Job Description for a Personal Injury Paralegal
A paralegal takes on many responsibilities in a personal injury law office. His duties should be performed with the utmost diligence. Many of the tasks he does reflect directly upon the reputation and standing of his supervising lawyer. If a paralegal does his job poorly, he could cause a client to lose a case.
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Interviewing
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A paralegal interviews clients, witnesses, doctors and police officers. She may also meet with potential clients and assess whether or not her law office would be interested in the case.
Gathering Reports and Records
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A paralegal gathers many reports and records. These may include medical records, police reports, prior court filings or any kind of documents that can strengthen a case.
Creating and Filing Documents
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A paralegal creates record requests, letters, court filings, lawyer notes, and client communications. He may also be required to take legal documents to the courthouse to be officially registered or filed.
Other Duties
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Depending upon the size of the law office she works in, a paralegal can also be a receptionist, personal assistant, book keeper or legal researcher. Smaller offices usually include these kinds of duties.
Education
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The accepted standard for paralegal education is the Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal exam, commonly called the CLA exam. There are very specific requirements to be eligible to sit for the exam and only 40 percent of people pass it on their first try. Although this is the only way a paralegal can have the "Certified" title, many law offices do not require certification when hiring a paralegal.
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Comments
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expertparalegal
Nov 22, 2009
A well-trained and experienced paralegal not only gathers medical records, but reviews and summarizes them in order to identify missing records and create a factual time line, help obtain additional opinions which may be needed from treating physicians, and even suggest treatment options which may need to be explored for seriously injured clients, such as second opinions. As the person most familiar with the client's medical records, the paralegal may be the one responsible for educating the attorney prior to depositions and trial, working with medical experts, preparing the medical record exhibits, and drafting opinion letters to doctors. Also, an experienced personal injury paralegal can prepare an itemization of medical specials and other damages; work up a preliminary valuation of the case for the attorney's review; and draft the demand letter to the liability carrier. Lynne J...
