Damages Caused By Your Lawyer? What to Do Next
Legal Malpractice
You hired a lawyer to protect your interests, fight for your rights, and achieve a successful outcome in your case. But what happens when your lawyer’s actions (or lack thereof) leave you worse off and cause damages?
If you suspect your lawyer’s negligence has damaged your case, you may have a legal malpractice claim against them. Here’s a breakdown of what legal malpractice is and the steps you can take to address it.
What Constitutes Legal Malpractice?
Legal malpractice occurs when an attorney fails to meet the professional standards expected of them, directly causing harm to their client. Common instances include:
- Negligence: Failing to meet deadlines, mismanaging case files, or lacking preparation.
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Acting in their own interest rather than prioritizing the client’s needs.
- Breach of Contract: Failing to honor agreements set out in the client-attorney contract.
Proving that an attorney’s actions directly caused harm is essential. For more details on this, visit this page.
The Process: What to Do When Your Lawyer Causes Harm
Addressing legal malpractice protects your rights and ensures that negligent attorneys are held accountable. It’s about recovering what you’ve lost and safeguarding the integrity of the legal profession. Here’s what you should do…
Step 1: Identify and Document the Harm
Begin by carefully assessing the damages caused by your attorney. Ask yourself:
- Did the attorney miss a critical deadline?
- Was a conflict of interest present?
- Did their actions or inactions directly lead to financial or legal harm?
Collect all relevant documentation, including contracts, emails, invoices, and court records. Proper documentation strengthens your case and ensures accuracy during legal proceedings.
Step 2: Research Legal Malpractice Attorneys
Not all attorneys are equipped to handle legal malpractice claims. It’s essential to consult with qualified legal malpractice attorneys. Reach out to The Kassab Law Firm, who focus exclusively on this area of law. With a proven track record, our Houston legal malpractice attorney can evaluate your case and guide you effectively.
Step 3: Schedule a Consultation
The next step is to meet with a legal malpractice attorney to discuss your case. During the consultation:
- Share your documentation.
- Clearly explain how your former attorney’s actions affected you.
- Ask about the viability of your claim and the next steps.
Our legal malpractice attorneys will thoroughly evaluate your situation and provide you with tailored legal advice. Call us today to schedule your consultation.
Step 4: File Your Legal Malpractice Claim
If your case has merit, your attorney will help you file a legal malpractice claim. This process involves:
- Establishing Duty: Proving that the attorney owed you a duty of competent representation.
- Proving Breach of Duty: Demonstrating how the attorney failed to meet the standard of care.
- Establishing Causation: Showing that their actions directly caused harm.
- Proving Damages: Quantifying the financial or legal losses suffered.
The Kassab Law Firm’s team is highly experienced in handling these steps. For more information, see related cases..
Step 5: Understand the Timeline and Limitations
It’s crucial to act quickly due to statutes of limitations that restrict the timeframe for filing a legal malpractice claim. In Texas, these limitations can vary depending on the specifics of your case. A prompt consultation with The Kassab Law Firm ensures that you don’t miss critical deadlines.
Step 6: Pursue a Resolution
Once your claim is filed, your attorney will pursue the best possible resolution, whether through negotiation, mediation, or trial. Legal malpractice cases aim not only to recover damages but also to hold negligent attorneys accountable and uphold ethical standards in the legal profession.
Why Addressing Legal Malpractice Matters
Addressing legal malpractice protects your rights and ensures that negligent attorneys are held accountable. It’s about recovering what you’ve lost and safeguarding the integrity of the legal profession. The Kassab Law Firm has achieved substantial recoveries for clients, demonstrating their commitment to justice. Explore their success stories here.
The Kassab Law Firm Can Help
When a lawyer’s misconduct affects your life, taking action is essential. The Kassab Law Firm has the experience and dedication to represent clients harmed by legal malpractice. Protect your rights and hold negligent attorneys accountable. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and start your journey toward recovery.