After suffering a slip and fall accident, many people rush to the nearest law firm to seek legal assistance. After beginning the legal process, many victims of slip and fall accidents realize that they are dissatisfied with the way their lawyers are handling their claims. The might begin asking themselves the following questions:
- Can I change my lawyer in the middle of a slip and fall accident case?
- Can I switch lawyers in the middle of a slip and fall case?
- How can I fire my lawyer and hire a new lawyer for my slip and fall accident?
Normandie Law Firm is a personal injury law firm dedicated to helping those affected by slip and fall accidents. Our experienced attorneys have spent many years successfully handling slip and fall claims and helping victims recover the compensation that they deserve. Have you already started your claim? Are you unhappy with the attorney you chose to handle your slip and fall claim? Are you wondering about how you could switch your attorney? In the following sections, you will find some information about switching your attorney to ensure that you are efficiently represented in your slip and fall case.
What Do You Need from an Attorney?
If you suffered a slip and fall accident, hiring an attorney can help you recover the compensation to which you are entitled. However, you cannot and should not hire the first attorney to which you speak. You must ensure that the attorney that you choose has the qualities of an attorney that can handle your claim successfully. During your search for a slip and fall attorney, consider the following qualities:
- Experience—you should search for an attorney with extensive experience in slip and fall claims. Often, victims settle for attorneys experienced in the generic personal injury claims category. However, slip and fall claims require a specific expertise that not all attorneys have.
- Understanding—when you speak with an attorney, you should feel comfortable explaining how your life has been affected by your slip and fall accident. Additionally, you should feel that the attorney understands the extent of your injuries’ affect on your life. If you do not feel a genuine interest from your attorney, you might want to reconsider.
- Communication—in client-attorney relationships, communication is key. You and your attorney should be able to communicate efficiently at all times. Many attorneys forget that their clients are not legal experts. If your attorney cannot translate legal jargon into language that you can understand, you might need a new attorney.
- Availability—does your attorney make him or herself available to you at all times? Can you reach your attorney at any time? Some attorneys make themselves available 24/7. Many attorneys are willing to rearrange their schedules to make time for their clients. If you always have difficulty meeting or speaking with your attorney, you should consider a substitution.
- References—when looking for an attorney, do not hesitate to ask about their history handling similar cases. Although attorneys will not reveal confidential information, they could summarize some case results to prove their competence.
- Fees—before you hire an attorney, fees should be discussed. If you do not agree with the fees, or if the fees are unclear, you should reconsider.
Why do people switch attorneys? Many people decide to fire their attorneys because they realize that many of the characteristics listed above are not present in their attorneys. Whether they are inexperienced in the specific type of claim, lack understanding, lack communication skills, or have little to no availability, switching attorneys might be the best option. Can I change my attorney in the middle of a case? Can I fire my lawyer in the middle of a slip and fall accident case? Can I hire a new lawyer in the middle of a case? The answer to those three questions is the same; yes, you can—and your ability to do so is protected by California law.
California’s Attorney Substitution Laws
What is the California law regarding hiring a new lawyer to represent me in a slip and fall accident case? California’s Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) states the California law regarding firing your slip and fall accident lawyer and hiring a new one. Both CCP§284 and CCP§285 explain the right that claimants have to switch their attorneys. According to CCP§284, an attorney can be changed at any time during a case with the consent of either the client and the attorney or the order of the court. Subsequently, there must be a written notice of substitution given to all parties involved based on CCP§285. As you can see, California law supports the substitution of attorneys as long as the proper processes are followed.
The Importance of Your Retainer Agreement
Are you still uncertain about whether you can fire your current attorney to hire a new one? If you are still unsure about your right to switch attorneys, you should take a look at your retainer agreement. In your retainer agreement, there should be a section explaining your right to discharge the attorney and the attorney’s right to withdrawal from the case. Often, retainer agreements clearly state that all fees become due as soon as the substitution is finalized. However, some attorneys—knowing that their clients cannot pay fees—agree to place a lien on any settlement that the client receives. Therefore, their fees are paid after the client wins his or her claim. If you have any additional questions, you should review your retainer agreement and speak with your attorney.
The Process to Switch Slip and Fall Attorneys
How do I switch to a new lawyer for my slip and fall case? How can I hire a new slip and fall accident lawyer if I am not happy with my current lawyer? If you are unhappy with the way in which your current attorney is handling your claim, you might have asked yourself the questions mentioned above. Many people believe that they have to instantly fire their attorney as soon as they become aware of their incompetence. Although it is normal to want to fire your attorney at the first opportunity, doing so could be counterproductive. If you are in the middle of a claim, do you think it is wise to be without legal representation? You should never be without a lawyer during your slip and fall claim; therefore, you must choose a new lawyer to replace your current lawyer before you fire him or her. How do you choose a new lawyer? Many law firms and attorneys offer free second opinions. These second opinions allow victims of personal injuries to get additional information about their claims from another attorney. Our law firm—Normandie Law Firm—offers free second opinions to all victims of slip and fall accidents. Our free second opinions, like the second opinions offered by other law firms, are designed to fill any informational gaps left by an incompetent attorney. You have the right to get as many opinions as necessary regarding your claim. After you have talked to a number of experienced attorneys, you could make a decision about who you want to take over your claim. Once you choose an attorney to take over your claim, the new attorney can often help with the rest of the process, which includes writing a notice of substitution and relaying it to all parties involved. As soon as the substitution is official, your new attorney can pick up your claim wherever your previous attorney left off. For more information about the process of switching slip and fall attorneys, you should contact our law firm as soon as possible.
Our Law Firm
Normandie Law Firm is a firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of the victims of personal injuries. Our personal injury attorneys have spent many years helping the victims of slip and fall accidents fight for their right to recover compensation. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident in a store, an office, or the street, for example, you have the right to file a claim and receive compensation for your injuries. If you are interested in taking action against the party liable for your injuries, you must contact Normandie Law Firm as soon as possible.
Normandie Law Firm is a personal injury law firm based on the idea that all victims should have access to legal assistance. Because of this belief, our law firm has always ensured that all victims of personal injury accidents have access to our legal assistance. Our law firm offers free consultations and free second opinions to all victims of slip and fall accidents. During your free consultation, our attorneys will answer all your questions and address all your concerns. Our experienced slip and fall attorneys will give you all the information you need to start a successful legal process. If you already have an attorney at another law firm, you might be interested in benefiting from a free second opinion. During our free second opinions, our attorneys will dispel any doubts and confusion left by your current incompetent attorney. Our experienced slip and fall lawyers will evaluate your claim and ensure that you receive the most relevant information about your claim. If you would like our attorneys to represent you, we will help you through the process of switching attorneys. To schedule a free consultation or a free second opinion, contact our law firm as soon as possible.
Our free consultations and free second opinions are available as part of our Zero-Fee guarantee. Our Zero-Fee guarantee ensures that our clients never have to worry about paying any upfront legal fees for any of our services. Our law firm is also strictly based on contingency; therefore, our clients are not required to pay any legal fees until our attorneys help them win their claims and recover compensation. If you do not win your claim, you will not be required to pay any fees. Do not hesitate to contact our law firm—our attorneys are ready to represent you.
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Los Angeles Slip and Fall Attorney
Los Angeles Specialized Slip and Fall Attorney
