While there are many exceptional attorneys in the world, there are also those who don’t treat their clients like they should. These individuals may not return calls, could take on cases beyond their expertise or otherwise hurt their clients.
As a client, it’s necessary to know about legal malpractice to avoid it. With several recognizable signs of legal malpractice, you can identify if you’d be better off working with someone else.
1. Your attorney is never on the job
A good work ethic is necessary for attorneys. They have steady case loads and need to invest themselves into each case to get all the details and to protect their clients. Attorneys who don’t return calls or who are impossible to get in touch with could be too busy or ignoring your calls completely.
2. Missing deadlines is a deal breaker
It’s unacceptable for attorneys to miss deadlines that are vital to a client’s case. Each case has, for example, a statute of limitations. If the attorney misses that deadline, the client may no longer have a right to pursue the case, costing them thousands in compensation.
3. Your attorney promises an outcome and doesn’t deliver
It should go without saying that no case is 100 percent certain. There are variables that no one can control, like the judge’s decision, the jury’s possible bias or unexpected evidence. Your attorney should never guarantee the outcome of your case. Even if there is a 99 percent chance that you’ll come out on top, there is still a small likelihood that things won’t go as planned. If your attorney guarantees an outcome, it’s time to get a second opinion.
These are three signs to look out for if you’re worried your attorney might be treating you and your case inappropriately. These signs of legal malpractice could open the attorney up to being sued.