Common Questions
These are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from potential clients.
1. How do I pay for my legal fees?
We take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that if there is no monetary recovery, you owe us nothing for our services.
2. How do I pay for the expenses of the case?
In most cases, The Gooch Firm will advance the expenses of the case and we will be paid back by you when there is a recovery. Again, if your case does not win, you owe us nothing.
3. How do you decide whether you will take my case?
As you already may have read, we do not get paid for any of our time, unless we win your case. It is therefore, very important for us to take cases that we feel we can win. We are not a large law firm. Unfortunately, we are not able to help all of the people who ask for and need our help. We look at each case individually as it comes in. If we believe that we can be of service to you, we will take the case. Sometimes, if we are unable to help you, we know of other lawyers who can help, and we will refer you to them.
The value of each case is different and must be evaluated separately. We take a great deal of time to come to a proper evaluation of your case. The Gooch Firm is experienced at evaluating cases and representing people. However, you must know that there is never a guarantee of any recovery. The client is the boss. You will always have the decision to settle, Mediate or go to trial. We will help you understand the law and with our help you decide how much is an acceptable amount of money.
5. I don’t live in Utah. How can you take my case?
The lawyers at The Gooch Firm are licensed to practice in different states. If, however, you live in a state where we are not licensed, we associate with competent local counsel and work closely with them on your case. Since we associate with local counsel we are able to appear and practice in states where we are not licensed.
6. In what areas of Utah do you handle cases?
Although we are located in Salt Lake City, Utah, we will take cases throughout the state of Utah including the following counties and cities: Box Elder County, Cache County, Rich County, Summit County, Tooele County, Wasatch County, Daggett County, Weber County, Morgan County, Davis County, Salt Lake County, Duchesne County, Utah County, Uintah County, Carbon County, Juab County, Sanpete County, Emery County, Grand County, Sevier County, Millard County, Beaver County, Piute County, Wayne County, San Juan County, Iron County, Garfield County, Washington County, and Kane County. Cities: Alpine, Alta, Altamont, Alton, Amalga, American Fork, Annabella, Antimony, Aurora, Ballard, Bear River City, Beaver, Beryl, Bicknell, Big Water, Blanding, Bloomington, Bluffdale, Boulder, Bountiful, Brian Head, Brigham City, Cannonville, Canyon Rim, Castle Dale, Castle Valley, Cedar City, Cedar Fort, Cedar Hills, Centerfield, Centerville, Charleston, Circleville, Clarkston, Clawson, Clearfield, Cleveland, Clinton, Coalville, Corinne, Cornish, Cottonwood Heights, Cottonwood West, Cove, Delta, Deweyville, Draper, Duchesne, Dugway, East Carbon, East Millcreek, Elk Ridge, Elmo, Elsinore, Elwood, Emery, Enoch, Enterprise, Ephraim, Erda, Escalante, Eureka, Fairview, Farmington, Farr West, Fayette, Ferron, Fielding, Fillmore, Fort Duchesne, Fountain Green, Francis, Fruit Heights, Garden City, Garland, Genola, Glendale, Glenwood, Goshen, Granite, Grantsville, Green River, Gunnison, Hanksville, Harrisville, Hatch, Heber City, Helper, Henefer, Henrieville, Hiawatha, Highland, Hildale, Hinckley, Holden, Holladay, Honeyville, Hooper, Howell, Huntington, Huntsville, Hurricane, Hyde Park, Hyrum, Ivins, Joseph, Junction, Kamas, Kanab, Kanarraville, Kanosh, Kaysville, Kearns, Keetley, Kingston, Koosharem, La Verkin, Laketown, Layton, Leamington, Leeds, Lehi, Levan, Lewiston, Lindon, Loa, Logan, Lund, Lyman, Lynndyl, Maeser, Magna, Manila, Manti, Mantua, Mapleton, Marysvale, Mayfield, Meadow, Mendon, Mexican Hat, Midvale, Midway, Milford, Millcreek, Millville, Minersville, Moab, Modena, Mona, Monroe, Montezuma Creek, Monticello, Morgan, Moroni, Mount Carmel, Mount Carmel Junction, Mount Olympus, Mount Pleasant, Murray, Naples, Neola, Nephi, New Castle, New Harmony, Newton, Nibley, North Logan, North Ogden, North Salt Lake, Oak City, Oakley, Ogden, Ophir, Oquirrh, Orangeville, Orderville, Orem, Panguitch, Paradise, Paragonah, Park City, Parowan, Payson, Perry, Plain City, Pleasant Grove, Pleasant View, Plymouth, Portage, Price, Providence, Provo, Randlett, Randolph, Redmond, Richfield, Richmond, River Heghts, Riverdale, Riverton, Rockville, Roosevelt, Roy, Rush Valley, Salem, Salina, Salt Lake City, Sandy, Santa Clara, Santaquin, Scipio, Scofield, Sigurd, Smithfield, Snowville, Soldier Summit, South Jordan, South Ogden, South Salt Lake, South Weber, Spanish Fork, Spring City, Springdale, Springville, St. George, Stansbury Park, Sterling, Stockton, Summit, Sunnyside, Sunset, Syracuse, Tabiona, Taylorsville, Tooele, Toquerville, Torrey, Tremonton, Trenton, Tropic, Uintah, Union, Val Verda, Vernal, Vernon, Veyo, Vineyard, Virgin, Wales, Washington, Washington Terrace, Wellington, Wellsville, Wendover, West Bountiful, West Jordan, West Valley City, Woods Cross.
7. If my case settles, how long will it take before I receive money?
Typically, once a case is settled, documents must be exchanged between both parties of the lawsuit. The payment is given to the lawyers to deposit into an account. Once funds are available, the money can then be distributed properly. This process usually takes 30 - 45 days, but can take longer if your case involves special circumstances.