The Impact of Legal Malpractice on Clients
Attorneys play a vital role in protecting the rights and interests of individuals and businesses alike, and when they don’t do their job, it can have a devastating impact on their clients and the justice system at large.
Ross Sears II and the lawyers who sue lawyers from Sears Crawford are here to discuss the significant damage that clients can suffer if their attorneys commit legal malpractice.
If you or a loved one have been harmed due to your previous attorney’s legal malpractice, call Ross at 713-223-3333 today to discuss your case, and begin the process of recovering what you deserve.
What is legal malpractice?
Any discussion about the impact of legal malpractice must start by defining what exactly attorney malpractice is. So, what is legal malpractice?
Legal malpractice occurs when a lawyer “acts, or fails to act” how a reasonable and prudent lawyer would act under the same or similar circumstances; AND that act or failure to act causes harm to the client.
Not every lawyer mistake gives rise to a claim for legal malpractice, but if your lawyer screwed up your case and caused you financial harm, you may have a legal malpractice claim against your attorney.
What is an example of legal malpractice? To read more about the specific types of attorney malpractice and some more common examples of how they are committed, read our article Most Common Types of Legal Malpractice in Texas.
How are clients negatively affected by legal malpractice?
Legal malpractice can have a profound effect on clients that range from the immediate and apparent difficulties associated with losing a case that you should have won to the far-reaching repercussions that can impact your retirement, your income, your business, your assets, your reputation, and possibly your quality of life.
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Financial and material loss
One of the most immediate impacts of attorney malpractice on clients is the financial and material loss associated with the loss of a case. Whether your attorney missed deadlines, failed to know or apply the law, or negotiated an unfavorable settlement without your consent, this type of legal malpractice will first and foremost impact you financially. Depending on the nature of the initial case, your attorney’s negligence could result in you losing out on money or assets. In some cases, you may even miss opportunities that were reduced by the loss of the case, with repercussions that can affect your livelihood and your future.
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Damage to careers and reputations
Your attorney’s malpractice can tarnish your personal and professional reputation. The public won’t know exactly what your attorney did to screw up your case. All they will know is that you lost your case and they will likely assume the judgment of the court to be sound. This can hinder your career, affect your professional connections and personal relationships, and result in a hit to your reputation that has often been a lifetime in the making.
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Denial of justice
The principle of the matter cannot be overlooked. Denial of the justice that you seek can be as damaging as any financial loss suffered. The difference between a case lost and won often goes far beyond what was at stake in the original case, and legal judgments can often impact future legal proceedings, future opportunities, and myriad personal and professional connections.
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Psychological or emotional distress
Whether you want to admit it or not, the psychological pressure that comes with an attorney committing legal malpractice and ruining your case can take an immense toll. Your attorney should be there to alleviate this stress and operate as a trusted and zealous advocate for your rights. When lawyers fail to do so, their clients now face the distress caused by their lawyer’s negligence as well as the full weight of the legal issues that they now face alone.
Can you sue for legal malpractice in Texas?
Yes! Those wondering what to do if your lawyer is not helping you will be relieved to hear that if your lawyer committed malpractice then you may be able to sue them.
How do I prove legal malpractice in Texas?
If you want to successfully sue your lawyer for malpractice in Texas, your attorney will need to prove the following:
- There was a duty of care owed to you, the client;
- That duty was breached by your attorney;
- That breach resulted in harm to you, the client.
Can you sue for breach of contract? Yes, but only under certain circumstances. You will need to contact an experienced legal malpractice attorney to advise you on the merits of such a claim. To give yourself the best shot, make sure that you hire an attorney who has handled many successful legal malpractice cases, and is Board Certified in handling such cases.
The impact of legal malpractice on clients can be severe. Sears Crawford is here to help you recover your losses.
Legal malpractice can mean more than just financial loss to clients as it can pose a threat to their opportunities, quality of life, and overall well-being. Clients are the ones who are hurt the most by lawyers who don’t hold themselves to the high standards of the legal profession.
This is why Ross Sears II and the attorneys at Sears Crawford do what they do. Ross has been suing lawyers in Texas for over 30 years to uphold the integrity of his profession and help his clients recover what they deserve.
If you need a legal malpractice attorney in Houston, you need to call Ross Sears at Sears Crawford. He is a Board Certified and award-winning attorney who will fight to right the wrongs and bring justice to your case.
We sue lawyers in Houston and across the great state of Texas and are here to help you bring your case to a much-deserved resolution. Call Ross at Sears Crawford today at 713-223-3333 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
More Helpful Articles by Sears Crawford:
- How To Choose the Best Legal Malpractice Attorney for Your Case
- Types of Damages in a Legal Malpractice Case
- Can I Sue My Lawyer for Losing My Lawsuit?
- When To File an Ethics Complaint Against a Lawyer vs When To Sue Them
- Negligence vs Malpractice: What is the Difference?