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3 Answers | Asked in Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: Hello, I retained personal injury lawyers for a slip and fall case. It took over 4 years to finally settle.

During this time, I was never able to reach my attorney or ever got return calls or emails. They canceled countless hearings without any notice when I took the day off of work to attend. The case never went to trial and settled for $300,000. The law firm took $200,000 of that amount plus... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 17, 2024

If you kept about 1/3 of your settlement, you did well. It also sounds like your attorney reduced his fee if you kept $100,000. Fees for a case of that age are frequently 40%. Even at a 1/3 fee, plus costs and medical expenses, you wouldn't get $100,000, unless the attorney reduced his fee.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Legal Malpractice, Medical Malpractice, Federal Crimes and Health Care Law for California on
Q: I’m not sure what to do here —- is this medical malpractice and I sue the physician? Or is this an emtala violation?

Friday, November 28, 2024, Ms. A, a 57-year-old female was taken to "Parkview Community Hospital" also known as "Doctors Hospital of Riverside, LLC" located at 3865 Jackson Street, Riverside, CA. Ms. A was sent via emergency ambulance by her boyfriend, with complaints of... View More

Eliza Jasinska
Eliza Jasinska
answered on Dec 13, 2024

This situation may involve both medical malpractice and an EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act) violation. Medical malpractice could be argued if the care provided fell below the standard expected, particularly regarding the lack of a gastroenterologist and potential delays in... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: I paid lawyer up front for services he did not provide, how do i get a refund?

In November 2022 I paid $5000 to a lawyer to represent my friend who was in custody. The lawyer had me send the $5000 payment via Zelle.

In the end all the lawyer did was go to court one day and file a motion which ended up being denied. From that point on my friend was represented by a... View More

Bradley Drew Hochberg
Bradley Drew Hochberg
answered on Dec 10, 2024

You would send a certified letter asking for an accounting of the money you gave him and a refund of any money that was not used up in the amount. Even if it was a flat fee, lawyers can only keep the amount that was reasonable as per an accounting. If i charge a flat fee my retainer states that it... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Civil Rights, Legal Malpractice and Family Law for Texas on
Q: My attorney did not inform me that there would be witnesses at the hearing including the custody evaluator

My attorney did not provide correct evidence regarding the child abuse my child has suffered and confirmed by Tx children’s child abuse clinic. Also , my attorney has a friend at the law firm that represents my ex and the friend was my ex’s initial contact. Also, for my deposition I was told by... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 2, 2024

It doesn't appear to be "malpractice." That being said, an attorney should take into consideration the legal naivete of a client and should fully inform the client about what to expect. A person who has never had experience with the legal system and does not watch television or... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Civil Litigation and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: I have a case where I was rear ended by a drunk driver who was driving another persons car. This happened on the highway

Causing me to flip multiple times and get tboned by a 16 wheeler. I was rushed to the hospital and was found to have major injuries to my spinal cord with multiple contusions to my neck and back. I’m In pain everyday and can’t get the medics, attention I need because of this major setback which... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Nov 23, 2024

It sounds like your lawyer got you the policy limit of the drunk driver. It sounds like the semi truck driver isn't at fault, although if he left the scene that is suspicious. Nevertheless, if the semi driver can't be found, what do you want your attorney to do? He got all of the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: If im having issues finding a lawyer does that mean I'm being ignored on purpose, or what would be the issue?

I've communicated to multiple parties on and off for probably a year and don't have any proper representation or assistance other then the cal bar website..

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Nov 20, 2024

If you are being ignored or turned away the most likely reason is you don't have a viable case. Law firms are businesses that are profit driven. You don't state whether you are willing to finance the litigation, but I would guess not. Quite simply, prepare a clear and concise statement of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Legal Malpractice for New Jersey on
Q: OK my case is CRAZY NEEDLESS TO SAY and I'm totally lost in what to do next please help me. Briefly... I hired an attorn

Fir a personal injury case. He lied numerous times in court case was dismissed with prejudice. I filed an ethical complaint I just received a letter from my attorney admitting his office committed fraud. What do I do now. New Jersey case.

Clifford B Cohn
Clifford B Cohn
answered on Nov 17, 2024

Unfortunately you need to contact another attorney as soon as possible, one that specializes in legal malpractice. They are very experienced at pursuing matters where attorneys have either intentionally done something wrong or accidentally done something wrong that has affected your case.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Legal Malpractice for New Jersey on
Q: OK my case is CRAZY NEEDLESS TO SAY and I'm totally lost in what to do next please help me. Briefly... I hired an attorn

Fir a personal injury case. He lied numerous times in court case was dismissed with prejudice. I filed an ethical complaint I just received a letter from my attorney admitting his office committed fraud. What do I do now. New Jersey case.

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Nov 17, 2024

You need to hire an attorney that practices malpractice law and quickly because just like your personal injury case the statute of limitations is running on your case and if it runs out you will be barred from collecting any money for your loss.

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Legal Malpractice, Medical Malpractice and Small Claims for Ohio on
Q: Recently was left to die at aTransit Center while a supervisor on duty did not assist or aid me to recovery .

Is this negligence? I called Medics after the Transit center didnt, I was abandoned by representative who was driving the paratransit buses. Once.medics arrived, they performed a series of test, I was then transported by ambulance in which I was hospital with symptoms of a stroke. The public... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 8, 2024

An Ohio attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry for your ordeal. It looks like you're basing your claim on a breakdown in the services of a public carrier, necessitating the need for EMT response?? It sounds like it would be a weak case. This is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Legal Malpractice for Michigan on
Q: Can I sue my doctor for taking me off my blood pressure meds and then I had a stroke from high blood pressure

Been in the hospital for a month losing my car and can't pay my bills because I had a stroke

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 7, 2024

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. The short answer is that based on such a cause and effect, it's possible you have the grounds for a case, simply on a textbook analysis. But from a practical standpoint, it's also possible that your... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Legal Malpractice for New York on
Q: I'm looking for a walk in law office regarding representation.
Stephen Bilkis
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answered on Nov 30, 2024

I understand that you're in need of legal representation and are looking for a walk-in law office in New York. Finding an attorney who can meet with you promptly is important, and I'm happy to provide some guidance on how to locate one.

