fair settlement for your injuries, your lawyer must be willing to take the insurance company to court. Otherwise, the insurance company has no reason to offer you a fair amount of money for your injuries. If you hire a settling attorney -- one who usually settles their cases and won t go to court -- you can expect to receive less money for your injuries than if you hire a skilled trial attorney. MISTAKE #5: Choosing a lawyer because of a referral from a friend. When a friend refers you to a lawyer, be careful. Yes, your friend probably means well, but your friend may not be the best source for a referral. You see, people often select a lawyer because they like them. But you need a lawyer who is much more than just a nice person. You need an attorney who has the trial experience to go up against billion-dollar insurance companies. Insurance companies hire experienced investigators, adjusters, and lawyers to work against you. You need Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 7 of 20

8 experienced lawyers and investigators working for you. Your best choice is an experienced personal injury trial lawyer with a proven track record and reputation for success. MISTAKE #6: Choosing a lawyer merely because they appear successful. A handsome office and an expensive car don t tell you anything about the lawyer s experience. Don t judge a lawyer merely by appearance. Choose a lawyer by whether they have the knowledge, skill, experience, and willingness to (1) sue the other party, and (2) take your case to trial, if necessary. That s the best way to make sure you recover the money you deserve. MISTAKE #7: Choosing a lawyer because of the location of their office. You may be inclined to select a lawyer who has an office down the street from your home or office, but this could be a big mistake because what you gain in convenience you may lose in knowledge and experience. Most of the work between a personal injury lawyer and their client may be done by mail and over the telephone. You should hire an experienced trial attorney, even if you must drive a little farther to their office. You may find that the extra minutes on the road will be worth thousands of extra dollars in your pocket. If travel is difficult for you, please let me know and I may be able to help you. MISTAKE #8: Not reviewing the lawyer s track record. You can get a good idea of a lawyer s experience by reviewing their track record of cases that they have settled or taken to trial. Ask the attorney about cases they have tried in court and cases they have settled. This will give you a way of determining the level of the attorney s experience. Hensley Legal Group, PC We always give you CPR: Compassion -- Peace of mind -- and Respect. Guaranteed! John and his staff could not have done any better. My experience was superb! John Hensley is awesome. He s an excellent man, an excellent lawyer, and he knows his stuff. When you go to a lawyer, you don t feel comfortable. John makes you feel good. I ve known him for two years. I will definitely refer my friends to Hensley Law Firm. Debra Johnson; Indianapolis, Indiana Everyone in the office answered my questions and asked if they could do more to help. I m glad I chose Hensley Legal Group. Everything they did was professional. They were very prompt with their responses, whether on the phone, by or by letter. I worked specifically with Sarah. It was definitely a pleasure to have her on my side. I will refer my friends to John Hensley s law firm. Greg Nichols; Indianapolis, Indiana Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 8 of 20

9 Hundreds of injured victims have hired John Hensley and Hensley Legal Group, PC over the past 15 years partly because of HENSLEY LEGAL GROUP S 12-PART CLIENT SERVICES GUARANTEE When you hire our services, we promise you will receive Close Personal Attention. We promise we will answer all of your questions, meet with you as often as you wish, and do everything possible to treat you the way we like to be treated when we re the client. 2. Immediate Access. We promise we will speak with you immediately if we re in the office and available when you call. If we re out of the office or with clients, we will return your call as soon as possible. 3. Prompt Return Calls. We promise we will make every effort to return your phone calls promptly. If we re in court or away from the office for another reason, my legal assistant or secretary will call you and set a time for our telephone appointment. 4. Quick Response to Your Requests. Whenever you need something from our office, please don t hesitate to call. We promise we ll respond as quickly as possible. 5. Confidential Service. We promise when you hire us, everything we do for you is confidential. No one outside of our office will know anything about your case, except those people with whom we re working to settle your claim. 6. Convenient Appointments. We promise to set appointments at a time and place that are convenient for you. If for some reason the location isn t to your liking, we ll be happy to come to your office or home, if you prefer. 7. Contingency Fee. On cases we accept, we receive a fee out of the money we recover for you. If we do not recover any money, we don t get paid. We will never ask you for a retainer or deposit. We will never ask you to pay us by the hour. We get paid only after we collect money for you. 8. Current Knowledge. We work hard to maintain the highest level of knowledge in the areas in which we practice. Our lawyers and staff eagerly attend continuing seminars, workshops and roundtables to stay up to date on the newest laws and latest court decisions. 9. Competent Services. The seminars and workshops we attend allow us to provide you with the latest information, most effective techniques, and most efficient methods so that you receive the full legal protection the law allows. Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 9 of 20

