If you were injured from a slip and fall, contacting a personal injury lawyer can help you obtain compensation from the responsible party. However, many people end up being dissatisfied with their attorney due to a number of problems, and as a result, they may start to ask themselves:
- Is it possible to switch my lawyer if I have an active slip and fall injury claim?
- If I already filed a lawsuit, is it too late to find a new slip and fall accident lawyer?
- How do I fire my current attorney and hire a new lawyer to take over my slip and all case?
Our law firm is dedicated to helping victims of accidents that are caused by negligence and misconduct. The slip and fall lawyers of Normandie have decades of going after negligent property owners and other entities that fail in their duty of care to the public. We know what it takes to secure the highest payout on behalf of injury victims, and we are more than ready to join you on the journey to recovery. Please take a moment to contact our office and schedule a free consultation.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
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Why Should You Hire an Attorney?
The truth is, you are completely within your rights if you wish to handle the claims process on your own. After all, there is no legal requirement in California that says you have to get an attorney for a lawsuit. However, navigating the legal system and obtaining a fair settlement is difficult for most claimants to achieve by themselves. At the end of the day, those who are represented by an attorney should look for the following qualities:
- Experience—it goes without saying that experience is critical to your success when it comes to a personal injury claim. Make sure to look for a lawyer with many years of experience in slip and fall cases and a proven track record of settlements and trial verdicts.
- Availability—no attorney can make themselves available to you 24/7, but they should always return your calls and emails in a reasonable time frame. Unfortunately, some lawyers stretch themselves too thin or lack the necessary time management skills.
- Communication—this goes hand in hand with availability, but it’s more specific to the way your attorney answers questions, provides updates, and addresses your concerns. Furthermore, a lawyer must have the ability to break things down and explain them in a way you can understand. Some clients also need lawyers that can speak languages other than English, which is not available at every law firm.
- References—to verify an attorney’s expertise with slip and fall lawsuits, you can ask for references of cases that were successfully resolved in the past.
- Legal Fees—a lawyer’s hourly fees and/or retainer should be clearly explained to the client. If you are hesitant about the fees or feel that the terms are unclear, you should probably look elsewhere for someone to handle your case.
Getting an attorney to begin with is one thing, but why would anyone look for a new one? For most people, it’s the realization that their current lawyer is lacking in one of more of the categories listed above. It may be lack of experience in a specific type of accident or too little time in the court room. Or, they may lack empathy and communication skills, which are essential to building trust between attorneys and clients.
These are just some of the issues that can cause you to look for another slip and fall lawyer. The good news is, it’s never too late to change lawyers for a slip and fall case, regardless of where you are in the legal process.
Attorney Substitution Laws in California
California laws allow you to find a new lawyer, even if you are in the midst of a lawsuit. Your right to fire a lawyer and find another one is explained in California’s Code of Civil Procedures 284 and 285. Under CCP 284, you can hire a lawyer to take over a pending claim at anytime, either at the client or attorney’s request. The change in counsel can also be ordered by the court system, though it’s more common for the client to terminate the working relationship with their attorney.
According to CCP 285, the notice of substitution for legal counsel must be expressed in writing and supplied to all the involved parties. Please feel free to give us a call if you would like more information on how to switch lawyers with a pending slip and fall case.
Understanding the Retainer Agreement
Reading over the retainer agreement you have with your lawyer is a crucial element when you are thinking of finding a new slip and fall injury lawyer. This agreement should have a section that explains your right to fire your attorney, as well as your lawyer’s right to stop representing you.
The retainer agreement may state that all fees that have accrued up until the point of termination are due as soon as the transference of your case is finalized. However, personal injury attorneys generally agree to work on contingency, which means they wait to claim a portion of your settlement instead of charging you upfront. If you hire a new lawyer to represent you during the claims process, it must be determined how much you owe your ex-attorney once you are paid by the negligent party. If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer agreement, seek help from an experienced slip and fall lawsuit attorney.
How to Switch Slip and Fall Attorneys
If you are unhappy with your lawyer for a slip and fall claim, you are probably eager to fire them and move onto someone else. But there is no need to fire your legal representative right away, nor should you act on an impulse when it comes to your legal rights. For one thing, you are leaving yourself at risk of being without an attorney and causing delays and interruptions in your case. The key is to ensure that finding a new law firm is the best course of action. In addition, you want the transition to be as smooth as possible, thereby avoiding problems that can slow down your case or result in your claim being invalidated.
The first step we recommend is to contact us for a free second opinion. This way, you can obtain an honest assessment of what’s going on with your case and decide if it’s worth it to hire a new fall accident attorney. Then, you can learn how to sever the contract with your current law firm in a manner that’s compliant with your contract. Our office provides free consultations for those with pending slip and fall claims, meaning you lose absolutely nothing by taking some time to speak with us.
The Fall Accident Lawyers of Normandie
Slip and falls are exceedingly common at all sorts of properties, including shopping malls, supermarkets, hospitals, restaurants, apartment buildings, offices, public parks, and even people’s homes. The damage to your body and mind can be excruciating, and many victims are left with bills they cannot afford to pay. That’s why going after the liable entity and suing for compensation is the right strategy for most people who are injured in a slip and fall incident.
As a contingency-based law firm, we do not ask for a retainer or any other fees upfront. The cost of hiring us is paid by the party that harmed you, and only if we succeed in negotiating a settlement or obtaining a favorable jury verdict. In essence, if you don’t get paid from a slip and fall lawsuit, neither do we.
To learn more about the Zero Fee Guarantee and all the other ways we can help you, please schedule a free case review.
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Los Angeles Slip and Fall Attorney
Los Angeles Specialized Slip and Fall Attorney
