The importance of choosing the right lawyer to run your case cannot be overstated. If your lawyer is not up to the task, the compensation you may receive is likely to be significantly less than the amount you would receive otherwise.
Worse yet, you may not receive any compensation at all! Choosing the right lawyer will not only maximise your compensation but also reduce the risk of your case going pear-shaped.
This applies to all areas of personal injury including motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, public liability claims, etc.
Whether or not you are satisfied with the service your lawyer has been providing may not become clear before the commencement of court proceedings. If you are dissatisfied, do not despair.
It is well within your rights to instruct alternative representation. Be aware, however, that there could be consequences should you change lawyers mid-race, so please read the costs agreement and any other relevant document carefully before instructing someone else.
At RZ Injury Lawyers we are regularly contacted by clients who are dissatisfied with the service provided by their lawyers.
Let’s look at some common reasons people decide to change lawyers:
- lack of regular case updates
- matter not progressing in a timely manner
- previous lawyer did not specialise in personal injury law
- lack of detailed advice or the provision of advice difficult to understand or follow
- poor communication including a lack of empathy
- lawyer does not return calls or emails
- case being progressed by unsupervised junior staff members
- lawyer does not seem to understand the case
- client feels compelled to accept a low offer
- high turnover of lawyers
Generally, when you instruct alternative representation and request for your file to be transferred to the new solicitors, you will be required to sign a document to confirm you will pay the previous lawyer’s fees at settlement. This is known as an irremovable authority and it is needs to be signed as your previous solicitors are allowed to exercise a lien over your file until you pay the outstanding fees in full.
Whilst the process of changing lawyers may be frustrating, you could be financially better off at the end of your claim. For example, your new personal injury lawyer may be more affordable, saving you a lot of money you would otherwise have to pay if you did not change lawyers.
What should you do if the fees charged by your former’s lawyers are excessive? In that situation, we will review their bill, request an itemised account and advise you as to the next steps. Again, it is well within your rights to negotiate your legal costs and therefore engaging in negotiations with your previous lawyer may resolve the issue.
How do I tell my lawyer that I wish to move on?
The request for the retainer to be terminated should be made in writing. You may wish to advise your lawyer by sending an email that you no longer wish to be represented by them, or simply ask your newly appointed solicitors to do for you.
By was of final comments, here are some reasons to choose RZ Injury Lawyers to run your case:
- We specialise in personal injury law and practice exclusively in that area
- No up-front or hidden fees
- No win, no fee,
- We offer capped fee guarantee
- We don’t bill per hour, so you don’t need to worry about contacting us on a regular basis
- At RZ Injury Lawyers you deal directly with senior solicitor Radek Zacharek, not a paralegal or a junior lawyer
- We are mobile and can meet you in a location of your choice – your home, hospital, etc.
- The first consultation (obligation-free) is always FREE
- We help you to fund your claim if you cannot afford to pay for medical reports and court filing fees
- Support on every step of your case – at RZ Injury Lawyers we know that injury claims might be stressful so we want to make sure that you can get our support whenever you need it, face to face, on the phone, or by email
- Is your case complex? No need to worry. At RZ Injury Lawyers we thoroughly enjoy running tricky cases!
DISCLAIMER
This article is intended for general information only and you should not act upon it or omit to act on the basis of anything contained herein without first obtaining legal advice in relation to any particular matter or issue.