It is only natural to be upset with your attorney when the outcome of your case is not what you expected. You may begin to wonder whether your attorney failed to do something that could have changed the outcome. Most attorneys take their responsibilities to their clients seriously, and just because your case did not go as you liked does not mean that your attorney committed legal malpractice. The only way to know is through an investigation regarding your attorney’s activities during your case — whether it took place in a New York criminal or civil court.
Some of the most common ways that attorneys breach their duties to their clients include missing deadlines, being unresponsive or missing a statute of limitations. You may take issue with the fees your attorney charged you. Your attorney may have failed to reveal a conflict of interest, or may have taken action in your case without your consent. These would be considered ethical violations.
Other potential mistakes that could constitute legal malpractice may be case specific. For instance, in a personal injury case, your attorney may have failed to file the suit against all potential defendants. In a divorce case, you may discover that your spouse was hiding assets from you, and you believe your attorney should have been able to discover that fact.
Regardless of the issue, if you believe that your attorney committed legal malpractice, that fact needs to be verified before moving forward. A New York attorney who handles these types of cases could prove invaluable. If it turns out that your attorney did make a costly mistake, it would be beneficial to have an advocate by your side to help you pursue recovery of any restitution to which you may be entitled.