Attorneys have an obligation to their clients. If they fail in these obligations, there’s a chance that their clients could file and win legal malpractice cases.
A legal malpractice lawsuit usually occurs after an attorney fails a client by neglecting the client in some way. The attorney may breach his or her fiduciary duties or contract in a way that harms the client financially or in other ways.
What is a common cause of legal malpractice lawsuits?
One common reason is the failure of an attorney to file paperwork on time. In law, there is a statute of limitations. This statute limits how long you have to file a claim against another party for your injuries or damages done to your property. If your attorney does not file your paperwork within the respective time frame required for your case, you’ll lose the right to file a claim against the other party. When that happens, you have no recourse against the other person who harmed you. At that point, your only option may be to file a claim against your attorney, since he or she failed in his or her duties.
Your attorney has an obligation to you. He or she must represent you skillfully and take the case seriously. Mistakes, like failing to file a claim on time, can result in harm coming to you. If that harm results in an injury or financial loss, then you have a right to pursue a claim against your attorney. It’s important to hold him or her responsible for the errors that have hurt you.
Source: FindLaw, “Legal Malpractice Lawsuit FAQ,” accessed Feb. 07, 2018