Frequently Asked Questions: General Questions

General Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

You don’t need to know what kind of lawyer you need — or even whether you have a legal claim — before contacting Weir Bowen. If something has happened and you are unsure what to do next, these frequently asked questions are a place to start. Learn what happens when you first contact a lawyer, what information may be helpful, why legal deadlines matter, how fees may work and how Weir Bowen can help you understand your options.

1. I’m not sure if I need a lawyer. Where do I start?

Start by telling us what happened.

You don’t need to know what area of law your situation falls into, whether you have a claim, or even exactly what questions you should be asking. That’s part of what the first conversation is for.

We can listen to what happened, ask some questions and help determine whether your situation is something our lawyers can assist with. If you’re unsure, it’s better to ask than to assume you don’t have a case.

2. How do I know if Weir Bowen is the right firm for my situation?

You don’t need to figure that out before contacting us.

Weir Bowen handles a range of complex legal matters, and sometimes it isn’t immediately obvious which area of law applies to a particular situation. Our team can ask the questions we need to better understand what happened and determine whether one of our lawyers may be able to help.

The important thing is to start the conversation.

3. What happens when I contact Weir Bowen for the first time?

When you contact our office, our team will gather some initial information about you and what happened so your inquiry can be directed to the right people.

Depending on your situation, we may need to ask questions about when something happened, who was involved, what harm or losses resulted and what information or documents may be available.

You don’t need to prepare a legal argument. Just tell us your story. We’ll help with the questions.

4. What information should I have ready when I call?

Whatever you have is a good place to start.

It can be helpful to know important dates, the names of the people or organizations involved, what happened and how it has affected you. Depending on the situation, documents, photographs, medical information, correspondence or information about witnesses may also eventually be helpful.

But don’t delay contacting us because you’re trying to assemble the perfect file. Some information can be gathered later.

5. What if I don’t have all the documents or information yet?

That’s okay.

Many people who contact us don’t have all the answers when they first call. In some cases, determining what information is missing — and how to obtain it — is part of the work that needs to be done.

There can also be good reasons to contact a lawyer early. Evidence can disappear, memories can fade and records may need to be obtained. You don’t need to have everything in hand before starting the conversation.

6. How much does it cost to talk to a lawyer about my situation?

There is no charge for your first contact with Weir Bowen.

That first conversation gives us an opportunity to learn a little about what happened and determine whether your situation is something our lawyers may be able to help with.

If we determine that we can assist you, we’ll explain what happens next and any fee arrangement that may apply. For personal injury claims that are appropriate to pursue, we generally work under a Contingency Fee Agreement, which means our legal fees are based on a percentage of what we ultimately recover for you.

So if you’re unsure whether you have a case, cost shouldn’t stop you from making that first call.

7. Is there a deadline for contacting a lawyer?

There can be important legal deadlines, which is one reason we encourage people to contact a lawyer sooner rather than later.

For example, in Alberta the general limitation period for many claims is two years from when you knew, or ought to have known, that someone caused you injury. But there are exceptions, and determining when a limitation period begins can be complicated.

Some situations can have much shorter notice requirements. You should not assume that a particular deadline applies to your situation — or that you are too late.

If you think you may have a legal claim, getting advice early can help you understand what deadlines may apply and what steps you may need to take.

A note about this information: These FAQ's provide general information only and are not legal advice. Every situation is different, and the law may apply differently depending on the circumstances. Legal deadlines apply, so you should not rely on this information to determine a limitation period or other deadline. If you have questions about your particular situation, we encourage you to reach out to us.