Will my Case Take Longer to Settle if I Switch Lawyers?

As someone with an existing injury claim in the state of California, you have the right to find a new lawyer at any stage of the legal process. You have the right to switch lawyers whether you paid upfront or you signed a contingency agreement, meaning your attorney has waived their fee in lieu of taking a percentage of your settlement at the end of your case.

So, that’s the good news: if you’re unhappy with your current lawyer, there’s nothing to stop you from finding a new one. However, any decision you make in life has consequences, and it may have occurred to you that starting over with a new lawyer may cause delays in your case. This is the last thing you want as someone that is waiting to get paid from an injury claim, whether you had a slip and fall or had an accident at work.

If you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, seeking compensation through a personal injury claim is often crucial to getting back on your feet. But what happens if the first lawyer you hired to represent you isn’t doing what he or she promised, or if you simply feel like that firm is no longer the right fit for you?

When you have lost faith in your attorney and feel they don’t have your best interest at hear, you have the right to find a new lawyer to represent you. If you have questions or concerns about the process of finding a new personal injury lawyer, contact our office today and schedule a free consultation.

Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements

Will My Car Accident Case Take Longer to Settle if I Change Lawyers?

No, your car accident lawsuit or any other injury claim will not take longer to settle just because you found a new lawyer to handle your case. Yes, there are instances where changing lawyers is unwise, as your current attorney is doing everything within reason to bring about a successful resolution to your case. Of course, you still have the option of finding a new legal representative if you are unhappy. But it’s important to weight the pros and cons and ensure that you are making an informed choice.

It’s worth noting that firing your lawyer may be worth it, even if it’s likely to increase the amount of time it takes to settle your lawsuit. For instance, if your lawyer is engaging in unethical conduct or they are clearly lacking in experience or dedication, your chance for a successful outcome may be significantly compromised. Thus, starting over with a new law firm is a way of saving yourself from an inadequate settlement or losing your right to sue altogether.

If I Switch to Another Law Firm, will my Workplace Injury Case Take Longer to Settle?

This is another popular misconception when it comes to switching lawyers in the middle of an injury claim. Workers’ compensation claims involve completely different procedures than personal injury lawsuits, so it’s important that the attorney you choose has many years of experience in work-related injuries.

This is particularly important if you are eligible for a WC claim as well as a third party lawsuit, which means someone other than your employer is responsible for the harm you suffered. Here at Normandie, we have a team of legal experts with decades of experience in both of these areas. We are ready to help you prevail in a work accident injury claim, no matter where you are in the legal process.

Here’s What You Should Know about Changing Lawyers

Our attorneys will provide you with a detailed explanation of the pro and cons you need to consider before you change lawyers for a personal injury case or workers’ compensation claim. However, here are some points you should always keep in mind:

• You are allowed to terminate your contract with an attorney at any time, for any reason.
• Make sure to review your contract and fee agreement with your lawyer to ensure that you understand what will happen if you take your case to a new law firm. You may be confused about some of the terms in your agreement, but rest assured that we can help you with anything you don’t understand.
• Decide whether you want to fire your lawyer before you hire someone else, or sign on with a new attorney first. As a general rule, it’s easier to find a new lawyer and let them contact your previous attorney, so they can work out a payment agreement (how they will split the legal fee once your new lawyer recovers your settlement). The new law firm will also handle all aspects of the transfer process so you don’t have to speak to your previous lawyer or go through the hassle of retrieving your case file.

As long as you are working with an experienced personal injury law firm, there shouldn’t be any serious delays in your case. No matter what, remember that your lawyer works for you, and you not stuck with a legal representative that you are dissatisfied with. Having said that, it’s important that you have a valid reason to terminate your lawyer’s representation in your lawsuit.

Reasons for Switching Your Lawyer

At the end of the day, it’s up to you to end your attorney’s services if you are not happy with them. There is no time limit on when you can do this, so you should take the time to obtain a second opinion from another legal expert. Reasons that merit a change in counsel include, but are not limited to:

• There are communication issues, like not getting timely responses from your lawyer or being ignored altogether. Even if you have made it clear to the secretary, paralegal, etc., that it’s urgent, your attorney fails to respond to your request for communication.
• Your lawyer has a tendency to miss deadlines, which is causing significant delays. This is a very serious issue, as it can cause your case to be dismissed by the court.
• Your lawyer makes errors like spelling mistakes, putting incorrect information on paperwork, or is unprepared for important meetings. A sloppy or disorganized attorney makes you look bad in general, but the bigger concern is how they can jeopardize a settlement agreement or another crucial aspect of your lawsuit.
• While they are putting in the time and effort, it’s clear that your lawyer is not experienced enough to handle your case. There are cases where the complexities involved require an attorney with specific skills and resources.

How can I be Sure that Firing my Lawyer is the Right Decision?

Asking “Should I fire the attorney that’s handling my injury case?” is fairly common among those who are waiting for compensation from an accident claim. Frankly, the legal process can be slow and frustrating, even in cases where it’s clear that you are the victim of negligence by another party. However, plenty of cases go stagnant with no results month after month, and it’s possible that your lawyer is the problem.

Ultimately, the right to change lawyer is completely in your hands. But how and if it will help your case to find new representation is a subject we will need to discuss with you in person. That’s why we would like to invite you to a free second opinion consultation. During this meeting, a personal injury lawyer specializing in your type of accident will evaluate your claim and the issues you are having with your attorney. Then, we will present you with an honest assessment of your rights and legal options. The consultation is 100% free of charge, and there is no pressure to transfer your case to our law firm.

To schedule a free second opinion with our legal experts, contact our law firm today.

No Upfront Costs When You Switch to Our Law Firm

At Normandie Law Firm, we have a Zero Fee Guarantee policy that makes it possible for you to hire a lawyer for $0. Legal fees are collected at the end of your case as a percentage of the compensation you receive from the defendant. And if you don’t get paid from a clam that was handled by our law firm, you won’t be charged a single penny in legal fees.

The Zero Fee Guarantee applies to you, even if you are switching to us from another law firm. Once you agree to hire us, we will file the necessary paperwork with the court and make arrangements to terminate your agreement with your current attorney. We will also negotiate a payment arrangement to ensure that your lawyer is paid for their work upon the recovery of your settlement. All of this is done at no cost to you, and you still have the assurance of knowing that we only get paid by winning your case.

If you’re ready to speak with a lawyer at our office during a free case review, give us a call at your earliest convenience.