During your first contact with Michael F. Wilkes, P.A., you may first speak with a legal assistant who will obtain brief background information about you and your case.

Office Conference

An office conference with Attorney Wilkes may then be scheduled to personally discuss the facts and circumstances of your case. You will be asked to fill out a Client Information Sheet with basic information such as names of the various parties, insurance and other information which will help us follow-up and investigate your case. The attorney will discuss your legal rights and the merits of your case, including liability and damages. He will recommend whether the matter should be pursued and discuss the elements of damages you may recover in your case.

In a personal injury case, you may be entitled to economic damages including past and future medical bills, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity, and non-economic damages including pain and suffering. In a workers’ compensation case, you may be entitled to medical and temporary/total indemnity benefits or vocational retraining.

The attorney will also discuss his qualifications and experience. He will discuss the employment contract which establishes both the attorney’s fee and costs and the attorney’s authority to represent you in this matter.

Decision to Retain

If you decide to hire our firm and sign a Retainer Agreement and Statement of Client’s Rights, you will also sign forms including medical and employment authorizations to allow us to gather information necessary to properly prepare your case.

The attorney will discuss in general the steps and approximate time sequence that will be followed in organizing and developing your case. He will explain the proceedings leading to settlement and, if necessary, trial of your case.

You should leave this initial conference with complete assurance that your case is in competent and trustworthy hands. At Michael F. Wilkes, P.A., we are accessible, knowledgeable and experienced.