Preparing Your Case for Trial
As we begin final
preparations for your trial, it's worth remembering that this is one of
the few countireis in the world where people still have an opportunity
to have their cases l heard and decided by 12 ordinary citizens. Throughout
our history, Americans have struggled and sacrificed i to preserve this
important right.
Even though we are preparing for trial, this doesn't necessarily mean
your case will be submitted to a jury: most cases settle along the
way, and yours may still settle, too. However, because we can't count
on a settlement, we must be prepared for trial. Furthermore, if the
other side believes we are ready and willing to try the case, we have
a far better chance of getting i you a good settlement. Often, defendants
and their lawyers are simply waiting to see who will "blink"
first.
We have already spent many hours on your case, but we need your help now
to make sure everything is ready. Please review the following questions
as soon as possible and call us so we can discuss them in detail.
Have
you done everything you can to find any witnesses?
Remember,
we only get one shot to tell our side at trial. After it's over, it's too
late to think of other people who might have testified. Make a final
effort to think of anyone else we might possibly want to testify. Don't
worry if you don't know their exact names or addresses, just be sure you
tell us about them.
We need people who saw the accident or event that injured you. We also want
anyone you might have met afterwards who can talk about how it affected
you--even years later. Remember that any person we do not disclose now-even
a friend or a relative--may not be permitted to testify later at your trial.
Use this last opportunity to think of important witnesses and make sure
that we have as much information as possible to get in touch with them.
Are
there any physical items that we might want to use as exhibits at your
trial?
These
items may include souvenirs--casts, surgical hardware, photos, get-well
cards, appliance parts, etc.--or anything else which might help show the
jury what happened to you. Drawings or charts are often useful. Please
be sure you discuss with us any physical "evidence" you can
think of.
We also need up-to-the-minute information about your latest bills and any liens or claims related to your medical bills or your disability payments.
Michael R. Panter & Associates
30 N. LaSalle Street
Suite 1524
Chicago, IL 60602
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