10 10. Aggressive Representation. Most lawyers are not trial attorneys, so when a conflict arises that requires court appearances, they often send the case to another law firm. Since we are trial lawyers, we will gladly represent you in court if the insurance company or opposing party does not offer you a reasonable settlement. One thing is for sure; we ll help you every step of the way. 11. Value in Every Respect. Our goal is to make sure you feel the value you receive from us is always greater than our fee. So while we can t guarantee our fees will always be low, we can guarantee they will always be fair. We want you to receive more value from us than any other lawyer or law firm you know, and we ll work hard to make sure you do. 12. More Than You Expect. If you think of a way we can provide you with better service, or better meet your needs, please share with us. If you have something troubling you, or if you have a concern or a problem, please discuss it with us. If we can help you, we will. And if we can t help you, we may know someone who can. A good lawyer-client relationship deals with all types of problems, not just legal problems. So, if something crosses your mind and you want our input, we ll be happy to help. HENSLEY LEGAL GROUP S NO-RISK GUARANTEES Hensley Legal Group s Promise to You We guarantee that our attorneys will not get one cent in attorneys fees unless we win or settle your case and you collect money. Hensley Legal Group s No-Risk, No-Cost, No-Questions-Asked, Take-Your-File Guarantee We guarantee that if you are not delighted with our services during the first 30 days, we will gladly give you your file -- at no cost -- containing all the work we ve done to date -- so you can hire another lawyer or law firm. It s that simple. John Hensley Founder & Managing Partner Hensley Legal Group, PC You re Invited to Call Today! We re here for the people and we ll be happy to help you in every way! Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 10 of 20

11 Thanks for asking about how I represent clients in personal injury and death claims against insurance companies... I m going to tell you everything you want to know: How to get a fair settlement for your injuries. Costly misconceptions about injury claims. Mistakes to avoid when hiring a lawyer. How I can help you. And much more. It doesn t matter what type of injury claim you have: Auto accident. Construction site accident. Brain or spinal injury. Anything. When you ask me to help you, you ll profit from my 15 years of experience hardball negotiating with insurance companies -- achieving fair compensation for injured victims -- handling denied claims -- and more! I offer you the same high level of skill that I have provided to thousands of clients over the past 15 years. Here s all you do: Just tell me about your injury and the problems you face. If you have a good case, I ll suggest specific steps we can take to collect money for you in the shortest time with the highest likelihood of success. With your approval, I ll prepare the documents and materials we need to persuade the toughest decision-makers. Powerful facts that help them see the benefits of settling your claim -- without the hassle, time, cost or effort of going to court. OK. Let s say you d like me to help you but don t know where to begin. I think I can guess your questions: HOW DO I GET THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY FOR MY INJURIES? This depends on the type and size of your claim. Insurance companies are known for dragging out the process. They may start by saying they don t owe you one cent. They may even say you caused your own injury. If you convince them that they should pay your claim, they ll invent dozens of reasons to delay. After all, they figure the longer they wait, the happier you are to settle for even a small amount. The first thing you should do is call me. I ll ask you a few simple questions over the phone. Then I ll explain how to protect your legal rights and the steps we should take to make the insurance company pay you the money you deserve. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID I DON T NEED AN ATTORNEY. IS THAT TRUE? No. Insurance companies representatives are paid -- and sometimes given bonuses -- for getting you Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 11 of 20

