If you sustained an injury as a result of another party’s negligence or recklessness, you may wish to seek legal representation from a qualified personal injury attorney. However, it is important to understand that not all attorneys will accept every potential case that is brought to their attention. To increase your chances of finding a lawyer willing to take on your case, it is crucial to be aware of potential reasons why a personal injury attorney may decide not to.
Conflict of Interest
In accordance with Florida Bar Rule 4-1.7, attorneys may not represent clients in any matter in which they have a conflict of interest. This means that the attorney may not have any sort of financial interest in the outcome of the case, nor may the attorney have any past or current relationship with any of the parties involved that could create a conflict of interest. Additionally, the attorney may not use any confidential information obtained through a prior representation of any of the parties in the case. If an attorney is found to be in violation of this rule, they could face disciplinary action from the Florida Bar.
You Waited Too Long to File Your Claim
In Florida, if you have a personal injury claim, it is critical to act quickly. Under Florida Statute 95.11(3)(a), you only have four years to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long, a lawyer may not be able to represent you, as they may require additional time to perform their own research and contact insurance companies and other third parties in order to attempt to reach a settlement. Therefore, it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury to ensure you have the best chance of earning their representation.
Unwinnable or Exaggerated Cases
A lawyer may decline a personal injury case if they believe the client is over-exaggerating the circumstances or the extent of their injuries. Clients should be upfront with their lawyers when discussing the details of their claims.
For example, if someone has been injured in a supermarket slip-and-fall accident and seeks assistance from a lawyer to recover compensation, the lawyer may not be able to assist the client if they believe the client has deliberately provided false information. Ultimately, it is in the best interests of both parties for the client to be honest and forthright about the incident in order to ensure the lawyer can adequately and effectively represent them.
Lack of Experience or Resouces
Finally, an attorney may not be able to take on a client’s case due to a lack of expertise or resources. Attorneys typically have a narrow focus and small practices may have limited resources, meaning they may not be experienced in cases like yours or already be over-committed to other cases. In such a situation, the lawyer initially approached may decline to take on a case or recommend another legal professional who is a better fit for your case.
If your personal injury case is denied by an attorney due to lack of experience or time constraints, don’t be discouraged; use this as an opportunity to find an attorney who is well-suited for your case and can give you the best chance at getting the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, don’t let a lawyer’s rejection of your case prevent you from seeking justice. Finding the right lawyer who specializes in personal injury cases is critical to achieving the best possible outcome. At the Law Office of Leonard J. Valdes, our experienced attorneys are committed to helping you get the justice you deserve. To get started, call our office at 305-567-0910 to schedule your consultation today.