Frequently Asked Questions

Any type of legal action, especially involving litigation, has complex steps and strategies which require a skilled and experienced legal team to accomplish the best possible successful outcome, whether it be in negotiation or in a court room setting. At Sarkisian Law Offices we are experienced personal injury attorneys who know that any personal injury or accident leads to many questions.  In order to assist you in answering some common questions you might have, we offer you the information below:

1.  I have been injured or my family member has been killed as the result of the negligence of another.  How do I select an attorney to help?

The selection of an attorney to help you with your claim is an important decision.  It can also be challenging because there are many attorneys practicing in Northwest Indiana. We recommend that you don't just rely on TV commercials, ads in telephone books or   billboard advertising.  Word of mouth from previous clients, family and friends can often be an option for you. 

When deciding which firm you would like to represent you, you should also focus on whether you are comfortable with the law firm and the attorneys who will be representing you.  If you make an appointment to see us, there will be no high pressure sales tactics used to try to get you to retain us.  In fact, we tell every person in their initial consultation with us that we only want them to retain us if they feel we are the right people to help them with their case.

As you will see from our website, we are experienced injury attorneys.  Our attorneys have focused on catastrophic injury and death cases and have been practicing for over 25 years.  We use a team approach so that we are able to use the assets of each attorney when working on your case and want to help you through the process so that your claim can be resolved as effectively and efficiently as possible.

On medical issues, people often seek second opinions.  We urge you to do likewise when selecting a lawyer.  When trying to decide on lawyers to represent you, if you are uncertain as to whether a lawyer you have seen is the right one for you, please call us for that second opinion.  There is never a fee for an initial consultation.

2.  What type of cases does Sarkisian Law Offices handle?

We represent people who have been seriously injured or have had a family member killed due to the negligence of another.  We handle cases involving injuries caused by accidents in cars, trucks and motorcycles; accidents at work in steel mills, other factories or on construction sites; and accidents caused by using machines or other heavy equipment, to name a few. 

Remember that the causes of an injury are not always obvious and it may take a consulting expert to identify the party responsible for your injuries.  This is especially true when you have experienced a workplace injury. 

Finally, keep in mind that the laws of the State of Indiana limits the amount of time you have to hire an attorney and bring a claim to recover money damages for your injuries or the death of a loved one.  Therefore, it is important that you contact an attorney if you think you may have a claim. 

3.  Where do you practice?

Our experienced and professional team of lawyers at Sarkisian Law Offices began serving the Northwest Indiana area in 1981 and today we serve Merrillville, Valparaiso, Crown Point, Gary, Portage, Schererville, Dyer, Hobart, Lake Station, St. John, Cedar Lake, Lowell, Hammond, East Chicago (Indiana), Whiting, Munster, and other communities in Lake County, Porter County and La Porte County as well as Chicago and Cook County, Illinois.  

4.  What types of damages can I recover/How much is my case worth?

If you or a family member was injured due to the negligence of another, you may be entitled to past, present and future medical expenses; lost wages or future economic losses; the pain and suffering you have experienced; your loss of enjoyment of life; any scarring or disfigurement related to your injuries; any related damages to your personal property; and, other damages which may be unique to your claim.  Determining the monetary value of your claim is a complex matter which will require a thorough evaluation that can be performed only after discovering and reviewing all the facts.  We can review your claim and analyze the important information about your case so that your claim may be resolved for its full value.

5.  I have spoken to an insurance company and their representative says I don't need a lawyer to represent me.  Do I really need an attorney?

An attorney is not required in every case.  There are some minor accident and injury cases that a person may be able to resolve without the use of an attorney.  However, as the injuries become more serious, or in death cases, it is prudent to consult with an attorney so that you know what your rights are.  We recommend that you do not sign any release or allow the insurance company representative to take your statement immediately after the accident. 

Remember that insurance companies have a primary purpose, which is to earn a profit. The less that they pay in claims, the more money they will make from the premiums that they are paid by their insureds.  Quite often, before offering you money to resolve your claim, insurance companies will consult with their in-house counsel to determine what they should do about your claim.  Frequently, they will offer you far less than your damages are.  The insurance company is going to do what is best for their company, not what is best for you. 

Since Sarkisian Law Offices has a policy of providing free initial consultations, you may wish to consult with our office to determine whether you need an attorney in your case.  We promise to give you a full and fair evaluation on that issue.

6.  How should I expect my attorney to be paid?

Our policy of allowing free initial consultations results in you being able to consult with our office at no cost to you.  If you decide to retain Sarkisian Law Offices to represent you in your case, we are paid on a contingent fee basis, that is, we are only paid attorney fees if we obtain a recovery for you.

Contact one of our Northwest Indiana personal injury lawyers from Sarkisian Law Offices to answer any questions you may have regarding your personal injury claim.