People hire lawyers for many different types of issues. Those filing a lawsuit or responding to one often require legal representation. So do those accused of criminal activity or on the cusp of divorce. People expect their lawyers to understand the law. They know that their lawyers should maintain their confidentiality and act in their best interests. Unfortunately, not all lawyers live up to the expectations of their clients.
Some lawyers have conflicts of interest that result in a poor standard of representation. Others may take cases in areas where they lack knowledge or experience. Factors ranging from financial misconduct and addiction to unprofessional behavior in court can lead to claims of legal malpractice. Frustrated clients who did not receive the legal assistance they paid for may want to consider a legal malpractice lawsuit.
There is a limited window of opportunity to sue
State laws limit how long people can take legal action against other individuals, professionals and businesses. There are numerous statutes of limitations that apply in different scenarios. Those statutes limit the ability of plaintiffs to initiate lawsuits after a certain amount of time has passed.
Legal malpractice lawsuits are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. The people harmed by a lawyer’s financial misconduct, incompetence or unprofessional behavior only have 24 months to take legal action. Major delays in doing so might result in clients losing the opportunity to demand justice.
Legal malpractice lawsuits can result in financial compensation. Most attorneys carry specialized professional insurance that can pay for the losses reported by clients and damages awarded by the courts. In some cases, the lawyer may be directly financially responsible for any damages awarded in a legal malpractice lawsuit.
Compensation awarded after successful litigation can help offset the harm caused by inadequate legal representation. Legal malpractice lawsuits can also result in professional consequences for the lawyer. They may face disciplinary actions that could impact their ability to continue practicing law.
Reviewing the situation that may have involved legal malpractice can help people determine if the situation is actionable. Seeking legal guidance from a different lawyer can potentially help those harmed by an attorney demand accountability for the malpractice they experienced.