Los Angeles Legal Malpractice Lawyer

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Los Angeles Legal Malpractice Attorney

When you face a legal issue and partner with a lawyer, you expect this legal professional to navigate your case with professionalism, diligence, and competence. However, a lawyer may not live up to their responsibility and perform their duties negligently, costing you money, opportunities, and justice. Legal malpractice can have devastating consequences, and a Los Angeles legal malpractice lawyer from Century Law Group, LLP, can fight to recoup what you’ve lost.

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Key Components of Legal Malpractice

Legal malpractice happens when an attorney fails to meet the professional standard expected in their field, which ultimately causes harm to their client. To successfully prove a legal malpractice claim, a plaintiff must establish the following key components:

Attorney-Client Relationship: You must show and prove that there was an official attorney-client relationship. This means that the attorney agreed to provide legal representation, thus establishing a duty of care. This can be shown through a signed agreement, billing record, or email exchanges.
Breach of Duty: The lawyer must have somehow failed to meet the standard of care that is expected of competent attorneys in a similar situation. Common breaches can include missing deadlines, failure to communicate key information, conflicts of interest, misuse of client funds, or unethical behavior.
Causation: You must prove that the lawyer’s negligence directly caused harm to your case. This is known as the “case within a case” principle wherein, if the lawyer had acted correctly, you would have won your case or achieved a better outcome. This mistake must have not just been a bad strategy but an actual failure in legal duty.
Damages: The malpractice must have resulted in real financial losses or other damages. Examples of these damages can include losing a case that should have been won, receiving a lower settlement than you deserved, and facing penalties or additional legal costs due to the attorney’s errors.

Legal malpractice cases can be complex, requiring strong evidence and legal experience to navigate. If your attorney may have mishandled your case, contact a legal malpractice lawyer who can find an ideal way to assess these damages and pursue justice.

Key Ways a Legal Malpractice Lawyer Can Help

When an attorney’s negligence or misconduct causes harm, a legal malpractice lawyer can seek justice and financial recovery for their clients. These lawyers understand the complexities of malpractice claims, and they can work to hold negligent attorneys accountable in the following ways:

Evaluating the situation to determine if you have a valid claim
Outlining potential legal options
Initiating a detailed investigation to evaluate key documents
Building a strong case by proving the four elements of legal malpractice
Negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf
Filing a legal claim if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Court representation in front of a judge or jury to argue your case
Recovering financial compensation for damages like lost settlements, legal costs, and emotional distress
Holding attorneys accountable for their malpractice

A legal malpractice attorney can provide the legal guidance and support you need to seek justice. By carefully evaluating your claim, gathering strong evidence, and fighting for fair compensation, they can help their clients regain trust in the legal system and recover from the damage caused by their previous attorney’s negligence.

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FAQs About Los Angeles, CA Legal Malpractice Claims and Law

What Is the Average Settlement for Legal Malpractice?

The average settlement for legal malpractice is dependent on several factors that are unique to each case, making it challenging to create an accurate average settlement amount. Even if such an amount existed, it may not actually be helpful for understanding what your case is worth. Factors that impact settlement amounts include the specific nature of the claim, the geographic location, and the effectiveness of legal representation.

How Do You Prove Legal Malpractice in California?

To prove legal malpractice in California, you must establish four key elements, which include:

Duty of Care: There existed an attorney-client relationship.
Breach of Duty: The attorney failed to meet the standard of care.
Causation: The attorney’s actions caused harm
Damages: You suffered financial loss.

To prove legal malpractice, evidence and documentation, like emails, contracts, medical records, and court records, can be used to show errors and misconduct.

How Much Is a Malpractice Lawyer?

The cost of working with a malpractice lawyer depends on several factors, including the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience level, and the fee structure they use. Common fee structures lawyers use include contingency fees, hourly rates, and flat fees. If cost is a concern, it is always advisable to meet with a trusted lawyer and discuss fee expectations to ensure alignment on this issue.

How Hard Is It to Sue an Attorney for Malpractice?

Suing an attorney for malpractice can be challenging because the burden of proof is high, and legal malpractice cases require substantial evidence. To have a successful case, you must prove how the attorney’s negligence directly caused you to lose a case or settlement. This often means proving that, if not for their error, you would have won the underlying case or received a better outcome.

How Long Does a Legal Malpractice Case Take?

The length of a legal malpractice case can vary depending on factors like the case’s complexity, the strength of evidence, and court backlogs. There are several steps to the claims process, and each requires time, including the investigation, filing, discovery, settlement talks, trial, and appeals if there is a need for this. After meeting with a legal malpractice lawyer, they can provide a more accurate case timeline based on the unique factors of your individual situation.

