Will I Have To Pay Twice if I Fire My Current Lawyer?

You will not have to pay twice if you fire your current Lafayette personal injury lawyer. Instead, all of your attorneys will split the fee you have agreed to pay your attorney. It is generally up to each of your lawyers to agree on a split of the percentage.

Because you face no additional financial risk when you hire a new lawyer, you should not hesitate to fire an ineffective law firm. There are several reasons you may decide to hire a new lawyer.

Why a Client Would Fire Their Personal Injury Lawyer

A contract with a personal injury lawyer is not a lifetime contract. No attorney should make false promises or take their client for granted, but this, unfortunately, happens in our industry. Some transgressions serious enough that you may fire your lawyer, including:

• Failing to communicate: There are several factors outside of an attorney’s control, but communication is not one of them. At the very least, your attorney should provide their personal phone number, respond promptly to your calls, texts, and emails, and provide regular case updates (especially when a case hits a standstill). 
• Encouraging you to take action (or not take action) that you disagree with: If your vision for your case and your lawyer’s advice do not align, this may be grounds to terminate your relationship. This is especially true when an attorney is pressuring you to accept a lowball settlement, which indicates the lawyer is not willing to take your case to trial.
• A feeling that your case is not important: If you feel that your law firm is not prioritizing your case for any reason, it is a significant problem. Poor communication, dismissal of your requests or concerns, and unexplained delays in your case may lead you to fire your current lawyer.
• Lack of respect for you: If your lawyer or other representatives of a law firm do not show you respect, you should seriously consider moving to a different firm. Disrespect takes many forms, and there is no excuse for a law firm to make their client feel unimportant.
• Seeming unprepared or unqualified to lead your case: If you simply lack confidence that your law firm is capable of obtaining the financial recovery you seek, you should consider firing them.

It is critical that you know you can switch attorneys without facing financial penalties. You owe it to yourself to prioritize your case, and finding a new law firm may be necessary to obtain the money you are entitled to.

Hiring the Right Attorney Is the Key to Your Case’s Success

Whether you are seeking compensation for an injury, illness, or wrongful death, your choice of lawyer is a pivotal one. Your lawyer’s skill, preparedness, and experience may be the most important factors in your case’s outcome.

If you have any reason to doubt your current lawyer, weigh the possibility of firing them. Changing lawyers may be especially wise if you:

1. Have voiced your concerns to your current law firm, but they have not been adequately addressed
2. Feel strongly that your current firm is not capable or willing to handle your case the right way

Our firm offers many personal injury attorneys who are passionate about client service. We take cases to court on a regular basis, and our clients never question that their case is important to us.

Criteria for Hiring a Lawyer (So You Won’t Have to Fire Them)

If you have yet to hire a personal injury lawyer, we want you to make the right choice the first time. When choosing a law firm, consider:

• Case results: Consider both the size of the financial recoveries the firm has obtained, as well as the types of cases the firm has handled. If a firm has several large recoveries in the same case type as yours, this is a positive sign.
• Client testimonials: Google is a strong resource for discovering how clients feel about a law firm. Look for a firm (like ours) that has overwhelmingly positive reviews from current and former clients.
• The firm’s location: If a law firm has an office in or near your city (or the city where the case will take place), this is good. Being near you will allow the firm to gather evidence without delay. The firm may also be familiar with the courts, civil defense attorneys, and insurers in your city.
• The firm’s fee structure: Most personal injury firms use contingency fees. However, before hiring a law firm, ask what percentage of your financial recovery the firm will receive. 
• The number of attorneys working for the firm: The more attorneys working for a firm, the more financial resources the firm may have to invest in your case. A large firm like ours can still provide personalized legal service, and our substantial resources may help us build a strong case.

Also, complete free consultation with prospective law firms. These are virtual or phone-based meetings that allow you to ask questions and hear a firm’s reasoning for why you should hire it.

What Damages Should I Expect My Lawyer to Get Compensation For?

When you hire an attorney (or change law firms), you expect your lawyer to obtain compensation covering your recoverable damages. Depending on your case type, recoverable damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Diminished earning power (and any other professional damages)
• Treatment for mental health problems
• Rehabilitation
• Property expenses
• Damages caused by a wrongful death

Your lawyer will work with you, speak with doctors, and rely on their own experts to calculate your damages. Our firm always aims for our client’s complete financial recovery.

Call Laborde Earles for Attorneys Who Care

Our lawyers and paralegals go the extra mile in the service of our clients. You will have no doubt that your lawyer is prioritizing your case. Our legal team will work hard to secure compensation as soon as possible.

Call Laborde Earles today for your free consultation. Do not wait to call, as we want to start (or take over) your case as soon as possible without any upfront costs.