Panel Solicitor or my own Solicitor, do I have a choice?

The simple answer is yes but on too many occasions the client seem unaware of their options and become involved in a retainer with a Panel Solicitor which may not be in their best interests.
As I mentioned in my previous posting the insurer will undoubtedly have an interest in recommending their Panel Solicitor and this may not be in your best interest often as a result of the quality of the representation that you receive.

I have personally seen several cases where I have had to take them over because the Panel Solicitor either has not fully investigated the claim, has reached the wrong decision on liability, has not obtained the right medical evidence or at worst has under settled the claim.

In most personal injury cases you will get one bite of the cherry to get it right and it is therefore necessary to ensure that the claim is fully investigated, fully documented and appropriately valued before settlement is made on a full and final basis.

I fully advocate that the client should be provided complete freedom of choice in terms of the solicitor that they wish to use and it is often quite possible for the client to have that freedom of choice and to still use the benefit of the insurance cover that they may have for their legal fees. Just let us as the solicitors deal with the insurer. To do that, we usually need to be contacted early and it is therefore my recommendation to all clients that before you follow the insurer’s recommendations just think about why they are making the recommendation and is it in your best interest. If you are not sure speak to another solicitor first.

At Rogers & Norton we will always have an initial meeting with the client without cost and without obligation. We have a vast array of funding options to enable a claim to be advanced and that includes using the client’s own legal expense insurance. If you have a case that you wish to discuss please contact us on the enquiry form on our website at http://www.rogers-norton.co.uk/make-a-claim.htm, we would be delighted to speak to you.

For more information please contact the Personal Injury Department at pi@rogers-norton.co.uk