Speak With a Trusted Los Angeles Legal Malpractice Lawyer as Soon as Possible

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious loss due to a lawyer’s negligent work, you may be eligible to pursue legal action against them. Reach out to Century Law Group, LLP, today by setting up an initial consultation with a trusted legal malpractice lawyer. Our team can evaluate the details of your case and find a way forward.

Testimonials

- This was more than business

“I want to thank you personally and profusely for ending my State Bar inquiry. To me it was an existential threat. It was troublesome beyond your patience to listen to me complain. I can best express the relief I felt when you told me it was over. This was more than business, it was deeply […]

- I highly recommend Century Law Group, because of them I won my case

“I honestly appreciate Century Law Group. They have helped me throughout my process. They have kept me informed and put me at much ease throughout my situation. I highly recommend Century Law Group, and because of them I won my case. Rizza especially was wonderful. I wouldn’t know what I would’ve done without her and […]

- Your support has been a blessing to me

“Thank you for your help this year. Your faith and support have been a blessing to me.”

- You did excellent in court

“Thank you! Just to let you know that you did excellent in the court, especially at the end. I can say you did more than just your job. Sorry I didn’t tell you before but I was nervous and I had many other emotions going on at the same time 🙂 Thanks again and blessings […]

- You rock! Thank you!

“… You helped my dream come true! Thank you so much for prepping me and thank you for showing me that my situation wasn’t all that bad. I really was in the slumps. After meeting with you I felt confident and proud of how far I have come. You rock! Thank you again!”

- The pressure was taken off our shoulders

“My husband and I retained [CLG] regarding a business partnership dissolution. Our situation was extremely stressful and multifaceted. Neither my husband, nor myself had any expertise in this area. We initially had a consult with them, in addition to 2 other attorneys, so as to settle on the right fit. While all 3 attorneys we […]

- Extremely helpful in resolving my matter

“Rizza and the team at Century Law Group were extremely helpful in resolving my matter before the Department of Insurance. I highly recommend them to anyone requiring assistance in obtaining or retaining their insurance license” – Sheik S.

- Straight forward, honest, and accurate

“The team at Century Law Group demonstrated skill, professionalism, and were always extremely responsive. They were straight forward, honest, and accurate in providing insight and advice. I recommend CLG to anyone who needs legal guidance.” – Tim R.

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“CLG was fantastic. They were very knowledgeable about the matter they handled for me and their experience was very apparent. Very glad I selected them.” – Amit P.

- Thank you for your dedication

“Thanks for your fine work and dedication to your profession.”

- I am so thankful

“Marisol successfully defended me. I am so thankful to have retained this firm to assist me during this very stressful event. I strongly recommend that you hire this firm should you have a complaint lodged against your firm.” – Judy B.

- The results speak for themselves

“Ed and his team provided me with excellent reputation during one of the worst times of my life. Not only was I kept fully informed of the progress of my case, thanks to their legal knowledge and research skills they were able to resolve my case with a complete dismissal. The burden that lifted from […]

- After much stress and worry, I can finally feel at ease.

“I am very impressed with Rizza. She explained the process very thoroughly, and made me feel very confident about my situation! The rate was very reasonable for the services their firm offers. After much stress and worry, I can finally feel at ease … I am so glad I found these guys.” – Joe J.

- I felt entirely assured

“… I got that dreaded letter right before Christmas, it seemed as though my world fell apart. I immediately searched for an attorney online and came across Marisol Ocampo. I left a message, not expecting to hear back for a bit, but to my surprise I received a call from Marisol herself, on the same […]

- I refer you

“I refer you every opportunity I get …”

- Prompt, professional, reliable

“I would unequivocally endorse this team. They are prompt, professional, and reliable. They helped me obtain a very favorable outcome. [They] were very helpful and helped me reach very favorable outcomes … Thank you Century Law Group!!” – Benjamin S.

- YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

“I cannot thank you enough. YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! We had a record day for a Friday yesterday, even with all the turmoil. Could not have done it without you. Like it or not, You are now family!”

- I knew CLG was the right choice

“After consulting with a handful of other firms, I knew CLG was the right choice. My matter is resolved now and I have no regrets. I am especially grateful for the peace of mind I had throughout the entire process. Once I retained their office, I knew things were being taken care of and I […]

- Steady counsel in a nerve-wracking time

“Century Law Group not only helped me achieve a very favorable outcome, but [they] provided steady counsel in a nerve-wracking time. Strongly recommend” – Athul A.

- I would unequivocally endorse this team

“I would unequivocally endorse this team. They are prompt, professional, and reliable. They helped me obtain a very favorable outcome. I had TWO matters before the BAR and Mr. Lear and his team were very helpful and helped me reach very favorable outcomes in both matters with no disciplinary action taken by the BAR. Thank […]