When you partner with an attorney, you rely on his or her knowledge, punctuality and determination to your case. While attorneys are human and make mistakes, those mistakes may have dire consequences when it comes to representing people in the judicial process.
If your attorney makes a critical mistake resulting in an issue in your case, it may be a matter of legal malpractice. Whether the error was intentional or inadvertent, you have the right to fair and capable representation.
What are some types of legal malpractice?
According to the American Bar Association, some types of legal malpractice are more common than others. One of the most common situations involves missing important deadlines. This may be the result of failure to calendar dates, procrastination and miscommunication. In some instances, if a deadline is missed, the case may be dismissed.
Other types of legal malpractice can occur when attorneys experience or engage in the following:
- Debilitating anxiety, stress or depression
- Overwhelming workload, taking on too many cases
- Failing to communicate with clients and fully understand the case
- Failing to properly research and investigate the case
- Failing to document work
- Engaging in fraud
Complete negligence may occur, where attorneys do not put in the time and effort to fully support the case. The lack of care and dedication can cause the
What are the potential damages?
First, you must determine whether the attorney has acted out of negligence. If the attorney did not provide at least the basic standard of care, they may have breached the duty of care. Not only can an error potentially injure your case, but it could make it difficult for people to try your care in the future.