Miami Legal Malpractice Attorney
When a client loses their case, they may unjustly allege a breach of contract, negligence, or breach of fiduciary duty against their attorney. While most malpractice claims lack merit, they must always be taken seriously—even if you are confident that your actions were correct. If you are facing a legal malpractice claim, your professional reputation and career could be at risk. It’s crucial to seek immediate assistance from an experienced Miami legal malpractice attorney at Pike & Lustig, LLP. Don’t face this challenge alone—our team is here to protect your interests and guide you through this difficult process.
Common Reasons Attorneys Face Legal Malpractice Suits
In order for a former client to successfully sue their past attorney and win that lawsuit, they must be able to show that:
- Their attorney breached their duty by making a careless mistake, not knowing the law, or breaching their fiduciary duty; and
- The error made caused financial harm.
The number of claims against attorneys has been rising in recent years, according to The Hartford, and some of the most common reasons that attorneys face lawsuits from their clients include the following:
- Negligence – Attorneys who are unprepared for a case risk not only losing but also facing a potential lawsuit from their client. If a client can prove that the attorney failed to understand or apply the law, made strategic mistakes, or conducted inadequate investigations, they may have grounds for a legal malpractice claim.
- Breach of Confidentiality – According to the American Bar Association, “an attorney shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent.” By discussing the client’s case with others, an attorney can seriously jeopardize their career and face disbarment.
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty – An attorney’s fiduciary duty is to do what is in their client’s best interest. For example, if an attorney was able to settle for $100,000 in a personal injury case but somehow negotiated for less than that, they would be in breach of fiduciary duty.
- Professional Misconduct – Any unethical or illegal conduct can be considered professional misconduct by an attorney. This includes overbilling, conflicts of interest, failing to disclose information, making false statements, or refusing to represent someone based on a protected trait, among other actions.
- Missing a Deadline or Failing to File – Failure to file on time and failure to file even when there is no deadline are both serious mistakes. Whether an attorney did not know of a deadline or failed to meet a deadline by procrastination, they could be held financially responsible for their client’s losses.
- Making an Administrative Error – Administrative errors are much more common than professional misconduct or breach of duty. Being bad at paperwork can land even an experienced attorney in hot water.
Call a Miami Legal Malpractice Attorney Today
The Miami legal malpractice attorneys at Pike & Lustig, LLP have the experience to protect your reputation and career from disgruntled clients or others who may harm your firm. Contact us today at (305) 985-5281 for assistance.
