If you’re a victim of a Florida crime, the aftereffects can be devastating. Hiring competent legal counsel is the best move you can make to protect your rights and interests and secure the compensation you deserve for physical injury, property damage, and/or monetary loss associated with a Florida crime. But what should you know when hiring and working with a Florida crime victim attorney?

First, a Florida crime victim attorney can be hard to find. That’s because the state of Florida prohibits Florida lawyers from claiming that they are experts or specialists in the field of crime victims. In addition, many attorneys find taking on crime victims’ cases too risky. It can take months and cost a significant amount of money to investigate a crime and determine whether it is likely to prevail at trial. However, there are experienced and sympathetic Florida crime victim lawyers who can help evaluate and investigate your case and preserve your rights in court.

Usually, Florida crime victim attorneys work on a contingency basis. They will usually use the contingency fee agreement sanctioned by the Florida bar, which provides limits on what an attorney can charge in civil cases. The numbers vary depending on type of case and whether settlement is reached, so check with a potential attorney about payment arrangements before signing any paperwork or entering into an agreement. Usually, a Florida crime victim lawyer will not charge their client if they fail to recover any damages for the victim or their family. They assume the often substantial financial risk involved in crime victims’ cases, which are often costly, lengthy and complex.

Once you have found an experienced Florida crime victim lawyer, he or she will begin the legal process. They will find out if a criminal prosecution is expected and may obtain a stay in the civil trial that allows them to pause the statute of limitations (the time limit within which a claim must be filed or be forever barred) while criminal proceedings and an investigation take place. Often, a crime victim attorney can refer his or her client to competent medical care and get them access to mental health care, counselors, or other professionals.

A good Florida crime victim attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of the criminal case. This may involve gathering police records and 911 tapes, sending out public records requests or subpoenaing documents, and trying to build a case that will help the victim obtain the compensation they deserve.

Because the process is lengthy and complex, it’s essential to get a crime victim attorney who cares and is good at what they do. The statute of limitations begins running as soon as the crime is committed, so it is essential to seek a Florida crime victim lawyer as soon as possible after the crime.