Hiring a lawyer after a personal injury is a deeply personal decision. You trust them with your recovery, your finances, and your peace of mind. If you feel your current attorney is failing to meet your expectations, you have the right to seek new representation.
Why Clients Often Feel Let Down
Many people hire a lawyer only to later feel ignored or out of touch. Common complaints include:
- Difficulty reaching the attorney directly
- Only talking with their assistants, paralegals, or support staff
- Lack of updates about the case’s progress
- Having questions go unanswered or concerns minimized
These frustrations can leave clients feeling powerless during a time when clarity and support matter most.
Signs That It Might Be Time to Make a Change
You may want to consider finding a new attorney if you notice:
- Your lawyer rarely returns your calls or fails to keep you informed
- You do not understand the status of your case, or when it might be resolved
- You feel your questions or concerns are being dismissed
- You believe that better communication, expertise, or strategy might be available
What Happens If You Decide to Switch Lawyers
Changing lawyers mid-case is possible and often straightforward. Key steps usually include:
- Finding a new attorney who is willing to take over your case before you terminate the current one. This helps prevent delays or gaps that could harm your claim.
- Signing a new retainer agreement with the new attorney to formalize their representation.
- Notifying relevant parties (your former lawyer, the court, insurance companies) through a document that “consents to the change of attorney.” That ensures everyone is aware of the shift.
- Transferring your case file from the old attorney to the new one. The new lawyer will usually request the “case file transfer” so they have all documentation and records.
How Legal Fees Are Handled
You might worry about paying twice or being penalized for changing lawyers. Usually the fee structure is handled so you do not suffer additional cost:
- Personal injury attorneys often work under contingency fee agreements, that is, they get paid a percentage of the recovery, not up front.
- If you switch lawyers, the old and new attorneys may divide the fee according to how much work each performed on the case.
- The change should not increase your overall cost beyond what you agreed in your contingency fee contract, assuming the new attorney accepts the same or similar terms.
How Hillstone Law Helps Clients Who Are Considering a Change
If you are dissatisfied with your current attorney, Hillstone Law supports you in making an informed choice. We can help by:
- Reviewing your current fee agreement and case status
- Explaining what you should expect in terms of communication and case handling
- Helping with the logistics of transitioning to new counsel, including court filings or permission notices
- Ensuring that your rights are protected and that there is no undue delay or loss of claim value
Note: These blog posts are created solely for the use of Hillstone Law. The information is gathered from internet research, publicly available sources, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT. While we aim to share helpful and educational content, Hillstone Law does not independently verify every detail. Some information may be incomplete, outdated, or subject to change without notice. If you believe any part of a post is inaccurate, misleading, or infringes upon copyright, please contact Hillstone Law immediately so we can review it and take appropriate action, including correction or removal.
Disclaimer: The material provided in these blogs is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Reading these posts does not create, and is not intended to create, an attorney-client relationship with Hillstone Law. Our intent is to share knowledge, raise awareness, and provide helpful resources to the public; however, Hillstone Law makes no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided, and expressly disclaims liability for any actions taken in reliance on it. The photos used in these posts are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict actual clients, individuals, or incidents unless expressly stated. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please contact Hillstone Law at (855) 691-1691. Our attorneys are available to answer your legal questions and help you understand your rights.