12 to accept a very small amount of money for your injuries. I highly recommend that you choose an attorney who is focused on your best interests. It s wise that you not talk with the insurance company until you have an attorney representing you. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS OFFERING A GOOD SETTLEMENT. SHOULDN T I JUST ACCEPT IT? No. It is almost always a mistake to accept a settlement without first talking with an experienced personal injury attorney. Once you agree to a settlement, you lose any other rights you may have had. That s why it pays to talk with an attorney first. For example, you could find out six months down the road that your injuries are causing other problems. If you have already settled your case, you cannot open it again. You re stuck! HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK MY CASE IS WORTH? It s impossible to answer this question until we investigate your case. However, we may be able to give you an estimated range based on the facts and circumstances of your situation. Factors that determine the value of a claim include how severe your injuries are whether your injuries are permanent or temporary whether you earn an income and support others the cost of your medical treatments whether you have pain and suffering whether you or the other party was negligent, and whether you ll need lifelong care. Please feel free to call or me and I will be happy to give you the benefit of my experience and offer you a free, no-obligation consultation. WILL I HAVE TO GO TO TRIAL TO COLLECT THE MONEY I DESERVE, OR CAN WE SETTLE OUT OF COURT? Most of the accident claims I handle do settle without going to court. However, there are times when you will likely get better results if we go to court. You and I will make this evaluation together. I am prepared for whichever path will better serve you. I NEED AN ATTORNEY WHO WORKS FULL TIME NEGOTIATING WITH INSUR- ANCE COMPANIES. IS THIS YOUR PRIMARY AREA OF PRACTICE? Yes. I limit my law practice to representing those injured in an accident against insurance companies. The types of claims I handle most often include Automobile Accident Cases Construction Site Accidents Brain and Spinal Injuries Burn Injuries Truck and Bus Accidents Injuries to Children, and Wrongful Death Cases. I NEED HELP FINDING THE RIGHT DOCTOR. DO YOU KNOW EXPERIENCED DOCTORS I CAN GO TO FOR TREATMENT? Certainly. Over the past 15 years, I ve worked with many of the top doctors in Indiana. I ll be glad to help you find the doctor who is most likely to help you improve your condition -- and help document your insurance claim. Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 12 of 20

13 WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED EXPERT WITNESSES AND INVESTIGATORS? CAN YOU HELP WITH THEM, TOO? Yes. I have qualified, experienced professionals I depend on in many different fields. No matter which professionals we need, I ll take care of everything. WHAT LEVEL OF SUCCESS DO YOU ACHIEVE FOR YOUR CLIENTS? I can t put that into a percentage, but the fact that I ve represented plaintiffs for 15 years in Indiana is evidence that I have in-depth experience. I am a member of the Indiana Trial Attorneys Association and the former Association of Trial Lawyers of America, which is now called the American Association for Justice. Certainly not all cases have high values. And, on the other hand, a case that you might think isn t worth much could wind up being worth a great deal. It depends on the facts in the case -- and on the experience of the attorney evaluating those facts. DO YOU REPRESENT INJURED VICTIMS ANYWHERE IN INDIANA? Yes. I have represented clients in all parts of Indiana. Let s talk about your claim and if I can help you, distance won t be a problem. HOW SOON AFTER THE ACCIDENT DO I HAVE TO FILE A CLAIM? IS THERE A TIME LIMIT? I DIDN T REALIZE I WAS HURT UNTIL LATER. In most cases, you have two years to file your claim, but we should start investigating your claim as quickly as possible so we can gather evidence before it disappears. HOW DO YOU CHARGE FOR YOUR SERVICES? I work on a contingency fee basis. This means I do not collect any attorney s fee unless you win the case and you collect money. My fee will be a percentage of what I collect for you. I will never ask you for a retainer, deposit or any money up front -- and if you don t get paid, I don t charge any fee. HOW SOON CAN WE BEGIN SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS? I NEED MONEY NOW TO PAY MY BILLS. Generally, it is not a good idea to start any negotiations until you have completely recovered from the accident or injury. This is because we must have a clear idea if you have any permanent injuries -- disabilities -- or ongoing needs. Unexpected medical bills, additional lost income, and ongoing pain and suffering can make an early settlement a big mistake. To get all of the money you deserve, we must know the full extent of your injuries, losses, pain and suffering. However, we will do everything possible to speed up the process as soon as settling your claim is in your best interests. DO YOU CHARGE ME TO REVIEW MY CASE? No. I will gladly review your situation and discuss your claim at no cost. If your case appears to be a winner, I ll tell you. If I don t think I can win your case, I ll tell you that, too. And if I think I can Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 13 of 20

