In his first appearance since the pandemic, attorney Ben Folkman joined Joe Doc and Sonny Banks on “The Sonny Banks Show” to discuss his practice and the vital role that an experienced attorney plays in helping their clients prevail in personal injury, commercial litigation, medical malpractice, and civil litigation cases.
It was an engaging and informative chat that provided keen insight into how the Folkman Law Offices operate. Ben was happy to catch up with the roundtable with news of the jurisdiction expansion for the firm. Folkman Law can now represent clients and take on cases in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Washington D.C., Arizona, Vermont, Missouri, and Colorado.
With so many offices and clients to help, it’s no wonder he had to admit that the golf clubs given to him as a gift by his family are just gathering dust. There’s no time to hit the links when there are claims to settle!
When asked what was in his “legal wheelhouse,” Ben told the group, “It depends on the day. I’ve tried a lot of different cases, and it’s not just personal injury. We’re selective with what we take.”
The issue of medical malpractice claims arose, and Ben confirmed that these are very expensive to prosecute, requiring a significant injury to warrant pursuing a doctor. These cases begin with a certificate of merit that needs to be provided by an independent medical expert. He also pointed out that, “Most of the time, the insurance companies on the other side will not bend until you get fairly into the case and often not before you’re on the cusp of the trial.”
That’s why clients need to be prepared for these types of cases to last for years.
Ben provided insight for any listener who might need an attorney. He emphasized the point that when picking an attorney, you have to ensure that they are willing to go to trial. An attorney without extensive litigation experience might be compelled to accept a lowball offer from an insurance company that is less than the full value of the claim.
“It’s better to start with someone who has more experience to maximize the settlement,” He said. “I work for you. You don’t work for me.”
He also made it clear that you want a lawyer who will treat you like a human being. That is especially true in personal injury cases. The Folkman Law Offices team will send a representative from the firm, along with the client, to their IME (Independent Medical Examiner) office for the client’s medical examination.
As Ben called them, the DME (Defense Medical Examiner) is hired by the insurance company with the mission to “find nothing wrong.” When you have someone taking notes and verifying the accuracy of the report, you are supporting your client.
Ben addressed the issue of some personal injury attorneys who invest heavily in advertisements to attract clients, but they may not be the best representatives for those clients. He explained that when a new client comes to their office, they discuss the three key elements of a personal injury case: liability, damages, and collectability. “We never predict the value of the case.”
This appearance proved yet again that when it comes to standing up for their clients and working tirelessly to find the maximum benefits, you’d be wise to consult with Ben Folkman and Folkman Law Offices.
