WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR ATTORNEY IGNORES YOU

By Adam Urra

“I feel like my new lawyer is not fighting for me, what should I do?”

“My lawyer just won’t return my phone calls – it’s so frustrating!”
“My lawyer is not communicating with me, so I don’t even know what’s going on in my case.”

If you are currently involved in a lawsuit and have found yourself saying any of these things, it might be time to think about whether your attorney is really doing the job you hired him or her for.

Being the victim of someone else’s negligence is frustrating enough, but that experience becomes even more stressful when you have an attorney who is not doing their job.

Continue reading to learn what to do when your attorney ignores you or get in touch with Brain Injury Law Of Seattle immediately in order to set your legal matters in order as soon as possible.

Getting Ignored by Your Lawyers

What can I do if my attorney is not doing his job? There’s nothing more frustrating than when you’re dealing with a lawyer not doing his job.

When an individual is not sure what to look for in a Seattle personal injury attorney, they can be subject to unethical lawyer behavior without even realizing just how bad and unprofessional it is.

Most legal cases are very time sensitive and consequently getting a bad lawyer who doesn’t do their job can be detrimental to getting an adequate settlement or a satisfactory case outcome.

Read the following section to see how you can know if your attorney is doing their job or get in touch with the Brain Injury Law Firm to speak with a qualified legal team about your case.

IS MY ATTORNEY DOING THEIR JOB?

The Washington Rules for Professional Conduct governs the rules and responsibilities for the practice of law in Washington State. These rules lay out the duties, expectations, and obligations of lawyers in Washington. They can be a good place to start if you feel like your lawyer is not doing her job.

my lawyer is not fighting for me

What if my lawyer is not fighting for me?

An attorney has an obligation to advocate for their client and pursue their client’s interests despite “opposition, obstruction, or personal inconvenience” Comment 3 to WA Rule of Professional Conduct 1.3. Your lawyer should be diligent, persistent, and willing to fight for you.

What to do if your lawyer isn’t doing his job

The legal system can be complicated, and as a victim of someone else’s negligence, it is important to have someone who is capable of guiding you through the process, standing up to insurance companies and defense attorneys, and willing to take your case all the way to trial if necessary.

What can I do when my attorney ignores me?

Lawyers must inform and consult with their clients. Rule 1.4(3) of the Washington Rules for Professional Conduct requires a lawyer to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of the pending matter. Rule 1.4(4) requires a lawyer to promptly comply with her client’s reasonable requests for information. Attorneys should keep their clients informed and consult them regarding the status of the case.

While an attorney has the authority to make strategic decisions, their ultimate role is to advise the client. A client has the ultimate power to make decisions regarding resolution in the case. If you feel like your lawyer ignoring you, make sure you clearly document in phone calls and emails what you want them to do. Knowing what to do when your attorney ignores you is essential for you to proceed to the next steps. You can also consult the Washington Bar to seek their assistance in mediating the dispute.

If the behavior continues, it may be necessary to report them to the Washington Bar, and seek new counsel.

What can I do if my lawyer is not communicating with me?

Lawyers must always make all reasonable efforts to communicate with their clients. Failure to communicate is the biggest complaint clients have with their attorneys and the largest source of Bar complaints. If your lawyer lawyer ignoring you and is not responding to emails, this is highly unprofessional and should be reported to the bar if an effort to communicate regularly isn’t made.

Communication is necessary to build the attorney-client relationship, so that clients may feel informed and involved, and ultimately trust their lawyers.

The official comment to Rule 1.4 of the Rules for Professional Conduct clearly states that reasonable communication between lawyer and client is necessary for a client to effectively participate in the representation. If your lawyer is not communicating with you, try setting up a regularly scheduled time for you to speak with your lawyer, that way you can be assured of having time to speak to him. Email is also an effective way to stay in contact with your attorney and has the added bonus of documenting your correspondence.

Ultimately, if your personal injury lawyer is not communicating with you, you may have no choice but to find other counsel who will fulfill their professional responsibilities.

My lawyer lied to me

Honesty is at the core of the attorney-client relationship. Lawyers in Washington must swear an oath to act with truth and honor in the representation of a client. There is never an excuse for an attorney to lie to a client.

