It is no secret that the times that we are living in are changing drastically with the ongoing spread of the coronavirus. As a community we have had to change and adapt to fit these new circumstances. On March 24, 2020, Governor Baker’s emergency order went into effect, closing all nonessential businesses to its employees, customers, and the public. For essential businesses, such as law offices, we have been encouraged to shelter in place, and practice social distancing. In compliance with these recommendations, many on the work force have now had to make the transition from working in the office to working remotely.
But despite the seeming halt that COVID-19 has put on the nation and on our state, the legal process is not one that can be halted completely. With that in mind the law firm Burns & Jain has continued to work diligently on our client’s cases. Our paralegals continue to work tirelessly on ongoing and prospective clients’ legal concerns…but remotely, from home!
What Does a Personal Injury Paralegal’s Day Look Like During the Coronavirus?
Transitioning to working on a mostly remote basis requires organization and coordination. Part of a paralegal’s role in this process is meeting with the staff, dividing up computers to be taken home and assisting in the assignment of roles. A paralegal ensures that roles are distinctly divided to avoid unnecessary confusion or disorganization. In addition, a paralegal continues maintaining tasks, deadlines, and litigation agendas with attorneys working remotely.
Law offices across the Commonwealth are making the most use out of technology, and now, more than ever, it is vital to use that technology to keep in touch with clients. A paralegal ensures that computers are set up with the ability to video conference with clients and other members of the law firm. One of many benefits to smart phones is the ability to continue to use the office phone number, even from cell phones at home. This ensures that clients may easily access the paralegals and attorneys via phone and maintains the professionality a client expects from their lawyer.
Communication is vital to a busy law firm, and it comes in many forms. In addition to answering and directing incoming calls from insurance companies, opposing counsel, clients, and prospective clients, a paralegal also keeps up with and responds to incoming emails. All correspondence is addressed and directed to the attorney handling the case. As long as the United States Postal Service continues delivering mail, the paralegal is also responsible for incoming postal mail. As mail is received the paralegal must assist in moving cases forward by updating the lawyers on case developments, upcoming court dates, and case deadlines.
Included among the incoming mail are medical records for ongoing personal injury cases. The paralegal working on those cases continues to work on summarizing treatment, checking in with clients regarding their medical progress and ongoing treatment, as well as drafting demand letters to insurance companies.
When the pandemic ends, the last thing a client needs is that their case was unnecessarily stalled because it sat in a filing cabinet when the physical office closed. A paralegal’s responsibility is to work with the attorneys to keep our client’s cases progressing. Deadlines are temporarily tolled due to the pandemic; however, client’s concerns must be addressed, and cases should remain active pending the return to pre-pandemic life. A personal injury paralegal makes sure that those things are handled, calendared, and addressed, upholding the firm’s strive for excellence even during a crisis.
Consult a Personal Injury Attorney at Burns & Jain
If you or one of your loved ones has experienced personal injuries, you need an experienced attorney with supporting paralegals to get you the most compensation on your claim. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, you need a law firm that is changing with the circumstances to best serve their clients.
Call a personal injury attorney at Burns & Jain at 617-227-7423 for a free consultation about your injury claim. All of our attorneys are actively taking calls, doing video meetings, and working with clients to effectively resolve their cases.