Frequently Asked Questions

CPR lawyers are experienced, successful trial lawyers who are committed to our clients and their causes.

The firm has existed for 50 years.

The firm currently has 20 lawyers, 8 paralegals, and 5 legal assistants.

Every case is unique, but each has four major elements. First, we investigate every potential claim by exploring what happened (such as by reviewing medical records and interviewing witnesses) and analyzing whether those facts may be applied to law that would permit us to hold another accountable. Second, if we believe the facts and law support moving forward, we then file a Complaint with the Court, which starts a lawsuit. The third — and longest — part of any lawsuit is the discovery phase of the case, in which both sides learn about their opponents’ claims or defenses through written questions (called interrogatories), the production of documents and other materials, and pretrial testimony under oath (called depositions). Finally, the case is scheduled for and we go to trial. At CPR, we prepare every case for trial, although settlement negotiations can occur at any time while the case is being prepared.

You will meet with the lawyers, paralegals, and legal assistants who all act as a team to investigate your claim and undertake your representation. We will meet face-to-face wherever and whenever is convenient. We, of course, have learned that Zoom, FaceTime, and other types of remote meetings work, too.

CPR does not charge for consultations, and we do not bill by the hour. Rather, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we are only paid a fee if we accept your case and make a recovery on your behalf.

During our free consultation, we can advise you on whether you should hire a lawyer or what steps will be necessary to determine if you should.

Our offices are open generally from 8:30AM until 6:00PM; however, we are available anytime that is convenient for you. We freely share our numbers and email addresses so you can contact us as needed.

CPR only receives a fee if we make a recovery on your behalf. In those circumstances, our fees are based on a percentage of the recovery. At that time, the firm is also reimbursed for the litigation costs that we incur in prosecuting your case. All of this is described in our initial consultation and in our fee agreement, which we will review with you in detail.

When you choose CPR to represent you and your family, we ask that you sign a fee agreement that outlines our respective responsibilities, the fees, and the costs that may be reimbursed.

Each case is unique, but initially, we obtain all of the materials we need to investigate your potential claim. This may include ordering medical records, retrieving documents, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with experts. We will communicate often during this process. At the end of our investigation, we will share our opinion about how to proceed next. Our goal is to keep you informed every step of the way, and we invite any questions that you may have.

CPR is a very collaborative law firm. You will be introduced to a team of lawyers, paralegals, and legal assistants who will be working on your case and available to take your calls, respond to your emails, and ensure you are informed along the way.

You can expect honesty, responsiveness, and zealous advocacy from CPR. We take seriously our responsibilities of providing counsel and advocacy to our clients.

We expect our clients to communicate with us honestly and completely. Even with our experience, no one knows more about what happened and the impact of an injury than the people going through it. Our goal is to solve problems and to help our clients navigate not only the legal process, but also the life changes they are confronting that give rise to their case.

At CPR, we prepare every case as if it is going to trial. This preparation is the best way to demonstrate to the other side the risks they face in a courtroom, and it provides them with the incentive to settle the case before confronting that risk. While it is true that most cases settle before trial, we will be ready to go to court, and we will make sure you are ready, too.

While not what we’re used to seeing on TV or in movies, trials can be dramatic. Throughout every step of your case, we will keep you informed and make sure you are prepared.

Should your case settle, it is over. While some settlements require court approval, for most, a settlement is negotiated, a settlement agreement is entered, and the funds are distributed to our clients. That said, we remain available to assist you with any steps that you may need to take after the case is over.

The length of time varies by jurisdiction and case type. Some jurisdictions have longer case backlogs, meaning it will take longer for the case to come to trial. Generally, however, most cases resolve between 2 to 4 years.

Yes. CPR advances the costs it takes to prosecute a lawsuit, which are reimbursed later if, and when, any funds are recovered on your behalf. Generally, these expenses include filing fees, costs of obtaining medical and other records, fees paid to expert witnesses, and costs incurred during discovery for things like deposition transcripts. CPR’s fee agreement details what costs outside of fees will be reimbursed.

CPR does not bill personal injury clients. Should we make a recovery on your behalf, we will prepare a distribution statement that outlines the costs for which we will be reimbursed and our fee. We will review this document with you and ask that you approve it.

There are different time limits — known as statutes of limitations — that apply to different types of cases and that vary from state to state. Regardless of the statute of limitations that applies to your case, it is important to begin an investigation into any potential claim as soon as possible before evidence is lost and memories fade.

Yes. Over CPR’s 50-year history, we have worked with lawyers throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and around the country, and we have been proud to be entrusted to represent their clients.

Our relationships with referring attorneys are invaluable to us. You can be assured that we will communicate clearly with both you and your client throughout the referral process. Should the case move to trial, we will provide your referred client with the highest level of care, zealous advocacy, and thoughtful counsel — and we welcome your insights and assistance as the case develops.

Yes — we pay a lawyer referral fee upon a successful recovery on behalf of your referred client. We value the trust that our colleagues place in us when they refer their clients to us.