At Price Benowitz, LLP we represent people who have been injured as a result of an automobile accident, a slip and fall accident, or medical malpractice on a contingency fee basis. Our lawyers provide a free initial consultation and case assessment as well as offer free advice to anyone who calls with questions about their rights, the claims process, and what steps to take after sustaining an injury due to someone else's negligence. The initial consultation is important in order for our attorneys to determine if you have a case and for you to determine if you want to hire a Price Benowitz, LLP attorney to handle your case. Everything discussed during the initial consultation is confidential and the lawyer cannot discuss the details of your case with anyone outside of our firm.

After a consultation, if we decide to take your case and you decide to hire us, we will send you a Contingency Fee Agreement for your review and signature. A Contingency Fee Agreement should always be in writing. In a Contingency Fee Agreement you are not charged any upfront fee, but rather agree to pay us a certain percentage of the money received only if you win the case or settle the case out of court. If you lose your case, we do not receive any fee for our services. Similarly, our basic Contingency Fee Agreement explains the following:

• the services you can expect our lawyers to perform for you;


• that we will not charge you a fee in your case unless the case is won or a settlement is obtained on your behalf; and


• if we do obtain a settlement from the insurance company on your behalf, our fee is 1/3 of the gross recovery.

In other words, clients do not pay us a fee for our services unless they recover for their injuries. Our attorneys bring their experience and knowledge to your case and work hard for you because, in the end, we do not get paid unless we win your case and you are compensated for your injuries. In most personal injury cases, injured persons are compensated for the medical bills associated with medical treatment for their injuries and lost wages, as well as pain and suffering, mental anguish and inconvenience.

If you have been injured in an automobile accident, it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side to protect your interests and your rights as well as to navigate your claim against the insurance company. A Price Benowitz, LLP attorney could be that attorney for you. Call for your free initial consultation and case assessment today!

DC and Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer Chamille Kittles wrote this blog post. In addition to handling cases in Washington, DC and Maryland, Price Benowtiz LLP can assist people who have been injured in Northern Virginia. For more information about our Virginia Accident Lawyer, please visit our website.

Continue reading "Pay No Legal Fees Unless There is a Settlement or You Win Your Case" »

We are fast approaching the height of the holiday season, the time of the year where co-workers, friends and family gather at parties and social events to celebrate the holidays and the New Year. It is customary that alcohol is available, and in most cases it is served quite freely at these parties. The vast majority of those who choose to drink do so responsibly, however some individuals act irresponsibly and decide to get behind the wheel and drive despite having consumed alcohol, or even worse, becoming intoxicated. This poses a significant threat to the health and safety of all others on the road during this time of the year.

One way to prevent anyone from being involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver is to never drink and drive. There are various programs available to alleviate the dangers of having intoxicated drivers on the roadways such as having a designated driver or using the SoberRide Taxi Service (a free [$30 value] taxi ride program for impaired drivers in the Metropolitan Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia area).

Most important, you should never get into a car with someone who has been drinking because, in the event of an accident, you may be barred from receiving compensation for your injuries by law. In Maryland and the District of Columbia, a passenger in a car driven by an intoxicated driver who is injured in an accident may be precluded from obtaining any recovery for medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering if it is determined that the passenger knew or should have known of the driver's intoxicated condition, and if the driver's negligence, is the proximate cause of the accident. In legal terms, this is known as assumption of the risk. In other words, a person who, with full knowledge of a driver's intoxicated state, still voluntarily chooses to get in a car operated by that driver, will not be able to recover for any injuries caused by the driver's intoxication because it is presumed that the passenger assumed the risk of driving with a drunk driver.

Injuries resulting from accidents involving a drunk driver are often considerably much more serious. In many cases, they may require the individual who has been injured to pursue costly medical care and can also lead to a loss of income from time spent recovering from injury. Those who experience these unfortunate consequences as the result of someone else's reckless and irresponsible choice should not have to deal with the situation by themselves. The personal injury attorneys at Price Benowitz, LLP are prepared to offer their knowledge and services to anyone who has been injured by a drunk driver, especially during the holiday season.

DC and Maryland Personal Injury Attorney Chamille Kittles wrote this blog post. Price Benowitz also has an office in Northern Virginia, led by Virginia Accident Lawyer Thomas Soldan.

Continue reading "Car Accidents During the Holiday Season" »

Cell phones, laptops, and tablets can no longer be used in D.C. Superior Court if you are not an attorney or law enforcement officer. Understandably, this creates a significant issue for those of us who like to pass their in-court time playing games or texting pals. Take it from me; a law clerk that has spent hours of downtime in court, something to do in between hearings is crucial. But no more "Angry Birds" allowed.

On Wednesday, November 9th Judge Satterfield approved Administrative Order 11-17, which requires that any electronic device be turned off and stored out of sight while in the courtroom. While cameras and video equipment have been prohibited for some time, this new regulation adds other electronics to the list since technology has made even the smallest devices capable of recording and photography.

Certain people like D.C. Bar attorneys, law enforcement, and court officers are exempted from the rule. Those members of the media and people who are representing themselves in court proceedings may apply to the presiding judge for an exemption. But without an exemption, if you are seen using your cell phone in the courtroom, you may be asked to leave or your phone can be confiscated until you do. The rule even specifies that flagrant violation may result in contempt charges, in which case your cell phone or other confiscated device could be retained as evidence against you.

Thankfully, this new rule pales in comparison to those in Virginia courts, which don't even allow cell phones to enter the building if you aren't an attorney. In Arlington, court attendees are relegated to rummaging for quarters in order to store their cell phones in lockers across the street at the jail. At least here, you can still carry it with you.

Just be aware that from here out...if you get bored easily, maybe you should bring a book.

Rosana Escobar Brown wrote this blog post. Rosana is a law clerk at the Washington DC headquartered law firm Price Benowitz LLP. For more information about the personal injury practice group, visit our Maryland personal injury lawyer and Virginia personal injury lawyer websites.

Continue reading "New Rules for Cell Phones in DC Superior Court" »