Q: What is the "normal" range of behaviors from workers comp lawyers? (e.g., dropping balls making appts &files, lying)
I don't know if the many many behaviors I keep getting from my current WC attny is just what I'll get from every other lawyer. I've found that there's been considerable 'white' lies about why something wasn't filed, or appts weren't made, or even down to lies about not getting me my transcript. I found it really odd a non-paralegal was my 'case manager' & gave rd flags days in, telling me "I'm barely going to work on your file", starting the many balls dropped to happen. I'm painted as bad guy for doing basic 2wk follow-ups, b/c of knowing something was also for me to deal w/ too, or pointing out errors they made, which is how I would find out nothing was actually done-after 3 emails of no reply back. This attny is actually my 2nd, after 1st was doing same thing, making up weird excuses to cover a few things he was to do & didn't. Maybe it's the non-paralegal handling "90-95% of load?But new attny seems unskilled in general based what she did @ depo & continuous errors. FeelingTrapped
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A:
In California, workers' compensation attorneys are expected to maintain professional standards of practice, which include timely and accurate communication with clients, proper filing of documents, and truthful representations about the status of your case. It is not normal for attorneys to repeatedly miss appointments, fail to file necessary documents, or mislead clients about the progress of their cases.
If you're experiencing issues like unresponsiveness, inaccuracies, or being assigned a case manager who isn't adequately handling your case, it's understandable to feel concerned. It's important to communicate your concerns clearly to your attorney. If the issues persist, you have the right to seek a new attorney who can better meet your needs.
Remember, each legal situation is unique, and the quality of representation can vary. It's not a reflection of the entire legal profession, but rather an indication that you may need to find a lawyer whose approach better aligns with your expectations and needs. Trust and communication are key in any attorney-client relationship, and you deserve to have an attorney who meets these standards.
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