Frequently Asked Questions
About Chaffin Luhana & Getting Started
1. Why Should You Choose Chaffin Luhana?
Chaffin Luhana is a well-established plaintiffs-only law firm with a strong track record of success and a focus on exceptional client care. We are committed to Doing Good by Doing Right™. We pride ourselves in providing clients with high-quality and experienced representation designed to achieve each client’s specific goals and needs. You can read more about our attorneys, court appointments, client testimonials, and case results throughout this website.
2. Where Do You Have Office Locations?
We have offices in:
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Weirton, WV
- New York City, NY
- Hartford, CT
- Bridgeport, CT
- Stamford, CT
- New Haven, CT
3. What Should I Expect When I Hire Chaffin Luhana?
When you hire Chaffin Luhana, you can expect a dedicated team of experienced attorneys committed to fighting for your rights and achieving justice. We prioritize client care, explain your options in clear language, and provide personalized attention throughout the legal process so you always know what is happening with your case.
4. What Makes Chaffin Luhana Different?
We distinguish ourselves from other personal injury firms by our unwavering commitment to client care and our track record of significant victories. We prioritize building strong relationships with clients, providing personalized attention, and keeping you informed throughout the legal process.
5. What If I Have Questions During the Case?
Call or text us anytime. We want you to feel informed and supported throughout your case, and our team is available to answer questions and address concerns as they come up.
6. What Does “Doing Good By Doing Right™” Mean?
“Doing Good by Doing Right™” is our guiding principle. It means we strive to achieve positive outcomes for our clients as well as our community. We aim to handle every case with integrity and to make a meaningful difference beyond the courtroom.
7. Do You Handle Cases for Clients in My State?
Yes. We consider ourselves a national law firm that represents plaintiffs in mass tort, securities, and whistleblower cases in federal and state courts across the country.
We have attorneys admitted to the full-time practice of law in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, and we are regularly admitted to practice on individual matters in other courts. When necessary, we engage local counsel at our own expense to comply with state ethical rules. In short, our clients live all over the country—no matter where you reside, we can help you with your case.
Understanding Your Case & Costs
1. Will My Case Be Settled or Go to Court?
Whether a personal injury case settles or goes to trial depends on several factors, including the severity of the injuries, the strength of the evidence, the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate, and the parties’ willingness to compromise. Many cases settle before trial, but we prepare each case as if it may go to court so we are ready to fight for you if needed.
2. What Will It Cost for Chaffin Luhana to Evaluate My Potential Case?
You will not pay anything for our attorneys to evaluate and review your potential case, and you will never pay anything upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis. If we are successful, we recover our attorneys’ fees and our costs from the recovery. We always try to keep those costs to a minimum for our clients.
3. Should I Wait Before Speaking to an Attorney?
Absolutely not. You should seek immediate treatment and follow your doctor’s instructions. Every state has what is called a statute of limitations, which means you have a limited amount of time to file your case. Each state is different, and there can even be differences between different types of cases. Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible helps protect your rights.
4. How Much Is My Case Worth?
Each case is different. The amount recovered depends on a number of case-specific factors. We typically will not be able to provide you with a range of values for your case until we understand your accident and how your injuries have affected you in the past and how they are likely to affect you in the future.
5. How Much Does a Case Cost?
At Chaffin Luhana, there is no fee to evaluate your case. We work on a contingency fee basis in almost all of our cases, with a few exceptions. In most instances, we only recover our fees and costs if we’re able to recover money for you.
6. How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Case?
There is no standard timetable for any case. However, we have learned that when more work is done at the beginning of a case, it often speeds up the process toward the end. This is why we immediately begin investigating the facts of your case and working toward an eventual resolution.
7. How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Every state has specific rules regarding how long you have to file a claim—this is called the statute of limitations. You have a certain limited amount of time to file your case, and every state is different. It’s important to keep in mind that the sooner our firm is able to help you, the higher the likelihood of success. Early preservation of evidence—such as video of the incident or other proof—can be compromised or completely lost the longer you wait.
Types of Injury Cases, Medical Care & Insurance
1. What Should I Do If Injured in a Trucking Accident?
If you’re injured in a trucking accident, prioritize your health by seeking immediate medical attention. Document the accident by taking photos of the scene, vehicles, and your injuries if you are able. Report the accident to the police and obtain a copy of the police report. Finally, consult with an experienced Chaffin Luhana personal injury attorney who specializes in trucking accidents.
2. What Should I Do If I Am Injured at Work?
If you’re injured on the job, the most important first steps are to report it to your employer and contact an attorney. Prompt reporting and legal guidance help protect your rights and preserve your claim.
3. What Is the Difference Between a Mass Tort and a Class Action?
Both a class action and a mass tort are types of personal injury claims that involve large groups of plaintiffs who have similar claims against the same defendant.
In a class action, one or more class representatives file a lawsuit and represent the claims of all other individuals who are similarly situated. If a settlement is reached, all individuals generally receive an equal or similar settlement, even if their injuries are not equal.
In a mass tort, many individual actions are filed against the defendant or defendants. Each plaintiff’s injuries and damages are evaluated more individually, and outcomes can vary from person to person even though the claims involve similar wrongdoing.
4. What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of property owners or occupiers to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. If someone is injured on someone else’s property due to a hazardous condition that the property owner knew about or should have known about, the injured person may be able to file a premises liability lawsuit to recover damages for their injuries.
5. I Have Limited Tort on My Insurance, Can You Still Help Me?
Yes. There are exceptions to the rules with Limited Tort. Our firm is very knowledgeable and experienced and has helped many clients who have Limited Tort on their policy. This is not the end of the road—we have been very successful in overcoming the hurdles associated with Limited Tort.
6. How Should I Respond If I Am Getting Calls from the At-Fault Insurance Company Regarding My Injuries and Treatment?
Do not disclose anything regarding your treatment and injuries. Once you have officially retained our firm for your personal injury claim, we will put the insurance company on notice and those calls will stop. As your law firm, we will handle answering any insurance company calls related to your care and treatment. We want to control what information they receive and, most importantly, we want you to be able to focus on your recovery without being bothered by constant calls.