If you believe your attorney has lied to you, then you should seek to clarify the situation with him or her. If the explanation is not sufficient, you should strongly consider filing a grievance against the attorney and finding new representation that follows the rigorous ethical standards set for attorneys by the Washington Bar Association.

How do I know if my lawyer is good?

Perhaps the most frustrating feeling for a client is wondering if they have a good lawyer. Most people have very little experience with the legal system and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the deluge of commercials, billboards, and online advertisements. How can someone know if the lawyer they have hired is right for them?

SIGNS OF A GOOD LAWYER

SIGNS OF A GOOD LAWYER

Hiring the right lawyer is a personal decision, and only you can decide what is right for you. However, there are certain basic qualities that every decent lawyer should have and if you’re working with an attorney who lacks these, you should take this as a serious warning sign that something isn’t right.
Qualities that every attorney should possess include the following four sections.

Honesty and Dependability

Your lawyer should be consistent, dependable, and straightforward. An attorney must always do what they say they will in a prompt and timely manner as unreasonable delay may adversely affect the outcome of your case.

You should be able to know for certain that your attorney has you covered, will be on time, and won’t let you down when you’re depending on them the most.

Communication

Communication is vital in any relationship, especially between an attorney and their client.

Your attorney should be in touch with you to update you with any major occurrences in your case and be available through phone or email when you have questions or concerns. Lastly, your attorney should respond to your calls or emails in a reasonable and prompt period of time.

If you feel like your attorney is ghosting you or doesn’t prioritize communicating about your case regularly, you should consider getting a different attorney for your case.

Experience

Having experienced attorneys who understand the legal system is essential when you’ve suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence. Consider hiring an attorney who knows how insurance companies work, has credibility with doctors, and can be trusted to give you the best advice to guide you through an unfamiliar process.

If your case requires a specialized lawyer, don’t even consider opting for a general lawyer. One of the most advantageous things you can do for your case and your future is to get a lawyer who has experience and knowledge in the particular area of law that your case falls under.

Trust

Your relationship with your lawyer all boils down to trust. A good lawyer has your trust because they are straightforward, diligent, and competent.

Trust cannot be given, it must be earned through consistent and continuous performance. Trust must be the foundation of every attorney relationship, and that trust must be built on the idea that your attorney is willing to fight for you.

All of the above-mentioned qualities will help to build greater trust in your attorney so that you can feel assured throughout the entire legal process.

Useful Resource

Best Slip and Fall Attorneys
Head Injury Symptoms

WHY A GOOD ATTORNEY IS INDISPENSABLE

Why is it so important to hire an experienced attorney over a general attorney?

Often, victims of personal injuries or individuals in need of legal assistance may want to opt for the cheapest legal help available.
This is not wise as the quality of the legal help you enlist will play a huge role in determining the outcome of your case. Opting for the cheapest general attorney available could result in you not receiving a fair settlement offer or a lengthy, drawn-out court process.

Law is complicated and consequently, legal services reflect this with intimidating price tags. This is where you must weigh the cost and benefits of employing an experienced attorney over a general one. While experienced, reputable attorneys may come at a higher cost, they also have a more reliable track record and satisfied clients to vouch for their legal successes.

When you are facing legal challenges, the quality of the attorney by your side is absolutely determinant of how your case will proceed and how satisfied you will be when it’s over.

Don’t sacrifice your time, money, or legal situation by employing a subpar attorney, get the legal help that you need and deserve with a seasoned legal firm.

Related Articles

Road Rash Healing Process
What Sport Has The Most Injuries
PTSD From Car Accident

WHERE TO TURN

“My lawyer is not helping me, what should I do now?”

If you have been the victim of someone else’s negligence and are wondering if you have the right lawyer, contact the attorneys at Brain Injury Law of Seattle immediately.

Their experienced and dedicated staff is committed to working with you to ensure the best outcome of your case. If you have placed your case in the hands of a lawyer who has proven themselves to be unreliable and uncommunicative, we here at Brain Injury Law Of Seattle are here to help.

Only you can make these decisions about your case, so if you have concerns voice them and make sure you are heard. You deserve a lawyer who will fight for you and who you can trust and our experienced legal team wants to be the legal representation that you deserve.

Contact Brain Injury Law Of Seattle today to schedule your first consultation with a team of passionate, skilled legal professionals today.