There’s no better way to start a career in law than becoming a paralegal. However, the roles and responsibilities that paralegals assume can be complicated, especially if you’re working for a firm that’s focused on personal injury cases. There’s always a high demand for personal injury attorneys, as the majority of legal claims involve personal injury.
From the usual car collision to more complex cases such as asbestos exposure and medical malpractice, personal injury law firms are always busy. This would explain that there’s a consistently strong need for paralegals. If you’re planning to work for a reputable firm in this fast-paced field, then it pays to be prepared. Here’s what to expect as you dive in.
1. Medical Knowledge Is Essential
In the field of personal injury litigation, your technical knowledge about establishing liability should also come with sufficient medical knowledge. After all, personal injury lawyers will need to work closely with medical professionals to prove causation and calculate potential damages, so expect to conduct extensive research on topics such as analyzing lacerations and bruises.
You may not possess a medical background, but it could be a major advantage, considering that your knowledge of physiology can help you conduct accurate research on behalf of the attorneys you’re helping. If you’re not well-versed in medicine, you can always do some independent reading on physiology and case law, on top of watching educational videos on forensics.
2. Be Adaptable with New Technology
Law firms and independent practitioners are becoming more aware of the value of using new technology to enhance their practice. The capacity to use new tools is impossible to ignore as a paralegal, since in the field of personal injury, you will be swamped with too much paperwork. Being unfamiliar with new tools could slow you down and cause you to commit costly mistakes.
As a paralegal, it’s a huge benefit if you have a strong background in using project management tools that cater exclusively to law firms. Depending on the firm you’re working for, you may be required to use tools like Clio and other case management platforms for assigning and tracking tasks as well as organizing cases. Even more crucial is your ability to adapt to new tools that can help save time without compromising professional and ethical boundaries.
3. Hone Your Critical and Problem-Solving Skills
Handling personal injury cases isn’t just a matter of proving whether one party is at fault or not. You’re committed to the truth regardless of who you’re defending or prosecuting. As a paralegal, your presence is valuable not just to the efficiency of the firm, but also its reputation. This is why being detail-oriented is a valuable skill. You need this to solve complex problems and ensure that the firm avoids committing fatal mistakes that could jeopardize a client’s chance at a fair outcome.
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Once you start working as a paralegal at a personal injury law firm, expect to be on your own in dealing with even the most technical tasks. In most cases, you will be left to handle problems you haven’t even prepared for. Be proactive when it comes to solving complex problems with minimal supervision. You get to learn along the way and gather enough experience that you can use to survive the first few years of your law practice.
4. You Will Be Handling Specialized Cases
Personal injury law is a broad field, and not all firms can handle cases that require specialized knowledge. The factors affecting slip and fall accidents are far different if these same accidents happen on a cruise ship. In that case, victims should reach out to a cruise ship injury firm that tells them to “contact us today” for advice on what legal action to take. For paralegals, such differences can be confusing. This leads to a greater risk of errors that will cost clients dearly.
You need to make sure you understand the niche that the firm is focusing on. The best way to do that is to consult with the firm’s senior partners and find online and offline resources that touch on what makes the area different from seemingly related niches. Eventually, you could use this body of knowledge to enrich your law practice if you’re planning to work in the same area.
5. Client Care and Networking are Paramount to Growth
Paralegals are not directly involved in clients’ cases, but they can contribute to making a good first impression. For the most part, paralegals are tasked to serve as receptionists who can schedule initial consultations. The way you handle a client during their first contact will determine whether your firm gets to handle their case. Lacking effective listening skills and empathy will turn them off.
Along with client care, you should also be aware of the importance of networking to the firm’s overall success. In some cases, senior partners may ask if you could go with them to conferences or other events where they connect with other practitioners. Not only will you acquire more knowledge about the field, but these events can also provide opportunities to connect with potential mentors and partners who can support your law practice’s future growth.
Endnote
Your work as a paralegal can be highly dynamic and hectic. Now that you know what to expect in the field, you can have a better chance at overcoming the challenges that come your way.