Can I Fire My Personal Injury Lawyer?
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU FIND A NEW ATTORNEY
While the short answer to the question in the title of this article is “yes,” that still doesn’t mean you should. Below, we’ll briefly cover the common reasons why clients fire their personal injury (PI) attorneys, how to fire your attorney if necessary, and what the costs are of doing so. Common Reasons Why Clients Fire Their Lawyers Some of the most common reasons clients fire their attorney include poor communication from the attorney, a conflict of personality between the client and attorney, a client setting unrealistic expectations for the value of their case, and a client finding out that their lawyer doesn’t handle “complicated” cases (e.g., cases that go to trial). The best way to avoid these scenarios is to hire the right PI in the first place. To do so, keep these general principles mind as you search for someone to represent you: Research different attorneys beforehand. Establish clear communication channels. Make your expectations clear before you sign a fee agreement. How to Fire Your Lawyer If you start the process of firing your current lawyer before your case has been filed in court, it’s a relatively simple process. My only recommendation would be to secure a new lawyer before firing your prior counsel. Otherwise, you could be left representing yourself. To fire your lawyer, just have your new lawyer write a letter to them, telling them to cease work on your file and to forward all documents related to your case to your new counsel.
influenced by the strategy, tactics, and even mistakes of your previous lawyer. So, if you’re thinking of firing your attorney, do it before your case is filed. Will I have to pay the lawyer I fired? No. Most lawyers work on contingency fees, meaning they take a portion of whatever settlement they obtain for you. When you fire your lawyer and hire a new one, typically, they divide the fee amongst themselves, leaving your portion of the settlement largely unchanged. This is a bit of an oversimplification, so make sure to discuss fees with your new lawyer before making any agreements. For a second opinion on your case, or to get an idea of what your case might be worth, give our office a call or text us at 617.889.5000. Whether we’re your first choice or second, we’ll make sure you get the service you deserve.
Things do get significantly more difficult if your case has already been filed in court. How your new attorney can handle your case will be
review of the month
“My mom suffered a really severe knee injury four years ago at a supermarket, and while my mom sought care, Spada Law Group took the severity of her fall into their hands. As she rested, they took care of all the rest, especially attorney Zolotas who was my mom’s attorney. Four years later, he continued to work tirelessly for her. My mom and I couldn’t be happier with his work and the grand team that they are as a whole. Spada Law Group really cares about their clients and really makes the case about you and what has happened to you. They make it their priority. My mom and I are really appreciative of them and all that they do. We will be forever thankful.” –Ana T.
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