When you hire an attorney, you count on that professional to act in your best interests. While most attorneys act in an ethical manner, there are a few who don’t do what they are supposed to do. This can come from various circumstances but the reason for the unethical behavior can harm the client.
Clients who are the victims of legal malpractice often have to face greater hurdles than what they should have to. Here are some things to consider if you think you’ve fallen victim to an attorney who isn’t acting in your best interests:
Some errors might seem simple
Some of the errors that are made might seem like they are simple oversights, but they can have serious consequences. These include errors in doing a public records search or failing to denote the calendar properly. Sometimes, clerical errors or not filing documents that aren’t bound by a deadline can also lead to problems. When these occur, the client would need to ascertain how the issue impacts them.
It might be hard to catch problems
Lawyers went to school to learn how to read the law. They are expected to have a good grasp on specific concepts. Unfortunately, there are times when they don’t apply laws correctly. This can put clients in a precarious position, such as when an interpretation of the law isn’t used properly. Another issue is that the attorney doesn’t handle the discovery or planning as they should. These are very important steps that can’t be put off because they form the foundation of the client’s legal standing.
Anything amiss must be addressed
Sometimes, you might have a feeling that something is wrong. It is always best to trust your instincts. If you have an idea that your lawyer isn’t acting in your best interests, delve a bit deeper. Some examples of things that might signal a problem include:
- Lax communication
- Lost items (documents, files, evidence)
- Potential conflicts of interests
- Failure to get consent from you
- Errors in information presented to you
- Not following your instructions or respecting your decisions
- Errors in calculations, particularly finance-related matters
Legal malpractice claims are sometimes necessary to rectify the damage and harm done to the client. Victims of this problem should determine what actions they can take to address these matters.