Where Personal Injury Cases Go Wrong

Having hired many employees that come from other personal injury law firms that sign up hundreds of new cases a month, I have countless stories about how big firms mistreat their clients.

Here’s a breakdown of what can go wrong and how people can avoid these pitfalls:

1. Quick, Inadequate Settlements

Some firms (usually the larger firms) rush through cases to settle quickly, often without fully assessing the value of their cases. They maximize their own profit this way, and it can leave their clients with a settlement that doesn’t cover all of their medical expenses, lost income, and future needs.

An attorney should thoroughly investigate all possible claims and leverage every resource available to fight for a settlement that considers both immediate and ongoing expenses to secure the maximum compensation for every case. A firm that doesn’t maximize their client’s compensation is not acting in their best interest.

2. Case Delays and Missed Deadlines

It is awful hearing about people whose cases were delayed, sometimes for years, due to poor management by their law firm. In some cases, crucial deadlines were even missed, putting their entire claim at risk. This often happens when the firm has taken on too many cases.

Missing a critical deadline can lead to a significant missed opportunity, leaving clients with far less compensation than they deserve. Clients deserve a firm that is not only organized but also committed to every detail of their case. With full focus, attorneys can be strategic in navigating the changing legal environment and advance their cases most effectively.

3. Poor Communication and Lack of Transparency

Many clients describe feeling left in the dark, usually after they’ve been passed off to a paralegal or legal assistant who doesn’t know how to describe their case in simple terms. Poor communication makes clients feel undervalued and frustrated.

Clients deserve to be fully informed about their case’s progress by their attorney who values open communication and will keep you informed at every step. Clients should never feel ignored or unsure about the progress of their case. An attorney must be available to answer any and all questions and explain what’s happening in normal language.

4. Unethical or Questionable Practices

Sadly, some attorneys may act unethically—encouraging clients to exaggerate claims, mismanaging funds, or failing to disclose all fees. This can not only damage their case but also waste your time and harm your reputation.
What to look for: Make sure your attorney has a solid ethical record. Legal cases should be handled with integrity, especially in personal injury law, where clients are often vulnerable. Misrepresentation or unethical behavior jeopardizes the case, the client’s credibility, and even their future.

5. Erosion of Trust and Added Stress

What Can Happen: When clients feel unsupported, they can quickly lose faith in their representation. This erosion of trust only increases emotional strain in what’s already a challenging time, sometimes even causing clients to settle prematurely out of frustration.
Why It’s a Problem: Clients come to us after traumatic experiences, needing guidance and reassurance. Without this, clients may settle for less or give up on pursuing the full extent of their claim, feeling that they can’t rely on their attorney.

How to Avoid These Issues

To protect yourself, take the time to choose a firm that not only specializes in personal injury but also has a proven record of treating clients with respect and transparency. Look for firms that prioritize communication, have strong client reviews, and are willing to take the time to explain every step of the process to you. At our firm, we work hard to make sure our clients feel informed, valued, and confident that their best interests are at the forefront of everything we do.