Many law firms in New York understand that...
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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Legal Malpractice for New York on
Q: My kids have rare genetic disorde and take infusions weekly. They were conceived 2013 and 2016 and do not respond to vac

My kids have rare genetic disorde and take infusions weekly. They were conceived 2013 and 2016 and do not respond to vaccines. They spent first 6 years of life horribly sick, the spern bank we used was Manhattan Cryo. I am curious if we have a chance at settlement. Their medicall care require... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Nov 5, 2024

Sorry to hear what you're going through. Although New York does not recognize a cause of action for "wrongful life", it does recognize one for "wrongful birth". In a wrongful birth action, the parents would claim damages for the extraordinary costs of raising a child with... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Legal Malpractice for New York on
Q: My kids have rare genetic disorde and take infusions weekly. They were conceived 2013 and 2016 and do not respond to vac

My kids have rare genetic disorde and take infusions weekly. They were conceived 2013 and 2016 and do not respond to vaccines. They spent first 6 years of life horribly sick, the spern bank we used was Manhattan Cryo. I am curious if we have a chance at settlement. Their medicall care require... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 1, 2024

I'm sorry for your ordeal. The most reliable way to answer your question would be to reach out to law firms to discuss in further detail. There are a number of issues and entities to sort out here, and it isn't fully clear who you deem to be the liable party (or parties?). It would depend... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice for Florida on
Q: Attorney settled PI case w/out consent; insisted it is legal. FL Bar was contacted and case opened. Now what?

After non-consented settlement, no further documents were signed.

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Oct 28, 2024

You reported your attorney for malpractice, so the attorney is probably going to keep the settlement money in trust until and unless the Florida Bar tells him to disburse it. He can't very well keep part of it for himself if he's not supposed to do so; on the other hand if what he did is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Legal Malpractice and Family Law for Iowa on
Q: My ex-spouse died 2 years ago and my divorce attorney had not sent a correct QDRO form for a GE Retirement fund.

My lawyer has admitted guilt but the insurance lawyer has given me the run around for the past 2 years. My exes wife received the money instead of me. I just want what I'm owed, approx 75K. How do I proceed?

Erik Luthens
Erik Luthens
answered on Oct 23, 2024

How did your attorney “admit guilt?” If your attorney alerted his/her professional liability insurance carrier of the situation, you should have been reimbursed by now. Generally speaking, the statute of limitations for pursuing a legal malpractice claim is five (5) years from when you know... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Civil Litigation and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: Do procedures even matter?

I have noted about 20 different violations by DFPS according to the Texas family code but nobody will do anything. I proved multiple times the investigator lied on the affidavits. I even have another CPI confirming he lied on it. Nobody will do anything. It's like they're all working... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Oct 18, 2024

Yes procedures matter. But the remedy for every procedural violation is not "you win." If a document is incomplete, the remedy may well be that you can require them to complete the document. If an investigator lies, you can present evidence of that lie, and that will likely undermine... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Texas on
Q: If my lawyer didn't file motion own time an got dismissed,an refiled it under new cause number is he causing malpractice
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Oct 18, 2024

Maybe but not necessarily.

If a personal injury lawsuit is dismissed without prejudice, it can be refiled as long as the statute of limitations has not expired. On the other hand, if the statute of limitations expired before the second lawsuit was filed AND you would have definitely won...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Legal Malpractice for Florida on
Q: I paid in full for a chapter 7, the attorney appointed to me did not file in a timely manner

After the attorney was appointed to me, I hired him as my divorce lawyer. At the time of final payment for bankruptcy he had all my current financial info. He did not file in a timely manner and has yet to honestly or validly explain why he did not file as soon as my last payment was made which... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Oct 8, 2024

The question raises several interesting points:

1. What were the circumstances involving an attorney being appointed to represent you in a bankruptcy case? Normally you would retain a bankruptcy attorney, not have one "appointed" to represent you.

2. You say the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Legal Malpractice for Florida on
Q: My Public Defender LIED about what 'adjudicated' meant to get me to plea guilty. Is there a Statute of limitations?

REVISED. 25 yrs ago I was arrested with a serious charge. My PD was Mad because I wouldn't plea. I Firmly stated I was innocent and only plea, NOT guilty! The Judge's counsel, however, was, 'one never knows how a jury will vote, so if the outcomes bad [jail] perhaps a plea is... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Oct 3, 2024

I'm wondering if you actually had an adjudication of guilt or instead a withhold of adjudication. Both phrases have the word "adjudication" in them, but are completely different. An adjudication of guilt equals a conviction. A withhold of adjudication (often referred to simply as... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Gov & Administrative Law and Legal Malpractice for Louisiana on
Q: My husband and I were rear ended in shv on 4/5/24 we have been represented for injury to insurance company. However the

Person who hit us was traveling over 100mph and was not ticketed or checked for substances: the officer said he didn’t have the heart to do either because he knew the offender and the man had liver cancer. The city of Shreveport had received several calls about the speeder and did nothing! We... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 6, 2024

I agree with my colleagues that you should reach out to attorneys in Louisiana. Free initial consults without obligation are customary in such cases. Something doesn't add up in your figures - three people in a vehicle in a 100-plus mile an hour collision and $6,500 being offered - is that... View More

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