Firing your California personal injury attorney

keyboard legal scale and woman's hand turning a page with caption personal injury law

Whenever you are working to settle your personal injury case – whether it be car accident, slip and fall, dog bite, wrongful death, or other accident related injury – the hope is that you will find the right lawyer to support you. Unfortunately, you may not initially find a good fit. You have every right to fire your personal injury attorney regardless of where you are in the process, from days to months in. 

If you do decide to fire your lawyer, it is important to take precautions to ensure that the process is smooth and seamless. Once you have made the decision to discharge your current lawyer, it is best to retain another attorney prior to the formal discharge. You do not want to fire your current lawyer without having someone else lined up, leaving you with nobody on your side. You can get a second or third opinion and interview around before choosing a replacement. Once you have done so, your new lawyer will contact your prior lawyer and advise them of your decision. 

When you retain a new lawyer in a personal injury case, the fees will not increase—instead, when the case settles, your new lawyer will negotiate with and pay your previous lawyer out of the legal fees. Therefore, if you are dissatisfied with your prior lawyer for any reason, there is no financial penalty to you for retaining a new lawyer. The original fees are divided between your new lawyers.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident and are unhappy with your current lawyer for any reason, please contact Kauffman and Associates for a complimentary consultation. No case is too big or small. We can help ensure you obtain appropriate medical care and receive the maximum financial settlement possible for your pain and suffering.