Switching Attorneys in a Florida Personal Injury Case
A Client’s Journey to the Right Representation
A Change for the Better
Sarah Miller never imagined that a distracted driver could turn her life upside down. After her car accident in downtown Tampa, she found herself not only dealing with pain and endless medical appointments but also lost income and mounting bills. Knowing she needed help, Sarah hired an attorney to guide her through a personal injury case against the insurance company.
Signs Something Wasn’t Right
The partnership started well, but after a few months, Sarah felt increasingly uneasy. Her attorney was hard to reach, rarely returned calls, and seemed uninterested in the details of her case. Documents were missing, deadlines loomed, and Sarah felt left in the dark. She began to wonder: “Am I allowed to switch attorneys? Would it hurt my case?”
Learning Her Rights in Florida
Sarah did some research and discovered that, in Florida, clients have the right to change attorneys at any point during a personal injury case. The law recognizes that a good attorney-client relationship is vital, and if trust breaks down, the client can choose a new representative. Sarah learned that the process was straightforward—she simply needed to notify her current attorney in writing, and the new attorney would handle the transition. The court would be informed, and the case would continue, often with minimal disruption.
The Transition Process
Sarah met with a new attorney who assured her the switch would not jeopardize her claim. He explained that her former attorney would be compensated for the time and work already invested, usually from the settlement, so Sarah wouldn’t have to pay out of pocket. Sarah felt relieved knowing that her case—and her future—was in better hands.
Moving Forward
The new attorney quickly got up to speed. He communicated regularly and prepared her for every step. With improved representation, Sarah’s case progressed smoothly, and she eventually received a fair settlement for her injuries and losses.
Lessons Learned
Sarah’s experience taught her that, in Florida, switching attorneys in a personal injury case is not only possible but sometimes necessary. The most important thing is to have confidence in your legal team and to remember that your interests come first. If you feel neglected, ignored, or uncomfortable, you have the right—and the ability—to seek better representation.
In the end, Sarah’s decision to switch attorneys was the key to getting the justice and compensation she deserved. Her story reminds us that when it comes to personal injury cases, choosing the right advocate can make all the difference.
At www.FightingForFamilies.com we recently interviewed to add on an additional staff member. After receiving more than 100 resumes we selected 10 of the best applicants to interview. Of those 10 applicants, 6 of them were handling more than 200 cases at large advertising law firms. One applicant stated she received 10 new cases “every day”. 50 new cases every week! When we asked how she could possibly keep up with those clients’ cases, she described a process where the clients are placed on a computer software program, and a generic cookie-cutter approach is taken from there. There was no time for anything else.
At www.FightingForFamilies.com we do not assign numbers to our clients. Clients are known by their name. At www.FightingForFamilies.com we frequently inherit cases from larger law firms when the client is being ignored. Ask yourself these questions to know if it is time to switch personal injury attorneys:
- Do I ever get to talk with the attorney?
- Does it seem like I have to explain the same things over and over?
- Does it seem like my case is not progressing at all?
- Does it seem like a lot of people have come and gone who worked on my case?
- Do I really feel like that firm is working to do their best for me?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions you have the right and the ability to switch attorneys. You have the right to do what is best for you.
There is never a charge to talk about your case.
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