Holding Negligent Attorneys Accountable: Protect Your Rights with Experienced Legal Malpractice Lawyers in Lawrence County
When you hire a lawyer, you expect to receive competent and ethical legal representation. Unfortunately, not all attorneys live up to these expectations. Legal malpractice occurs when an attorney fails to perform their duties properly, resulting in harm to their client. If you have suffered losses because of your attorney’s negligence, you have the right to seek justice and compensation. At Tarasi & Tarasi, we are committed to helping clients who have been wronged by their legal representatives. If you believe you are a victim of legal malpractice, contact our experienced Lawrence County legal malpractice lawyers today for a free consultation.
What is Legal Malpractice?
Legal malpractice is a form of professional negligence. It occurs when an attorney fails to meet the standard of care expected in the legal profession, and their actions (or lack of action) result in harm to their client. Legal malpractice can take many forms, but it generally involves some combination of the following elements:
- The attorney owed the client a duty to provide competent representation.
- The attorney breached that duty by acting negligently or unethically.
- The breach of duty caused harm or financial loss to the client.
It’s important to note that legal malpractice doesn’t mean simply losing a case. An unfavorable outcome is not necessarily malpractice. However, if your lawyer’s mistakes or unethical actions led to your loss, you may have a valid claim. A Lawrence County legal malpractice lawyer can help you determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit.
Common Types of Legal Malpractice
Legal malpractice can arise in several different ways. Some of the most common forms include:
- Missed Deadlines: Every legal case involves critical deadlines. If your attorney fails to meet these deadlines, it can severely impact your case. For example, missing the statute of limitations could result in your case being dismissed.
- Failure to Communicate: Attorneys are required to keep their clients informed about their case. If your lawyer does not return your calls, respond to emails, or keep you updated on the progress of your case, they may be committing malpractice.
- Conflict of Interest: A lawyer must always act in their client’s best interest. If an attorney represents conflicting parties or puts their own interests ahead of their client’s, it is a breach of their duty.
- Inadequate Preparation: If your attorney fails to properly prepare for your case, whether it’s filing necessary paperwork, gathering evidence, or preparing for trial, they could be guilty of malpractice.
- Unethical Behavior: Attorneys are held to a high ethical standard. If a lawyer engages in dishonest or fraudulent behavior, it can harm their clients and lead to malpractice claims.
If you believe any of these situations apply to your case, you should speak with a legal malpractice attorney in Lawrence County, PA as soon as possible. Tarasi & Tarasi can review your case and help you understand your options.
Proving Legal Malpractice
Not every mistake by a lawyer amounts to legal malpractice. To prove a legal malpractice claim, four main elements must be established:
- Duty: The attorney had a legal duty to represent you in a competent and ethical manner.
- Breach: The attorney violated this duty by acting negligently, making errors, or acting unethically.
- Causation: The attorney’s actions (or inaction) directly caused harm or financial loss to you.
- Damages: As a result of the attorney’s negligence, you suffered damages such as losing a case, financial losses, or missed opportunities.
A Lawrence County legal malpractice lawyer from Tarasi & Tarasi can help you gather the necessary evidence and profesional testimony to prove each of these elements in your claim.
How Tarasi & Tarasi Can Help You
When you trust a lawyer to handle your legal matters, you expect them to act in your best interests. If they fail in their duties, it can leave you feeling frustrated, disappointed, and even financially harmed. At Tarasi & Tarasi, we understand how damaging legal malpractice can be. That’s why we are committed to holding negligent attorneys accountable.
Our firm has extensive experience handling legal malpractice cases. We understand the complexities involved in proving malpractice and have the resources needed to investigate your case thoroughly. We will work with you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Here’s why Tarasi & Tarasi should be your choice when seeking a legal malpractice attorney in Lawrence County, PA:
- Experience: We have years of experience handling complex legal malpractice cases and achieving successful outcomes for our clients.
- Local Knowledge: We are familiar with the legal environment in Lawrence County, which allows us to provide personalized and informed representation.
- Client-Centered Approach: At Tarasi & Tarasi, we prioritize our clients and their needs. You will receive personal attention and tailored advice throughout your case.
At Tarasi & Tarasi, we are dedicated to ensuring that attorneys who fail to uphold their professional duties are held accountable. With our experience, local knowledge, and client-focused approach, you can trust that we will fight for your rights and work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve. If you believe you have been a victim of legal malpractice, contact us today to discuss your case and take the first step toward justice.
The Legal Malpractice Claim Process
Filing a legal malpractice claim can be a complicated process. Here’s what you can expect:
- Initial Consultation: Your first step is to schedule a free consultation with a Lawrence County legal malpractice lawyer. We will listen to your story, evaluate your case, and determine if malpractice has occurred.
- Investigation: If we believe you have a valid claim, our team will begin investigating the details of your case. This may involve reviewing legal documents, interviewing witnesses, and consulting professional witnesses.
- Filing the Claim: Once we have gathered the necessary evidence, we will file the legal malpractice lawsuit on your behalf. This starts the legal process, and the opposing attorney will have a chance to respond.
- Litigation or Settlement: Depending on the specifics of your case, it may be resolved through a settlement negotiation or proceed to trial. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators, but we are also prepared to represent you in court if necessary.
Navigating a legal malpractice claim can be complex, but with the right guidance, you can seek justice for the harm caused by your attorney’s negligence. At Tarasi & Tarasi, we are committed to walking you through every step of the process, ensuring your case is handled with the care and attention it deserves. Let us fight for your rights and help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
Statute of Limitations for Legal Malpractice in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date you discovered or should have discovered the malpractice to file a lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you may lose the right to bring a claim against your attorney. For this reason, it’s crucial to act quickly if you believe you have been a victim of legal malpractice. Speak with a legal malpractice attorney in Lawrence County, PA to discuss your case and learn about your options before the statute of limitations expires.
Damages You May Recover in a Legal Malpractice Case
If you win your legal malpractice case, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, including:
- Compensatory Damages: These are intended to compensate you for the financial losses you suffered as a result of the malpractice. This may include lost settlements, missed opportunities, or additional legal fees.
- Non-Economic Damages: In some cases, you may be entitled to compensation for non-financial losses such as stress, emotional distress, or inconvenience caused by the malpractice.
- Punitive Damages: In rare cases, if the attorney’s conduct was especially egregious, the court may award punitive damages to punish the attorney and deter others from engaging in similar behavior.
Understanding the types of damages you may be entitled to is essential for ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve after experiencing legal malpractice. At Tarasi & Tarasi, our experienced team of Lawrence County legal malpractice lawyers will work diligently to recover the financial and emotional losses you’ve suffered, holding negligent attorneys accountable and helping you move forward with confidence.
