No law states that a plaintiff in a civil court case has to have a lawyer. Any plaintiff can elect to follow the path of self-representation. That tactic is allowed, but it is not necessarily a good one to pursue.
Benefits linked to self-representation
The plaintiff can save money on legal fees. Even though a personal injury lawyer charges only a contingency fee, there are expenses associated suing someone or some organization in a courtroom setting. Elimination of the contingency fee provides the plaintiff with more money, for covering any court costs. The plaintiff/victim has had first hand-experience of the events that led-up to the injury causing accident. A lawyer’s argument reflects possession of only second-hand experiences.
Drawbacks associated with self-representation
Someone that has chosen to dispense with a lawyer needs to have a lawyer’s skills. Personal injury lawyers in Calgary have been trained to be good negotiators and they have a strong knowledge of the law. The average person does not possess such knowledge. That fact reduces the chances that a plaintiff can win a case personal injury case by using self-representation.
A plaintiff that has tried self-representing his or her case in a courtroom has increased the chances for the making of a mistake. If a plaintiff makes a mistake in a personal injury trial, then that same plaintiff suffers the consequences. The consequences could take the form of a reduced compensation package. Plaintiffs with a lawyer can sue that member of the legal system, if he or she does make a mistake. Plaintiffs that have chosen to do without an attorney do not enjoy the same privilege.
Lawyers track down the relevant documents and prepare them for presentation in a courtroom. That might call for the copying of large numbers of papers. In the absence of an attorney, the plaintiff must complete all the required paperwork. That is not only time-consuming, but it can also prove expensive. The legal system demands that a defendant receive a copy of all the papers submitted to the court by the plaintiff. If the plaintiff has chosen to self-represent, then copying and preparation of the necessary papers becomes the plaintiff’s job.
A lawyer’s education and experience allow that member of the legal community to make a stronger presentation, when advocating for a given client. Hence, an injured claimant, one that has retained a personal injury attorney enjoys better prospects for a large compensation package. In addition, lawyers have become familiar with the legal system. That familiarity can prove highly useful, if a personal injury attorney must advocate for a given client. The attorney’s experience and knowledge can work to deliver a large compensation package to a grateful client.