Signs You Might Be a Victim of Legal Malpractice in Texas: What You Need to Know
Legal Malpractice
Hiring an attorney should mean gaining a trusted advocate who protects your rights and works diligently on your behalf. But when an attorney fails to meet their legal duty and that failure causes harm, it may constitute legal malpractice. If you’re questioning whether your lawyer mishandled your case, it’s important to recognize early warning signs. Legal malpractice in Texas can lead to significant financial losses and irreparable damage to your legal standing.
If you suspect malpractice, speak with skilled Texas legal malpractice attorneys who focus exclusively on holding lawyers accountable from The Kassab Law Firm, a respected legal malpractice firm serving clients across Texas.
Sign #1: Missed Deadlines or Statutes of Limitations
One of the most common signs of legal malpractice is a missed deadline. Texas law sets strict time limits for filing claims, known as statutes of limitations. When your attorney fails to act before the deadline, your case may be dismissed entirely—leaving you with no legal remedy.
For instance, in Murphy v. Gruber, 241 S.W.3d 689 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2007), the court confirmed that missing a statute of limitations without justification can be grounds for a malpractice suit. If your claim was dismissed due to a missed deadline, legal malpractice attorneys can help.
Sign #2: Lack of Communication or Abandonment
Under Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, attorneys are required to keep clients informed and respond to reasonable requests for information. If your lawyer stopped responding to your calls or failed to update you on your case, this could signal abandonment—another actionable basis for legal malpractice.
In fact, Texas courts have held attorneys liable when they failed to keep clients informed about major decisions or developments. If your attorney ignored you or left you in the dark during key stages of your case, speak with an experienced legal malpractice attorney immediately.
Sign #3: Conflicts of Interest or Dishonest Behavior
Attorneys must act in the best interest of their clients and avoid conflicts of interest. If your lawyer represented another party whose interests conflicted with yours, failed to disclose that conflict, or misused your funds or confidential information, you may be entitled to file a malpractice claim.
An example is found in Burrow v. Arce, 997 S.W.2d 229 (Tex. 1999), where the Texas Supreme Court reaffirmed a client’s right to seek fee forfeiture for breach of fiduciary duty. Whether it’s double-dealing or self-serving actions, these are serious breaches that Texas legal malpractice lawyers address regularly.
Sign #4: Unreasonable Legal Advice or Procedural Errors
Sometimes attorneys give clients advice that no reasonably prudent lawyer would provide. If you were advised to settle for an unreasonably low amount, drop a meritorious claim, or proceed in a way that clearly harmed your position, those decisions may indicate malpractice.
Similarly, filing incorrect documents, suing the wrong party, or failing to raise necessary arguments can all damage a case irreversibly. If you suffered a poor outcome due to such errors, a Houston legal malpractice attorney from The Kassab Law Firm can evaluate your options.
Sign #5: You Lost Your Case—and the Reason Doesn’t Make Sense
Losing a case isn’t always malpractice, but if you lost due to something your attorney should have avoided—like failing to show up to court, missing deadlines, or misapplying the law—you may have grounds for action. The outcome should be based on the facts and the law, not your lawyer’s negligence.
Before assuming your case was unwinnable, get a second opinion from Texas legal malpractice attorneys who focus exclusively on holding attorneys accountable. The Kassab Law Firm provides thorough evaluations of questionable legal representation.
You Deserve Accountability
When an attorney violates your trust, the consequences can be life-changing. If any of the signs above apply to your situation, don’t delay. At The Kassab Law Firm, we are committed to helping victims of legal malpractice recover what they’ve lost and restore their confidence in the justice system. Our team includes board-certified legal malpractice lawyers serving Houston, Dallas, and all of Texas. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.