Despite your best efforts to choose the best attorney for your personal injury case, you’ve decided that you want to move on and work with a different firm. Are you allowed to fire your personal injury lawyer mid-case, or could that jeopardize your injury claim? We explain what you should do in the event that you believe you need to fire your lawyer and continue your case with a different firm.
Getting A Different Personal Injury Lawyer
Maybe you’re feeling like your lawyer is rushing you to settle, or maybe you’re just not happy with the lack of communication from their office. There are a number of reasons why you may want to change lawyers in the middle of your personal injury case. But if you’re going to do so, we recommend that you follow these three steps.
1. Try To Work It Out – If you’re wishing to change lawyers because of a misunderstanding, try to work it out with your lawyer. Changing lawyers can delay your case, so if it’s something you can avoid, you should try to work it out. The Minnesota State Bar Association recommends that your first step when considering switching lawyers is to voice your concerns to your current lawyer and set clear expectations. Many times this can correct and issue, but if you’re still dealing with problems after expressing your concerns, it’s time to begin the process of finding another lawyer.
2. Find A New Lawyer Before Firing The Current One – Before you march into your lawyer’s office and tell him that he’s fired, make sure you have a new lawyer in place. Not only will this help to prevent any delays in your case, but it will also allow your new attorney to understand the concerns you had with your original lawyer. Make sure you have a new firm in place ready to take over before you fire your lawyer to reduce the risk of something getting missed involving your case during the transition.
3. Inform Them In Writing – The final step in the process is to inform your first lawyer that you will no longer need their services and that you’re moving forward with a different lawyer. Another reason why it’s beneficial to already have a new lawyer picked out is that oftentimes they can help draft a letter explaining why you’re moving forward with new representation and where your old lawyer can send all the information regarding the case. Your previous lawyer may not send over every document they’ve prepared, but they are required by law to send all files and paperwork that they didn’t specifically create to your new lawyer. If you are professional about the transition, there’s a good chance your previous lawyer will be too.
If you’re trying to move on from your old representation and are looking for a new firm to handle your case going forward, reach out to the experienced lawyers at Hey Workers. We’ve handled similar transitions in the past, and we can ensure that nothing gets lost or delayed when switching lawyers. For more information, contact our office today.
