PI Issue-Spotter for Non-PI Lawyers
A practical first-pass checklist for the lawyer whose client mentions an injury matter outside the lawyer's ordinary practice.
1. Find the clock
- Incident date and location
- Known limitations period or special notice requirement
- Governmental entity, minor, estate, or other status that may alter procedure
- Any pending hearing, settlement, bankruptcy, divorce, probate, or workers' compensation matter that could affect the claim
2. Preserve what may disappear
- Vehicles, products, premises conditions, surveillance video, dash/body camera, photographs
- Electronic data, commercial-vehicle records, telematics, phone data, social-media evidence
- Witness names and contact information
- Documents already in the client's possession
3. Identify every potential claim and party
- Driver, employer, owner, contractor, premises owner/operator, product manufacturer, maintenance provider, insurer, governmental entity, or other third party
- UM/UIM or other applicable coverage
- Wrongful-death, survival, consortium, derivative, or estate-related issues
- Third-party claims alongside workers' compensation or other benefits
4. Understand the damages picture
- Injuries, treatment, prognosis, lost income, future care, permanent impairment
- Medical liens, health insurance, Medicare/Medicaid, workers' compensation, subrogation
- Death, incapacity, minors, dependents, or estate administration
5. Ask whether the case needs more resources
- Specialized experts or rapid investigation
- Substantial case expenses
- High-volume discovery or electronic evidence
- Subject-matter experience outside the firm's regular lane
- Mississippi or Alabama local counsel
- Additional trial staffing or co-counsel
6. Before sending sensitive material
Start with the minimum information needed for a conflict check. Do not send Social Security numbers, full medical records, or unnecessary confidential material through ordinary email before conflicts are checked and a secure transfer method is established.
7. What to tell the receiving lawyer
Be ready to provide the incident date, venue, parties, posture, major injuries, insurance information, known deadlines, and what kind of help you want: preliminary consultation, full handoff, co-counsel, local counsel, funding/resources, or trial support.
Important: This checklist is a general educational issue-spotter, not legal advice and not a substitute for researching the current law, rules, deadlines, and ethical obligations applicable to a particular matter or jurisdiction.