Q: Is it legal for my accident lawyer to disclose if my case settled?
I'm 25..not a minor by any means. My mother called my attourney and asked for details about my case, which they told her had been settled. I didnt want her to know..its completely destroyed our relationship.
A:
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Often settlement agreements are "confidential" meaning there is language in your settlement agreement with the insurer and/or defendant that requires you and the lawyer not to disclose the terms of your settlement; except to a few types of people (bankers, tax advisors etc...). But if the terms of your settlement are not subject to a confidentiality agreement, then theoretically they can be "disclosed" with your approval.
You may have heard the term "attorney client privilege." This privilege limits much of what the attorney can say about his/her representation of you. You can tell the attorney you have literally murdered someone and he/she can't say a word about your admission. There are, of course, limitations to this privilege depending on the circumstances. Some matters, for example, are a matter of public record. If you have concerns about whether the privilege was violated, I would need more specifics about the disclosure and the proceedings in your case.
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