Do I Have a Case? What Lawyers Look For Before Saying Yes

The real question behind do I have a case?

When people search do I have a case, is my case worth pursuing, or do lawyers take cases like this, they are usually trying to answer a smaller set of questions:

• Did something legally wrong actually happen?
• Did that thing cause real harm or loss?
• Is there enough evidence to show what happened?
• Is it too late to do anything about it?

Common factors lawyers review

Every situation is different, but many lawyers informally walk through a few core factors when they review a new matter:

• Liability: is there a legal theory that might apply to what happened?
• Damages: are there medical bills, lost wages, or other measurable losses?
• Evidence: are there records, messages, photos, or witnesses that help show what happened?
• Timing: is the situation still within the statute of limitations in the relevant state?

Online research cannot replace speaking with a licensed attorney about your specific facts, but learning how these ideas work can make those conversations more productive.

Using public information to research your situation

Many people start by searching public information: court decisions, statutes, legal articles, and reputable explainers. The goal is not to predict what any one lawyer or court will do, but to understand:

• What kinds of cases have looked similar in the past
• Which legal concepts tend to show up in those cases
• What facts seemed important to judges or decision-makers

Caseworth is designed to help people explore that public information in a structured, educational way before they decide whether to speak with a lawyer.

Questions to ask yourself before contacting a lawyer

As you review your situation, it can help to write down simple, factual answers to questions like:

• What exactly happened, in time order?
• When did it happen, and has anything similar happened before or since?
• What specific costs, losses, or changes have you experienced?
• Which documents, messages, or records do you already have?

Organizing this information does not guarantee that you have a case, but it is often the same kind of information lawyers review during an initial consultation.

Important disclaimer

This article is for general educational purposes only. It does not create an attorney client relationship, and it is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation.