how to sue an attorney for malpractice for free

Most attorneys will offer you a free consultation. Bring your case file and any other pertinent documents so the attorney can determine if you have a valid malpractice case. You may be required to give your attorney money for costs before your malpractice suit can proceed, even if s/he is also being paid a contingency fee.

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Can a client sue their attorney for malpractice?

In other words, it's not malpractice just because your lawyer lost your case. To win a malpractice case against an attorney, you must prove four basic things: duty -- that the attorney owed you a duty to act properly; breach -- that the attorney breached the duty: she was negligent, she made a mistake, or she did not do what she agreed to do

What to do if you get sued for malpractice?

Steps to Take to Sue Your Lawyer for Malpractice. There are several steps to take if you believe you have a good case for legal malpractice, including: Obtain your case file from your original attorney; Gather all documentation pertaining to the original case; Contact a …

Can I Sue my retained attorney for malpractice?

If you’re wondering how to sue an attorney, there are several steps that you need to take: Obtain your case file from the original attorney Gather all the documentation that pertains to your original case Contact an attorney that specializes in legal malpractice to …

How hard is it to sue a doctor for malpractice?

You may want to sue your attorney for malpractice if the attorney made significant errors while representing you, sent you a bad check, failed to contact you, or settled your case without your permission. Lawyers are bound by the standards...

What does it mean when a lawyer is not a malpractice?

Malpractice means that the lawyer failed to use the ordinary skill and care that would be used by other lawyers in handling a similar problem or case under similar circumstances. In other words, it's not malpractice just because your lawyer lost your case.

What to do if your lawyer is stealing money?

If you seriously suspect your lawyer has misused any money he holds for you in trust, complain to your state's attorney regulatory agency right away. Although regulation of lawyers is lax in most states, complaints about stealing clients' money are almost always taken seriously, so you should get a prompt response.

What are the three types of malpractice suits?

There are three basic categories for a legal malpractice suit: negligence, breach of fiduciary duty , and breach of contract. Keep in mind that you must also be able to prove that your attorney's conduct hurt you financially and, as a result, you suffered financial consequences.

What is the fiduciary duty of an attorney?

As part of an attorney’s fiduciary duty to the client, if an issue arises in which an action taken for the client’s benefit will likely cause harm to the attorney, the attorney must act in the client’s benefit in spite of the harm to self.

How to get a paper trail?

1. Obtain a copy of your case file from your attorney. Gather any other documents that pertain to the case the attorney handled, including bills from your attorney and the contract you signed. If your attorney is not returning your calls, send a letter specifying the reason why you called to create a paper trail.

Do you have to testify at a trial?

At trial, both parties will present evidence in an effort to prove their case in front of a jury or judge. Not only will you be expected to attend the trial, you will also be required to testify. Your attorney will prepare you for both attending the trial and your testimony.

What is quantifiable damages?

You must be able to prove quantifiable charges in a legal malpractice suit. Quantifiable damages are those that can be easily reduced to a monetary value. They generally do not include punitive damages (those meant to punish the offending attorney) or any money to compensate you for pain and suffering.

What is summary judgment motion?

This is a motion that requests the judge to determine whether or not you have alleged sufficient facts to potentially win your case. If the judge determines that the facts you've alleged are insufficient, the judge may dismiss your case.

Can I sue my attorney for malpractice?

You may want to sue your attorney for malpractice if the attorney made significant errors while representing you, sent you a bad check, failed to contact you, or settled your case without your permission . Lawyers are bound by the standards of the bar association in the state where they are licensed.

What is legal malpractice?

Legal malpractice cases are two cases in one. You must prove that your attorney exhibited negligence while handling your case, and if that negligence had not occurred, you would have received a more favorable outcome, settlement, or judgment than you did. Substantial levels of re-litigation of the original case are often necessary in order ...

What is the duty of care of an attorney?

The first is that your original attorney owed you a duty of care to act properly in your case. There is usually a contract or agreement between a client and attorney which affirms this duty of care. Secondly, it must be shown that your original attorney breached this duty of care.

How to contact Patrick Malone?

Call us at 1-202-742-1500 or 1-888-625-6635 or fill out our confidential contact form for a FREE Consultation and review of your case. PLEASE NOTE: The Patrick Malone law firm cannot help you with a claim against an attorney in the fields of criminal law, family law (including divorce, alimony, custody, parental rights), immigration, or employment. ...

Example cases

The basis behind most if not all legal malpractice cases are problematic attorney-client relationships, including a lack of communication, dishonest or unethical behavior, deficient legal work, and billing issues.

Hire an attorney to sue the attorney

If you feel that you have a case for legal malpractice, it would be in your best interests to seek the services of an experienced attorney to sue another attorney for legal malpractice. Scott S. Harris, one of the best attorneys in San Diego, has a lot of experience when it comes to handling cases involving legal malpractice.

How long does it take to file a medical malpractice lawsuit?

It is important to consider that filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is a lengthy and often costly process that might take years to properly file and substantiate. Unlike other claims, there is an extensive review, submission, and reformatting process involved.

What is malpractice and negligence?

Although commonly used interchangeably, malpractice and negligence are different. Both terms describe a fault on the physician/medical professional’s end, but refer to different occurrences that resulted in damages. An intentional deviation from the standard of care. A mistake that resulted in causing a patient harm.

What is malpractice in medical terms?

Malpractice can be as simple as a failure to provide a fast diagnosis for a treatable complication of an illness, resulting in more grave consequences . Malpractice can also be as complex as a medical procedure gone wrong, causing irreparable damage.

How many medical malpractice cases are filed annually?

Americans file over 85,000 medical malpractice claims annually; on average, small claims were the most successful, with over $400,000 USD paid. Typically, malpractice suits are characterized by the need for extensive care, the extent of the damage done, and proof of misconduct.

What are the 4 D's of medical malpractice?

These are the “4 D’s” — requirements that are needed to establish medical malpractice and for solidifying cases.

What is the duty of care of a doctor?

Duty of Care – A doctor owes consumers a duty of care, which is treatment within a reasonable scope of the doctor’s skillset, care, and diligence as any other reasonable physician would do in the same circumstances.

What are some examples of damages?

Below are some examples of common damages: Pain. Suffering.

How to win a malpractice case?

Most legal malpractice cases are based on negligence. To win this type of case, you must prove all of the following: 1 Your lawyer owed you a duty to competently represent you. 2 Your lawyer breached that duty. 3 Your lawyer's breach caused you to suffer a financial loss.

How long does it take to file a malpractice case?

The time limit for filing a legal malpractice case can be as short as one year.

What is negligence in a lawsuit?

Negligence. Negligence is the most common grounds for a malpractice lawsuit. It happens when your attorney fails to use the skill and care normally expected of a competent attorney. For example, you might have grounds for a negligence suit if your lawyer missed an important deadline, failed to prepare for trial, or failed to follow court orders.

What is a breach of contract?

Breach of contract. Breach of contract occurs when a lawyer violates a specific term of the lawyer’s agreement with a client. For example, if your contract says that your lawyer will create a corporation for you by a certain date, the lawyer must stick to that agreement. Breach of fiduciary duty. Lawyers owe certain fiduciary duties ...

How to resolve a dispute with a lawyer?

Participate in fee arbitration . If your dispute with your lawyer is over fees, most states offer an informal method of resolution called arbitration. A neutral third party presides over the arbitration, receives evidence from both sides, and makes a decision about what fees are owed.

What is a breach of fiduciary duty?

Breach of fiduciary duty. Lawyers owe certain fiduciary duties to their clients, such as the duty of loyalty and duty of confidentiality. Your lawyer must act in your best interests and must keep your communications confidential.

What is the standard of care for a lawyer?

You must show that your lawyer failed to act with the knowledge, skill, and care of other qualified attorneys practicing under similar circumstances (called the “standard of care”). Often times, lawyers must make strategic decisions or judgment calls, which don’t always turn out for the best.