Statistics on Legal Malpractice
- Over 75,000 complaints against lawyers were investigated during 2009
- During 2009, 1,760 lawyers were privately sanctioned and 5,009 lawyers were publicly sanctioned
- One in ten legal malpractice claims is filed because the lawyer either failed to understand or failed to apply the law appropriately
- (All stats courtesy of: American Bar Association).
Involved in a Legal Malpractice Case?
When you hire a lawyer, you are trusting him or her with your future. You believe that your attorney understands the law, the he or she knows how to apply it to your case and that he or she will do everything possible to help you win. When lawyers fail to act in your best interest, you may be entitled to compensation. In such cases, you should speak to a qualified legal malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.
A lawyer with experience in legal malpractice cases may be able to help you in the following circumstances:
When your lawyer:
- Misunderstood the law or applied it incorrectly
- Didn’t plan correctly or failed to meet deadlines
- Didn’t investigate the case thoroughly
- Committed fraud
- Had a conflict of interest
- Made an error that negatively affected your case
What Does a Legal Malpractice Lawyer Do?
A lawyer with experience in legal malpractice cases may be able to help you win damages from the attorney at fault. If you hire such an attorney, he or she will investigate the case, review the associated paperwork and interview parties involved to determine whether legal malpractice occurred.
If your lawyer finds evidence of legal malpractice, he or she will file a lawsuit against your former attorney on your behalf. During the lawsuit, your legal malpractice attorney will represent you in proceedings, help you prepare for court and negotiate with the defendant’s legal team. At the end of the lawsuit, the court may award you compensation for any harm the defendant caused to your case, and it may also sanction the defendant publicly or privately.
In legal malpractice cases, there are, in essence, two cases in one. First, you must prove the lawyer committed malpractice. Then, you must prove the original case would have had a different result but for the malpractice of the lawyer.
Find a Legal Malpractice Lawyer
If you or someone you know was a victim of legal malpractice, contact a qualified attorney as soon as you can. Virtually everything within the law has some time limit. When choosing among the candidates in your area, remember to compare competency based on real experience. You can find useful statistics about lawyers on Injury Lawyer Database. If you need any additional information, feel free to contact our office for more assistance. We will be happy to help you find the right lawyer for your case.