Frequently Asked Questions

What Types of Cases Do You Accept?

  • Moving Vehicle Accidents: cars, ATVs, buses, big-rigs, motorcycles, bikes, boating, railroad, pedestrian, cross-walk accidents etc.
  • Nursing Home Abuse: bed sores, infectious diseases, improper medication, falls, broken bones, dehydration, wrongful death.
  • Personal Injury Accidents: slip and fall, dog bites, swimming pool accidents, bar fights, skylight injuries, apartment complex accidents, amusement park accidents, elevator/escalator accidents, burn and scar injuries, assault and battery injuries, sexual assault injuries, wrongful death, paraplegia, quadriplegia, brain injuries, birth injuries, electrocution, construction accidents.
  • Child Injury: injuries at school and church, playground accidents, physical and sexual abuse at school or church, teacher child abuse, school bus accidents, cross-walk accidents, bullying and assault, daycare and preschool injuries, toy injuries, wrongful death.

What Is the Rule on Attorney Referral Fees in California?

California allows referral fees to be paid by lawyers to other lawyers. In fact, California is one of the few states to allow lawyers to collect a referral fee simply for handing a case over to a different lawyer, even if they have never formally participated in the legal case. It seems fairly straightforward but there are also things that must be done in order to make sure you are not violating any of the California rules of professional conduct.

What If the Attorney Does Not Obtain the Client’s Consent for an Attorney Referral Fee?

If you refer a case to a personal injury lawyer, that lawyer is legally bound to obtain the client’s consent regarding attorney referral fees or special fee-splitting arrangements.

When the attorney whom you referred your case to doesn’t get the client’s consent, your referral fee agreement may become void. We have also heard horror stories of attorneys transferring a case to another attorney (usually when they can’t settle the case and realize that aren’t equipped for a jury trial) without informing the client that they have done so. When this happens the attorney you referred your client to may also face professional conduct sanctions for misconduct or a malpractice lawsuit.

As you can see, it is very simple to refer a client and be paid referral fees as long as you are working with a partner who understands the importance of honest and clear communication, both with you and with the client.