Promise Sheet

The Law Offices of Melissa J. Lyons, Inc., are here to help injured workers across California.

What the Law Offices of Melissa J. Lyons promises to you.

Honesty, Trust, and Confidentiality. We want our clients to understand our promise sheet. This is a list of what we promise you as our client. You can download the promise sheet after it is filled out.

PLEASE READ ENTIRELY - DO NOT SKIM AND RUSH TO SIGN

Honesty, Trust, Confidentiality

Initial(Required)

Client Promise

1. I will always tell the truth to my attorney. I will not hide facts from my attorney that I am afraid will damage my case or cause me embarrassment.

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Attorney Promise

I will keep your confidential facts confidential; I only need to understand all material facts in order to best represent my client.

Communication Policy

Initial(Required)

Client Promise

2. I will use e-mail, not the phone, to communicate my questions or concerns about my case. My case manager will answer routine questions and any custom legal issues will be escalated to the attorney. I understand that it may take up to 3 business days to get a reply from the case manager, and up to 7 days from the attorney.

I understand that phone calls will be returned by staff during normal business hours (8:30 am to 5pm), Monday through Friday. The attorney will not return phone calls -- remember to use e-mail. I promise to try to send in questions only one time per week, and not call and email daily.

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Attorney Promise

2. I will never intentionally ignore you or pretend to be out of the office. I manage many hundreds of cases at one time and do my best to return all messages as soon as possible.

No news is good news. We will initiate communication for any important, legally significant events in your case.

In the event you are overburdening our workload in an unreasonable manner, we will tell you so and may withdraw from representation.

Paperless Office

Initial(Required)

Client Promise

3. I agree that my file may be securely stored in electronic format. All paper related to my file will be scanned to PDF and the paper shredded. I understand that I will be provided with a full copy of my file at the end of my case on CD or DVD.

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Attorney Promise

4. I will keep your data and file safe with redundant secure back-ups that are HIPAA compliant. I will promptly provide you with your file at any time via disk or by Internet.

Complexity and Delay

Initial(Required)

Client Promise

4. I understand that workers’ compensation law is a complex process that can take a lot of time, with an average case taking two years to complete; that the needed and requested medical care is often delayed or denied by insurance companies; that disability payments are never guaranteed; I promise not to inappropriately express anger towards my attorney or his staff during times of frustration with the system.

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Attorney Promise

5. I promise to be your zealous advocate and to fight for your legal rights each step of the way. While I cannot promise or guarantee any results, I can promise you that I will do my best to fight for you rights and benefits as if it were for myself.

Financial Issues

Initial(Required)

Client Promise

5. I understand that financial difficulties may arise during my case; I have been informed that I should apply for EDD SDI as soon as possible if off work due to injury and not receiving any temporary disability payments from insurance; I will not ever ask my attorney for a loan.

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Attorney Promise

5. I promise to request a Court hearing at the earliest opportunity if your workers’ comp benefits are wrongfully withheld or denied. I will represent you at trial and attempt to get a judge to order your benefits.

Appointments and punctuality

Initial(Required)

Client Promise

6. I understand the importance of making my appointments related to this case; I understand that I will likely have many appointments with treating doctors, important appointments with neutral doctors for evaluations, case hearings with my appearance required, and probably a deposition where my appearance is required.

I promise to do my best to be on time and present to my appointments and hearings. I will return a message from the attorney within 24 hours, and understand there could be adverse legal consequences if I do not timely answer attorney’s question(s).

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Attorney Promise

6. I promise to be on time and prepare you thoroughly for your deposition; to be familiar with your file; to appear in court on time and prepared for the hearing or trial; that in the event of my temporary (or unavoidable) absence I will have an adequately trained substitute in my place to represent your interests.

Taking Ownership of Personal Responsibilities

Client Promise

8. I understand that it is my personal responsibility to be proactive in my own healthcare. Once my attorney obtains authorization to see a doctor, I will schedule my appointments and deal directly with the doctor for scheduling. I understand that is it also my responsibility to communicate with my employer (not its insurance carrier) for all return to work or off work issues. I will not ask my workers’ comp attorney to solve my employment law related problems but will instead call an employment attorney to discuss those issues.

Zealous Advocacy and Taking Action Only in Best Interest of Client

Attorney Promise

9. I promise to fight for your legal rights up to and including trial. In the event we lose at trial, I must determine if there is a legal basis for an appeal (Petition for Reconsideration or Removal). If I believe it is not in your best interest, or if an appeal would be unethical, I will not pursue the appeal. I will inform you of this in writing.

This office will not file any Petition for Writ of Review with the Court of Appeal after a Petition for Reconsideration/Removal. Client must obtain the services of an Appellate Firm if the Client desires appeal to the level of the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court of California.

Your Name(Required)

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Your Email Address(Required)

Email Address Confirm Email Address

Your Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City ZIP Code

Your Phone(Required)

Date(Required)

Signature(Required)

Thank you for the privilege of allowing us to represent you in your Workers’ Compensation matter. We understand that this is likely a stressful time for you, where you are uncertain of your future job prospects, income, and even survival. What others might perceive as just a “little workers comp case” is your livelihood and life. We hope that we may help you navigate the complex legal process of our California Workers’ Compensation system, get you the compensation you are entitled to, get you the medical care and treatment you need to cure or relieve your injury, and get you back to work as soon as possible.

Very Truly Yours,

|s| Melissa J. Lyons, Esq.

605 Santa Monica Blvd | West Hollywood, CA 90069 | E: melissa@lyonsattorney.com
P: 888-542-8868 | www.melissalyonslaw.com

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Promise Sheet

What the Law Offices of Melissa J. Lyons promises to you.

PLEASE READ ENTIRELY - DO NOT SKIM AND RUSH TO SIGN

Honesty, Trust, Confidentiality

Communication Policy

Paperless Office

Complexity and Delay

Financial Issues

Appointments and punctuality

Taking Ownership of Personal Responsibilities

Zealous Advocacy and Taking Action Only in Best Interest of Client

Services

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