Steele, David J.

Jeffrey T. Jones: Using The Law To Fight For The Underdog

When did it become practice in modern-day business to put turning a profit before the wellbeing of everyday people?

If you ask the average person on the street his or her opinion regarding the legal profession, responses would most likely entail a certain level of distrust and cynicism.

Well, West Virginia attorney Jeffrey T. Jones is not your typical litigator. 

Backroom deals, fine print, and jargon may populate our collective conscious, but Jones too detests this impersonal approach.  In fact, Jones loathes trickery, which sadly has become the common practice of many large insurance companies.

He also loathes the bullying power so often employed in dealings with the Internal Revenue Service.

Dealing with an accident, injury, or the IRS is stressful enough, and the last thing a client needs is lack of transparency from their own lawyer, not to mention legal doublespeak from the other party’s attorney.

“I have to tell you, that sort of stuff really gets my blood boiling,” he says.  “I can’t stand it when people get jerked around by insurance companies or the IRS, because they simply don’t know their rights!”
 
Jones has been practicing law in West Virginia for 26 years, and he specializes in personal injury, Car accidents, medical malpractice, and IRS tax issues as head of The Law Offices of Jeffrey T. Jones.  While law runs through the Jones family veins, with his father and brother both attorneys, it was most certainly not the initial path for a young, college-bound Jeffrey.

Always quick with a joke to lighten the mood, Jones muses that he went to law school to delay getting a job right out of his undergraduate degree.  The really funny thing is that his passion for helping others fit in perfectly with this profession.  Subconsciously, he had to know law school was the right choice to help the most people.

 “I went to work with a national firm in 1986,” he adds.  “I have always been passionate about helping people, so I decided early on that would be my focus.”

Jones is careful to avoid legalese when advising, and he has just one goal when it comes to clients - to secure the best compensation possible.  He has been privy to far too many horror stories regarding quick cash settlements, which often leave accident victims in serious fiscal peril.

Quite simply, Jones is the lawyer most victims wish they knew in times of desperation.  He has countless tips and suggestions for any accident victim. 

The absolute first and foremost action Jones recommends during an accident is no action - as in don’t sign anything or make any settlements before seeking legal advice.  Often, injuries and ailments show up weeks after the initial incident, but rest assured, the insurance company’s adjustor will contact  the victim at lighting speeds to close the case and save money.

“You may not feel terribly sore or injured a day or two after the accident, but the pain may surface down the road,” he warns.  “If you sign a document provided by the insurance company, there is absolutely nothing you can do if those injuries do indeed materialize.”

Another sneaky tactic employed by insurance company adjusters is the ever-popular phone call the day after the accident in search of damaging information.  Perhaps a victim feels fine the following day, which is exactly what they want to hear.  If you provide this response and suddenly have an onset of symptoms, be prepared to hear the following, “Well, you said you felt fine two days ago, so you must have done something the last two days that caused the injury.”

Like a trustworthy friend, yet a well-respected attorney, Jeff knows that most clients are not out to make money or trick anyone.  If pain does arise later on, having him in one’s corner is the best asset against an unjust insurance agency.

The insurance company adjuster’s success or failure is judged by how much money they save their client, and they will go to great lengths to ensure this happens.  Jeff will go the same distance to make sure no victim is ever left without a proper settlement.

“They know you may be out of work, and you also have mounting expenses and medical bills.  They will offer you maybe $500 or $1,000, knowing how appealing that can be to a person in need,” he says.

“Allstate Insurance did a study a few years back that showed that injured victims get a larger settlement with an attorney than without one.”

Most victims don’t know that taking the cash now can leave them responsible for doctor bills later on.  This kind of information is simple, yet vital, and something Jeff makes sure to discuss with al his clients.  Once the settlement is signed, it is signed and done. 

Always thinking two steps ahead, Jones also stresses the importance of taking photos at the crash scene, while also securing the contact information for any potential witnesses.  These days, a camera phone can take care of all this with ease.  Clients may have so many resources at their disposal without even knowing it.

When it comes to accidents and injuries, it really is all about having a strategic plan in place, and the man to quarterback that plan is Jeff.

While injury and accident-related litigation long defined Jones’ career, tax issues and IRS litigation are fast becoming an area of specialization.  Though the particulars vary, the issues are the same.  The IRS has infinite resources, specialized codes and terminology, and they use every weapon in their arsenal to get their money.

Jones’ clients are individuals, small businesses and the self-employed.  A lot of these clients are dealing with very large, complex tax issues.

“It really can be quite heartbreaking to see individuals and businesses dealing with this.  There are so many cases where the amount of penalties and late fees eclipse the initial amount owed,” he says.

Clearly, the most sure fire path to avoiding IRS issues is filing your tax returns and paying on time.  A great approach when paying your estimated taxes is to pay the taxes monthly, even weekly, as the IRS will take money at any point.  Having a reliable and trusted gatekeeper like an astute accountant is also of paramount importance.

The IRS requires employers to pay half of their employee’s taxes and by not doing so, the IRS essentially views the matter as theft.  Once again, Jeff relays this crucial information in an easily understood way to advise all his clients.

“As an employer, you are essentially collecting half of the employee’s tax for the IRS.  They have little patience for nonpayment and absolutely view it as stealing,” he warns.

Helping people to get their affairs in order, Jeff truly believes discipline is the name of this game.  Too often, employers go for the short-term gain of not paying these debts to offset costs or get through tough times, but always at their own peril.

Jones has clients still paying tax debts from the 90’s!  He assures that these nagging debts do not go away on their own, but that he can help come to a suitable settlement.

Another area that gives business owners difficulty is when they close a venture.  If they do not notify the IRS that a particular business is no longer in operation, they can expect a knock on the office door from a local postal worker with a nasty certified letter from the IRS.

Jones has a proven track record or reducing the total amount owed and setting up reasonable payment plans.  Another additional benefit of securing Jones’ services is that he serves as a buffer, so clients often times have no direct encounter with the IRS!

“Most people and business owners are completely unaware of all of the codes and technicalities involved, and the IRS absolutely uses this to its advantage.  I am here to level the playing field and get the IRS off of your back, whether they are seeking wage garnishment, lien or a levy,” he says.

Whether fighting the IRS or the insurance companies, Jones is here for the underdog and detests bullying. 

His approach and competency has caught the eyes of not only his clients, but his peers as well.  Jones’ list of accolades and awards are too numerous to mention, but he is very proud of one in particular - he was named the West Virginia Association for Justice Member of the Year in 1998-1999, an honor bestowed exclusively by his peers.

He has also been named as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in West Virginia for the past six years, which is no easy task.  Awards and recognition are certainly welcomed, but neither provides Jones the greatest satisfaction.  He truly loves fighting for the little guy and is tenacious in doing so. 

For further proof of Jones’ dedication to his clients, stop by www.jeffreytjones.com to find a wealth of information provided at no charge for individuals and businesses. It is a shame that more attorneys do not take this transparent and helpful approach.  You can also call 304-345-3400 or 1-800-247-2845.