Bert Re...<<<<<<<<I don't want to sound like a mother-in-law but part of the problem in the US is that most lawyers work on a commission base, which is strictly forbidden by us in Belgium.
that way, the decision to go to court is not so easy, because it will cost you more. >>>>>>
Bert, I hate to sound like broken record here, but what we need is for the lawyers to follow the law; just like the rest of us have to. When I give out a contract, I have to give estimate of cost, when project will start, how long job will take, what you will get when job completed; etc. A lawyer will give you none of these; and if people really knew the costs related to case;lawyer fees, expert witnesses etc., they wouldn't be filing. The legal defense is that they have no idea exactly how long a case will take or its cost. True but neither do I, and I am liable if I don't give accurate estimate of costs. A written contract with a reasonable expectation of costs and outcome should be mandatory. And I would like to see judges specialize in certain types of lawsuits; as well as have a neutral expert hired by both sides in most cases, which can eliminate competing witnesses. For instance a judge could specialize in construction law; eventually he should have a good idea of whats being done; and whats right. Then, when an expert is lying, the judge will know it. If the judge doesn't know the basics, have a neutral expert; hired by both sides, but paid for according to percentage of case you lost. If you sue for $10000 but only get 1000, then you owe 90% of court costs + 90% of defendants legal costs. He would have to pay 10%. Paying lawyers on a comission basis should be mandatory, then if a case is worthless,lawyer should tell you or risk getting pd. nothing.. That would eliminate most of the crazy lawsuits, and force lawyers to be more reasonable. |
