Attorneys and paralegals, particularly those practicing in the field of injury law, often have an incredible caseload. They may be handling literally hundreds of claims.

But that's no excuse for forgetting that they represent people, and that individual's and families' lives, livelihoods, health and financial well being are at stake.

Unfortunately, at many injury law firms, the focus is on cases, not people.

But now at The Deuterman Law Group.

My overriding reason for starting my own law firm in 2003 was that I believed there was a better way to work, to treat employees and serve our clients. As a result, we have very clear people-focused priorities:

• To deliver justice for our clients
• To treat our clients, our employees and all people with dignity and respect
• To uphold high ethical standards
• To have a positive impact on our community.

While we want to win cases, that's not our only goal. We make it a priority to take care of the “whole person” by ensuring that clients receive not only financial compensation for their injuries, but also medical care, psychological support and access to other resources that will aid in their recovery and improved well-being.

Our attorneys, paralegals and office staff make it our mission to help clients adjust to a new “normal” following an injury. We help put injured people’s lives back on track.

Here at the Deuterman Law Group, things that are all in a day’s work would be considered above and beyond the call of duty at other law firms. Things like:

• Assisting clients with employment and retraining, if needed
• Helping coordinate our client's medical treatment
• Looking out for our client’s financial well-being and directing them to agencies and community groups that can help them. (This might involve helping them find a way to pay their past-due utility bills or helping them secure college scholarships for their children.)
• Ensuring that our clients deal with the psychological, as well as the physical, impact of their injuries.
• Providing great customer service. We call our clients regularly to check in, even if there's no "reason" to do so, like an update on their case. We recognize that sometimes people just need to talk and to know that someone who cares is listening.

Putting people first. It’s such a simple philosophy, but it has served us and our clients well. It's unfortunate that at many injury law firms, the emphasis is clear on cases and not on people.

Deuterman Law Group Founder and President is one of 24 Triad Impact Leaders in Law

(Greensboro, N.C., August 14, 2008) –Daniel L. Deuterman, a Greensboro attorney who is committed to helping injured workers while also improving his community, has been selected as one of the Triad Impact Leaders in Law by Business Leader Media.

Deuterman and 23 other attorneys from the Triad will be featured in the August issue of Business Leader magazine. These winners were chosen based on the impact they have made in their industry and in their community.

“I’m a firm believer that success should be measured in the amount of good you do,” Deuterman said. “That belief guides me professionally as I advocate for injured workers other injured people, and it also has motivated me to become involved in volunteer work. At the Deuterman Law Group, we all care about improving the community in which we and our clients live. That’s an important part of our identity as individuals and as a law firm.

“I’m honored to be recognized by Business Leader for the impact I’ve made professionally and personally."

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The Winston-Salem Journal here in North Carolina published an article this week about law firms that blog.

The Deuterman Law Group is leading the pack. While some firms are just now launching blogs, we've been using the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Law Blog to keep clients informed for more than a year.

The Deuterman Law Group, a downtown Greensboro law firm that focuses on workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability cases, was a finalist in The Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” competition.

The annual competition recognizes Triad companies that provide good work environments for their employees through their policies, incentive programs, community involvement and benefits.

“The Best Places to Work” award winners and finalists are chosen based from nominations and input from employees. Winners are determined based on responses from employee feedback surveys conducted anonymously online with scores rated by a firm that conducts such surveys nationwide.

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I recently visited the Workplace Prof Blog and found the blog entry, The Empire Strikes Back: Wal-Mart Reaches Out to Its Workers, which comments on the article Wal-Mart Defends Itself, This Time to Its Workers. The revelation of Wal-Mart's treatment of its employees has brought it under fire from politicians, activists, media and former employees. And what is Wal-Mart's response?
Blame the politicians. "We think elected officials should spend their time on real solutions to real challenges." says Dan Fogleman, a Wal-Mart spokesperson. Since when is unfair labor policies and wages not a real issue?

"Wal-Mart - The high cost of low price", a film by Robert Greenwald has sparked outrage in many communities against Wal-Mart. In our law firm, we have seen first hand how Wal-Mart poorly treats their employees when they are injured. The bottom line is companies need to act responsibly. Lawmakers have presented a bill that addresses the issue of companies taking advantage of government assistance instead of providing adequate benefits for their employees. WILG (Worker's Injury Law and Advocacy Group) newsletter recently issued the following article. Sorry there was no electronic version.

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