14 help you, I ll invite you to my office where we can go into your claim in more detail. WHEN CAN WE START? Right now, if you like. Just call me toll free at (or local ) and I ll gladly speak with you over the phone. Or drop me an at jhensley@hensleylegal.com and let s set a time to talk. WARNING: Please don t delay. The strength of your case will be based on how much evidence we can find to support your claim. Sometimes, I can compile evidence on your behalf, such as medical reports and opinions from expert witnesses. But at other times -- like after a car or truck accident -- the longer you wait, the more likely it is that evidence will vanish. If you want to protect your legal rights -- and if you want to recover the money you deserve -- please don t wait one moment longer. Call me now -- or send me an . I will respond promptly. Cordially, John JOHN D. HENSLEY Founder & Managing Partner HENSLEY LEGAL GROUP, PC ATTORNEYS AT LAW -- FOUNDED East New York Street, Suite 300 Indianapolis, Indiana Telephone Facsimile jhensley@hensleylegal.com Contact Us Online or Call Us Toll Free at for a Free Evaluation of Your Claim, With No Obligation Hensley Legal Group, PC We always give you CPR: Compassion -- Peace of mind -- and Respect. Guaranteed! Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 14 of 20

15 MEET JOHN D. HENSLEY For over a decade, attorneys at my firm and I have been representing the kind people of Indiana. It has been my great pleasure to serve the residents of Indianapolis. If you ve been injured -- or if a member of your family has died -- as the result of someone else s negligence, my lawyers and I will be here for you. We represent people who have suffered all types of accidental injuries. In addition, we represent people who want to receive their Social Security Disability benefits -- and people who have suffered as the result of a doctor s mistakes. I ve enjoyed the many people I ve met along the way and all the families I have been able to help. If you ever need me, I promise I will do everything I can to help you. --John John D. Hensley was born and raised in central Indiana. He has always possessed an overwhelming desire to protect the rights of his fellow Hoosiers. This is why he has devoted his law practice to helping people who have been injured. John hung out his shingle in 1998, opening his own law office in downtown Indianapolis. Every day he works to achieve for his clients the best possible results. John brings his experience and compassion to his law practice and represents his clients vigorously with great success. Practice Areas: John represents people who have been injured as the result of vehicle accidents, dangerous products, medical malpractice and nursing home abuse. Also, John helps people collect their Social Security Disability benefits. Education: In 1994, John earned a Bachelor of Science Degree at Ball State University in Muncie. And in 1997, he earned his Juris Doctor Degree at Valparaiso University School of Law. Bar Admissions: John is admitted to practice law in all Indiana State Courts, the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Northern Districts of Indiana, and all Florida State Courts. Professional Associations and Memberships: John is a proud member of the Indiana Trial Attorneys Association and the American Association for Justice, formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA). Hensley Legal Group, PC We always give you CPR: Compassion -- Peace of mind -- and Respect. Guaranteed! Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 15 of 20

16 READ WHAT INJURED VICTIMS SAY ABOUT RESPECTED PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER JOHN D. HENSLEY AND HENSLEY LEGAL GROUP, PC Hiring Hensley Legal Group was an amazing experience all around. Hiring Hensley Legal Group is the best experience I could have imagined working with a lawyer. I had never had a lawyer before this case with John. It was an amazing experience all around. I can t say enough good things about them. I even sent them a thank-you note. I wish I could do something else to thank them. I was totally impressed with the firm s efficiency and speed when working on my case. Someone came to the house and gathered information. This might have been because we were short on time. I enjoyed how easy it was to work with everyone. Their communication was really good. I can t think of anything that could have made my experience better. I will certainly refer friends to Hensley Legal Group. Amy Wightman; Fishers, Indiana Everything they said they would do, they did. I ve sent about 15 people to them. Hensley Legal Group has done work for my brother, daughter, son and friends. Everybody I know I ve sent there. Everyone I ve sent there is happy with their work. In John Hensley s office, they always return my call on the same day, every time, and their facts and advice were reliable. Everything they said would happen happened. And everything they said they would do, they did. I ve sent about 15 people to them. Dave Cook; Plainfield, Indiana John and his staff could not have done any better. My experience was superb! John Hensley is awesome. He s an excellent man, an excellent lawyer, and he knows his stuff. He s the best lawyer I ve ever seen. When you go to a lawyer, you don t feel comfortable. John makes you feel good. I ve known him for two years. John and his staff could not have done any better. My experience was superb! I will definitely refer my friends to Hensley Legal Group. Debra Johnson; Indianapolis, Indiana Everyone in the office answered my questions and asked if they could do more to help. I am very pleased with the outcome of my case. I m definitely better off for hiring a lawyer -- and I m glad I chose Hensley Legal Group. Everything they did was professional. Everyone in the office answered my questions and asked if they could do more to help. They were very prompt with their responses, whether on the phone, by or by letter. I worked specifically with Sarah. It was definitely a pleasure to have her on my side. I will refer my friends to John Hensley s law firm. Greg Nichols; Indianapolis, Indiana Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 16 of 20

