When someone needs the services of a personal injury lawyer, finding a professional that they click with is important.
As clients, everyone retains the right to interview personal injury attorneys and choose the one that they feel can help them the most.
Interestingly, the attorneys at personal injury law firms retain the same right to not take on a case for someone.
Although it does not happen often, these are the top reasons why a personal injury lawyer might refuse a client’s case.
- Conflict of Interest - To fairly represent any client in a case, personal injury attorneys must give that client their full attention and act in their interest to try to win their case. If they are already representing another party related to the case, this would be considered a conflict of interest. A responsible personal injury lawyer should always refuse any case when already representing another associated party.
- Client Partially At Fault - Depending on the specifics of the case, personal injury attorneys may decline a case if they believe the client is partially at fault as this can significantly reduce the claim value. Texas law states that when an individual is more than 50% responsible for an accident, they are not entitled to receive monetary compensation from the other party. In both cases, personal injury attorneys may find that the case is not worthwhile and be reluctant to accept it.
- Too Late to File - Texas has a statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits of 2 years from the date of the accident. There is nothing a personal injury law firm can do if the injured party contacts them after the statute of limitations has passed. Anyone injured in an accident and is considering whether they should file a lawsuit should contact a personal injury lawyer well in advance of that 2-year mark so there is plenty of time to file a lawsuit, if necessary.
- Not Enough Damages - Personal injury lawyers who work on a contingency basis may refuse to take a case in which there are not enough damages that a client can be compensated for. Generally speaking, the more serious a person’s injuries and the more medical costs as well as pain and suffering that have been caused, the higher the claim is. Minor injury or no injury cases may instead be referred to a law firm that handles property damage.
Texas personal injury law firms provide services to those injured in car and other accidents to help their clients get the compensation they are entitled to unless any of the above circumstances apply.
A consultation with n experienced personal injury lawyer will determine whether that lawyer can and is willing to take on a case and how they think they can help a client be appropriately compensated.