If you’ve been injured and you are interested in pursuing financial compensation, you’re going to look for a lawyer who can prove your claim. You’ll do some research online and read the reviews before settling on one or two lawyers you’re interested in meeting with. You may talk to them on the phone or visit them in the office, but before you can sign on the dotted line and hire them as representation, they say they won’t take your case.
Why won’t a personal injury lawyer take your case, and what should you do if a lawyer has informed you that they won’t be taking you on as a client? We answer those questions in today’s blog.
Lawyer Won’t Take My Case
Here’s a look at a few reasons why a personal injury lawyer won’t take your case:
1. Your Liability – In injury cases, you get a larger award amount based on the extent of your injuries and the fault rating or liability of the parties that contributed to the accident. If you were injured, but it turns out that you were actually more responsible for your injuries than the party you are suing, your lawyer may be hesitant to take on the case.
2. Low Damages – If you’re only suing to collect a couple hundred dollars or a low-four figure award, the law firm you choose may opt not to take your case. Odds are you can find a firm or a lawyer who is willing to take it on, but some other lawyers hold out for larger potential payouts. In Minnesota, a lawyer is paid a small percentage of your award claim, so if you’re awarded $2,000, your lawyer would end up with around $400-$500, and depending on the amount of work that may be needed to prove your claim, that simply may not be worth their time given their practice and their current caseload. It’s nothing personal, and they may be able to point you in the direction of a lawyer who can help.
3. They Are Too Busy – Sometimes cases just pile up, and as much as they would like to help you with your case, they simply might not have the capability to give you the time you deserve. View this as a sign of respect for your time, not as an indication that they don’t want to take your case. Odds are they’ll be able to refer you to another firm who can assist if you ask.
4. They Are Familiar With The Person You’re Suing – It may seem like there’s a slim chance that your lawyer knows the party you’re suing, but it happens more than you think. And even if they don’t know them personally, it may not be good business for the lawyer to go after that person. For example, if you have a medical malpractice claim against a doctor, and that physician or the hospital refers patients to the lawyer in the event they need legal assistance, it may not be the best idea for the lawyer to bite the hand that feeds them, so to speak. The bigger the corporation or higher the profile of the local person you’re going after, the more reluctance you may encounter on your journey to find a lawyer.
5. They May Not Be The Best Fit For Your Case – A final reason that a lawyer may not want to touch your case could be because they aren’t the best fit for your case. For example, if the personal injury lawyer you meet with specializes in premises liability and car accidents, but you were injured as a result of a bar fight. They may not be familiar with the specificities needed to pursue the claim to the fullest extent possible, and they may recommend you seek another lawyer. Again, view this as a sign of respect that the lawyer wants to ensure you’re in the best legal hands possible.
For more reasons why a lawyer may not take your case, or to see if we could help pursue your injury claim, reach out to Margolis Law Firm today.
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