17 John s law firm worked hard to get what I received. I have already referred two friends. I m so glad I went to Hensley Legal Group. I was very pleased with how they handled my case. They worked hard to get what I received. I have nothing bad to say at all. My communication with Kathleen and John was the best. I have already referred two friends. Patty Taylor; Indianapolis, Indiana I would trust John Hensley with my life. And his people are the best! They don t talk over your head; they talk to you. I have so much respect for John. I would trust John with my life. And his people are the best. I ve worked with John for seven years and he has never not returned my phone call, never talked to me in any manner other than making me feel like his number one client. John knows every client is important. I have referred people to John and will keep referring. Mary Hoop; Indianapolis, Indiana Hensley Legal Group was great. I will send my friends to this law firm. I really liked Hensley Legal Group because they were friendly and because of how much they wanted to help. They were great. I will send my friends to this law firm. Sharon Coatney; Indianapolis, Indiana Hensley Legal Group knew what I went through and were very compassionate. Hensley Legal Group was great! They didn t look down on me. They knew what I went through and were very compassionate. They genuinely cared. They kept me in the loop on everything that was going on, and anytime anything changed, they were on the phone calling me. Amy took care of my case and I like how well she explained everything. She stayed in constant contact with me. Amy told me this would not be a quick case; she said it could last a year or so. I told her I only wanted what was fair. Amy wrapped up my case in five or six months. Everything worked out great, super great! I have recommended Hensley Legal Group many times. Steve Freeman; Greenfield, Indiana John Hensley and his staff were very patient, very kind, friendly and generous. I m so happy I hired Hensley Legal Group. John Hensley and his staff were excellent. I love them. They were very patient, very kind, friendly and generous. They understood my situation. Everyone treated me really nice. Amy is excellent. She kept me updated about everything and never left me in the dark. Amy always went by what I said. She was on point and wonderful. I will definitely refer my friends to this law firm. Taresia Ellis; Indianapolis, Indiana If there s a 5-star rating for lawyers, Hensley Legal Group gets all 5 stars. Regarding Hensley Legal Group: They re the best. They re the greatest. I stumbled onto them by accident when I had my accident. And I ve had dealings with other lawyers in the past. Hensley Legal Group is more than satisfactory. I found them to be kind and considerate. They follow up, dealt with my case superbly, and I can t say enough. They re the best. If I have any other legal trouble, I will go to them first, and only them! If there s a 5-star rating for lawyers, they get all 5 stars. I thank them for all their courtesies, all their wonderful work, and all their efforts. Richard Torres; Fishers, Indiana Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 17 of 20

18 I was very impressed. My case was settled and I didn t have to go to a hearing. I tried another lawyer before calling Hensley, but he did nothing for me, so I decided to try someone else. I was very impressed with Hensley Legal Group. John Hensley sent someone to my home to sign me up and take my history. That was a big help for me, since I was diagnosed with bipolar schizoaffective disorder. Plus, I ve had lower back trouble for years. Kathleen was my case worker and she is a real sweetheart. My case was settled and I didn t have to go to a hearing. I ve already given out Mr. Hensley s name to friends. Jeff Bergstrom; Kokomo, Indiana I was very impressed with the results. The results were so quick, they made me smile. At first, I was trying to get disability and it was ridiculous what disability put me through. I called Hensley Legal Group and they sent a field agent to my home. He was on time and very courteous. This gentleman asked a few questions and talked things over with the office. He reported back and said they could help me. My case manager, Kathleen, was wonderful. I was very impressed with Hensley Legal Group s results. In fact, the results were so quick, they made me smile. I ve watched other TV commercials, where lawyers were yelling, screaming and trying to get attention. This doesn t appeal to me or the people I know. John Hensley said he is here for the people. No one ng they saidat. And John never broke stride with his voice. He was professional, not nervous, and showed he was not a shyster. John knew what he was talking about and did what he said he d do. I m very happy with how my case was handled. Larry Burke; Muncie, Indiana I liked the man who came to the house for my initial consultation. Everybody was great. I m glad I hired Hensley Legal Group. I liked the man who came to the house for my initial consultation. And they were really quick to get back with me if I had a question. Everybody I worked with was really great. No bad experiences the entire time the case went on. I didn t actually get to meet my attorney, Sarah Graziano, until the last couple months. I will definitely recommend Hensley Legal Group to friends. They re a good company to work with. Lucas H. (last name protected for privacy); Muncie, Indiana After I faxed the paperwork, they took care of everything and kept me in the loop. When my case had dragged out long enough, I hired Hensley Legal Group. I didn t have to do much. After I faxed the paperwork, they took care of everything and kept me in the loop. Everyone there was really nice. No one gave me a bad time or treated me like a bad guy. I would recommend Hensley Legal Group to my friends. Doug Rooze; Crawfordsville, Indiana They really took a sincere interest in me when they said they would help me. I was a truck driver when a lady hit me, causing a back injury. After seeing and talking to five or six different lawyers who wouldn t help me, I heard Mr. Hensley s motto we re for the people and decided to call. I ve been very happy that I hired Hensley Legal Group. I was most pleased with how employees in the office care about people, like with me. They really took a sincere interest in me when they said they would help me. They bent over backwards. When I talked with John and saw the sincerity and compassion he had for people, those are what swayed me. I had no insurance and John said he d get me medical help, and he did. That s the only way I got medical attention. John s not only a terrific guy, he s a lawyer who cares. Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 18 of 20

