By: James M. Brown, Esq.
The various health charities are a great potential source of referrals for attorneys. Pay attention to them. Consider all of them, Arthritis, MS, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue, Brain Injury, etc.
Send your press releases to them even though you do not expect them to get published. Your name can be kept in the resource folder for people who call. People with pre-existing conditions are always treated unfairly by insurance adjusters and Worker’s Compensation boards. You can become known as the voice they can turn to for representation. Write the articles for their newsletters and give speeches at their forums.
You settle a rear end collision for $50,000 for a plaintiff with pre-existing arthritis. Every PI attorney has had a case like this, disbursed the money and closed the file. Change your ways. Send a press release to the Arthritis Foundation about this case. It is not necessary to mention your clients name. Do discuss some pertinent facts about the case. Mention that the adjuster told the plaintiff the case was not worth much because of his pre-existing condition. Explain briefly how you developed the case, prove that your client was worse because of the injury and then add a quote. Even if it isn’t published, the next person to call the organization upset about the way an adjuster spoke to them may be given your telephone number.
If you have won a Social Security case for someone 55 years old with two years of past due benefits the press release should indicate that the claimant will, from the onset of disability to the date of retirement, receive about $155,000 in disability benefits plus Medicare benefits. Add a quote about the problems the claimant had until they retained you to represent them or the problems people with chronic diseases have proving that their conditions have progressed to the point where they are no longer able to work.
Worker’s Compensation lawyer’s press releases depend upon the burden of the state. Some require an aggravation while some require a substantial aggravation. Create a release describing the difficulty the claimant had proving the case and the assistance only your firm was able to provide.
These press releases are a first step in becoming known to the health charity as the “go-to” person when someone calls who needs representation. Considering the cost of each new client from advertising this is extremely cost-effective.
Each charity have support groups. These are all groups where people get together to discuss their condition, ways to cope and issues of common importance. Offer to speak at the support group on your area of expertise. Include a few comments about the ineffectiveness of the Americans With Disability act. Discuss the problems getting health insurance, selecting an attorney and other areas you are comfortable discussing.
After you become known throughout the organization, ask to speak at one of the public forums. Most health charities have one every year to two years. The speakers are usually physicians, therapists and other health related professionals. Your speech will provide a different perspective to the agenda. Have brochures to pass out.
The issues are similar in each health organization. You need only modify your remarks to the specific disease you are presenting to.
Finally, write an article for their newsletter. If you are a personal injury attorney discuss the various liability and pre-existing condition laws of your state. If your practice is Social Security disability write about signing up, the proof needed and the advantage of being represented. Worker’s Compensation attorneys need to write about the pre-existing condition regulations as well as definitions of accidental injury and occupational disease. It is important to be identified as an attorney with a practice in the area you are writing about.
I frankly don’t think you get much marketing value for a contingency practice out of sponsoring a fundraiser. That doesn’t mean don’t do it. It just means don’t expect a great return on your investment. It is wonderful to do for social reasons. For a return on your investment you are better off sponsoring the newsletter or a forum.
About the Author:
James Mitchell Brown, Esq. is the nation’s leading consultant for contingency fee law firms. He consults on marketing plans; crisis management; business plans; office efficiency; buying and selling practices; retirement planning and most other issues regarding a practice. He can be reached at jim@attorneyconsultants.com
Attorneys – Check it Out!! LET STEVEN HEISLER, “THE INJURY LAWYER”, AND THE LAW OFFICES OF STEVEN H. HEISLER BE YOUR GO TO INJURY ATTORNEYS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. If you have a client who has been in an accident, job injury, or any other type of injury in Maryland, don’t hesitate to call or email Steve personally to discuss. Steve has received referrals from numerous attorneys throughout the United States and will gladly provide references. sheisler@injurylawyermd.com410-625-4878 (HURT)877-228-4878 (HURT)www.theinjurylawyermd.comCell- 443-854-2471
Quick TipMarketing to Health CharitiesBy: James M. Brown, Esq
- Create a list of all the health charities in your market.
- Find out how often their newsletter is published.
- Contact the person in charge of social services to let them know you are available to answer questions in your area of law.
- Advise them that you are available if they need a speaker.
That’s it for this week. I’ll have a brand new issue for you this time next week. Also, if you have any questions or comments about the content in this newsletter please email me at sheisler@injurylawyermd.com ~SHH
