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GERMANDid you sustain personal injuries while in the United States?
By Michael R. Jackson, Shareholder – Urban Thier Federer & Jackson, P.A.
Often German, Swiss, and Austrian tourists, business people, or other individuals residing temporarily in or travelling through the United States come to us with stories of the personal injuries that they sustained in this country with no real understanding as to how they can seek redress for their injuries and pursue a legal claim in the United States. In many instances they have tried to speak with American attorneys, who because of the language or cultural barrier simply were not able to meet and/or address these peoples’ needs. Many find their way to our firm and are thankful for their good fortune because, having been raised in Kiel with the German language, that hurdle is nonexistent as I speak with and assist countless German-speaking individuals in need of representation.
When it comes to personal injuries, this firm most often takes on such matters on a contingency basis, meaning that you, as the client, have no fee to pay unless a favorable result is obtained. The ultimate fee is contractually regulated, and, again, only applies where we obtain a favorable result for you. Importantly, this firm does not limit itself to the handling of cases only in the state of Florida. In fact, our attorneys are licensed in multiple states throughout the country, and, even if your case involves a state in which we are not licensed, we have a vast network of attorneys we can turn to in those states who are more than competent to work with us in handling your matter. In those instances where we need to involve another firm, we always remain engaged in the case, as we continue to work on the matter directly with and for you. Again, we understand that it is important to you to be able to effectively communicate with your attorney, and, therefore, we stay actively involved until the very conclusion of your legal matter. In those instances, such involvement of another firm in no way changes your fee arrangement, i.e., it costs you nothing extra. Thus, in those cases you will have two firms working on your matter with no added cost to you, and you still have the benefit of having an attorney who can speak with you with native German fluency about the status and course of your case.
Such involvement is critical for multiple reasons. We have found that most American attorneys have no familiarity with the German, Swiss, or Austrian health care system, and are completely unequipped to obtain critical documentation to support a claim for damages in the United States. When it comes to speaking with German-speaking witnesses to obtain factual information or to request their cooperation in obtaining their testimony, such individuals often tend to be suspicious when dealing with English speaking attorneys and their staff. Conversely, because of our German-speaking staff and attorneys, we have experienced much success in obtaining the cooperation of individuals in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria who have critical information and documentation needed to support a claim for damages in the United States. Our German-speaking attorneys and staff have provided a level of comfort not only for our clients but those third parties entirely unfamiliar with the American litigation process.
In a recent litigation matter, I travelled to the Düsseldorf area for a week’s worth of depositions of health care professionals, friends, and family of our two German clients. All other attorneys involved in the matter were American. The translator, a German professor and someone who came highly recommended, made repeated errors throughout several key depositions with respect to his translations of the questions and the testimony of the witnesses. Repeatedly, I was forced to interject corrections with respect to these errors. The American-speaking attorneys were entirely oblivious to these errors, and key testimony would have been lost entirely in a case involving significant injuries. Ultimately, it was my familiarity with the German language that allowed all of the critical facts to come out and be made part of the record. Absent this skill set, these clients could not have attained the just result that was ultimately obtained on their behalf.
It is not just individuals who turn to us for assistance. A leading German insurance company has assigned representation of multiple German clients under their Rechtsschutzversicherung policy to our firm relative to injuries sustained by these German nationals while travelling in the United States. Much success has been achieved in the representation of these individuals throughout the country. It is important for policy holders to understand that often their initial claim to their insurance company is denied in light of the injuries occurring out of the country. However, in many instances, such a denial is improper, and this firm may be able to obtain coverage from your insurer for the injuries that you sustained.
Presently, this firm is involved in cases throughout the country either directly or in a coordinated fashion with other leading firms to provide the best possible representation to our clients. Our knowledge of the legal system, coupled with our intimate understanding of the German language and culture, allows us to provide a level of service to our German-speaking clients that is, in most instances, simply too difficult for the typical American law firm to duplicate.
Other law firms throughout the country have turned to Urban, Thier, Federer & Jackson, PA with respect to issues involving German nationals because of our standing in the community along with our knowledge and understanding of the language and issues. In several instances, we have assisted such firms in, for example, matters involving the Hague Convention and service abroad in personal injury matters. We remain open to any inquiry from firms and German individuals in need of our services.
We also handle many other forms of litigation for German-speaking individuals and companies besides personal injury matters. Often, though, those are handled on an hourly basis. Our litigation team has been able to effectively handle a variety of matters for our German-speaking clients, and is always ready to discuss with you how to meet your individualized legal needs. In light of our German office in Munich, we also offer clients from around the world representation in Germany with the same vigor and professionalism as we do in this country.
Regardless of your needs, feel free to contact me to further the details of your case.
This website provides general information only. Please note that we do not represent you and can not take any action on your behalf unless and until we enter into a formal written Legal Representation Agreement. If we do not respond to your inquiry or are unable to take your case, please contact another Florida law firm immediately to have your case assessed.
Filed under the Catastrophic Personal Injury and Wrongful Death category.