19 In addition to this case, I ve talked with many attorneys in my life and I can honestly say John was the first attorney who cared enough to warrant recommendation. John, Amy, Sarah and everybody in his office was great. It should be this way for everybody. I m glad I saw John on TV. It was a lastditch effort when I called him. And today I recommend him highly. Now I m hoping to become a school teacher. It ll take four years before I get a teaching degree. I m going to school Monday, Wednesday, and Friday so I can be a substitute teacher on Tuesday and Thursday. Roger Long; Colfax, Indiana Everything was done very quickly, in a timely manner. My daughter Cheyenne Baker was a pedestrian when she was hit by a car. I found Hensley Legal Group in the phone book. And I very strongly recommend them. Everything was done very quickly, in a timely manner. This makes her future look bright. Melanie Trimble; Indianapolis, Indiana Kathleen worked hard to show the judge that I really needed disability and Medicare to stay alive. Kathleen saved my life. When I met Mr. Hensley, he was a tall, good-looking guy, like a basketball player. He was in shape and a sharp dresser. I have panic attacks and Mr. Hensley helped prepare me to go in front of a judge. He looks right at you, like a judge. And he asks questions a judge would ask. He ll tell you whether you have a case. Kathleen went the extra mile to get all my medical records -- and there were a lot! She sent forms to my doctors. Kathleen and the team in Mr. Hensley s office worked hard to get everything done. She organized all the information and got it approved so I wouldn t have to go in front of the judge. Kathleen was frustrated with the system, since she knew I needed knee surgery. And the longer I waited, the worse I got. I lost control in my arms and body from having to wait. Kathleen worked hard to show the judge that I really needed disability and Medicare to stay alive. Kathleen saved my life. Angie Ulery; Indianapolis, Indiana Please Read Hensley Legal Group s Promise to You The clients named above gave Hensley Legal Group permission to use their names and comments as part of our ongoing education and marketing effort. We hope your experience with our firm will be as favorable as theirs were. We offer the following guarantee in writing so you can get to know us at no cost to you: We guarantee that if you are not delighted with our services during the first 30 days, at your request we will give you your file at no cost -- containing all the work we have done to date -- so you can hire another lawyer or law firm. John D. Hensley Hensley Legal Group, PC Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 19 of 20

20 YOU RE INVITED TO CALL OR . If you have questions about your accident or injury case, please don t hesitate to call. You ve heard me say many times, Now I promise we re here to help! -- John Call Us Toll Free at or Contact Us Online at for a Free Evaluation of Your Claim, at No Cost or Obligation. JOHN D. HENSLEY Founder & Managing Partner HENSLEY LEGAL GROUP, PC ATTORNEYS AT LAW -- FOUNDED East New York Street, Suite 300 Indianapolis, Indiana Telephone Facsimile jhensley@hensleylegal.com Hensley Legal Group, PC We always give you CPR: Compassion -- Peace of mind -- and Respect. Guaranteed! Copyright 2014 by Hensley Legal Group, PC. All rights reserved. Questions? Problems? Call Hensley Legal Group toll free at Page 20 of 20