Providence Legal Malpractice Lawyer
Recover Your Rights with The Help of My Firm
Facing a legal case can be stressful. Many clients are worried about the time, energy, and resources that are dedicated to the case. Often, they have never been involved with the law before and have many questions. They rely on the attorney they hire to guide them and provide reliable, thorough representation. Unfortunately, not every lawyer in every case lives up to that responsibility. In some situations, lawyers cut corners or simply make mistakes. When dealing with the law, though, even the simplest of mistakes can have serious, long-lasting consequences for a client. In these cases, the law allows clients to pursue action against their former attorneys to recover damages related to their original cases.
At Kiselica Law Firm, I understand that after a mishandled case, an inappropriate settlement or negative ruling, clients may feel frustrated and overwhelmed. They may dread the thought of finding a new lawyer to begin another round of legal action. My legal team and I believe every client deserves his or her fair day in court. As an experienced Providence legal malpractice lawyer, I am here to provide peace of mind, a clear plan forward, and the comprehensive representation that was previously lacking.
If you feel you have been a victim of legal malpractice, call me at 401-421-0300 to learn more about your rights. You may also fill out our online contact form for a prompt response from my legal team.
What Constitutes Legal Malpractice in Rhode Island?
Legal malpractice occurs when an attorney causes harm to his or her client through negligence, breach of contract, or breach of fiduciary duty. This means that a lawyer acts inappropriately with regard to the case, either through failing to perform reasonable duties or acting with the intent to harm the client.
It can be difficult to prove legal malpractice. Negative outcomes are not necessarily legal malpractice.
In order for a client to pursue a claim against a former attorney, he must show:
- Duty. An attorney-client relationship must have existed. This can typically be shown through a written contract, but there are cases where the actions of the attorney can imply a relationship.
- Breach. The lawyer must have failed in his duty to the client. The lawyer acted negligently, made a mistake in the case or did not perform as agreed.
- Causation. The conduct of the lawyer hurt the client, whether the case was lost, the settlement amount was inappropriate, or there was some other negative outcome.
- Damages. The client suffered a financial loss as a result of the lawyer’s actions. This could be actual money out of pocket or the loss of compensation that should have been awarded from the case.
Essentially, a person must show that her former lawyer made mistakes in handling her case, a case which would have been won if not for the attorney’s actions or inaction. As a result, the client lost money that would have been awarded.
Common Examples of Legal Malpractice
Legal malpractice is both avoidable by the attorney and incredibly frustrating for the client. In my over 40 years practicing the law, I have handled many of these cases. Often, it is simply my attention to detail and commitment to each client that enable me to protect the rights of my clients and obtain the compensation they deserved from the start.
Some common and easily avoidable causes of legal malpractice include:
- Failure to know or apply the law
- Inadequate discovery or investigation into the case
- Failure to meet a filing deadline
- Failure to obtain client consent
- Conflict of interest
Many times these cases come down to simple matters. The attorney was too busy or not familiar enough with the type of law to do what was necessary in a timely manner. Additionally, legal malpractice occurs in virtually every area of law. While personal injury cases are common sources of these complaints, I have handled legal malpractice matters related to real estate, divorce, income tax, and more.
If you’re unsure if your case falls into one of these categories or if you even have a case at all, don’t hesitate to contact me to learn more about your rights and the laws in Rhode Island.
Contact a Providence Legal Malpractice Lawyer for Help Today
While the thought of taking on another legal matter and finding another lawyer may seem intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. At Kiselica Law Firm, my team and I have a proven track record of success. In addition to my legal skill, I am a passionate and committed representative for my clients. Unlike some larger firms, I personally handle every case I take on. Clients can find the peace of mind and the confidence to pursue a legal malpractice case under my experienced direction. I know the way forward and can help fight for you.
Call a Providence legal malpractice attorney today at 401-421-0300. If you prefer, take a moment to fill out the online contact form for a prompt response.
