A personal injury advertisement may connect you with a law firm, a referral service or a marketing business collecting inquiries. Before sharing sensitive information, identify who operates the advertisement and who would actually represent you. A professional-looking website alone does not answer either question.
In this video, California personal injury attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez explains why it helps to look beyond the advertisement and ask direct questions about the business receiving your call.
Ask for the actual law firm and attorney names
Start with a simple question: “Am I contacting a law firm, or a service that sends inquiries to lawyers?” Ask for the full name of the firm and the attorney who would evaluate your matter. Compare those answers with the website footer, contact page and any proposed representation agreement.
A brand name, call-center greeting or photograph of a courthouse is not a substitute for identifying the lawyer. If your inquiry will be forwarded elsewhere, ask which firm will receive it and how that next step works.
Check the lawyer independently
Use the State Bar of California attorney search to check the named attorney’s license status and available public history. Confirm that you have found the correct person, particularly when several lawyers have similar names. A license lookup is a useful starting point; it does not establish that a particular lawyer is the best fit for your case.
Understand who receives your information
Read the form’s privacy notice and consent language before submitting medical details, identification documents or other sensitive material. Ask whether your information goes to one identified law firm or may be shared with multiple businesses. Keep a copy of the advertisement and the terms you accepted.
Provide an accurate basic description when requesting a consultation, and ask how to send supporting records securely. Do not assume every marketing intake form is a confidential consultation with the attorney you hope to hire.
Referral services and marketing businesses are different
A referral arrangement is not automatically improper. California’s State Bar maintains a directory of certified lawyer referral services. A commercial lead-generation website and a certified referral service should not be assumed to be the same thing. Ask the service to identify its role so you can make an informed choice.
Clarify representation before you rely on it
Ask who will handle your case, how you can reach the attorney, and what the written fee agreement says about fees and expenses. A returned call or completed online form does not by itself confirm that a firm has agreed to represent you. Obtain clear confirmation before relying on anyone to protect a deadline.
Our office welcomes questions about how representation works. You can contact The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates directly to request a free consultation about a California injury matter.
General information, not legal advice. No specific advertiser is accused of misconduct. Every case depends on its facts. An attorney-client relationship requires an agreed engagement.
Get Help Now
Work directly with an experienced California personal injury attorney. The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates represents injured people statewide. Norman Gregory Fernandez has practiced law since 1997. Call 800-816-1529 for a free consultation or contact our office.
About Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez
