By Jim Ballidis
Are you treating your injury lawyer like your hairdresser, uncomfortable with making a change because of loyalty?
I am often struck by how uncomfortable my wife is about changing hairdressers. I have no hair, so that is not really an issue for me these days. I suspect she shared a certain amount of private details about her life, and there is some concern about seeking out another hairdresser out of loyalty. No doubt this emotion is related to our upbringing and experiences. We have all been hurt by someone we dated us who decided to date someone else without letting us know. Even looking at another person with interest is bound to give rise to jealousy.
In the big scheme of things, I guess if the color and cut get too rushed or messed up, a change is made in the hairdressing world. But in the case of a lawyer, we should be a little more willing to change before the lawyer messes up our “hairdo” of a case. Here are a couple of concerns that should trigger a second opinion.
- Is your lawyer listening to you? If he or she has gotten too busy or frustrating to talk to, it may be time to speak to someone more capable of handling your case at this moment.
- Is your lawyer keeping you informed? One tenet of a good law practice is keeping the client informed when important events are happening in a case.
- How about return calls? It is important that the law firm return your calls when you need to speak to them. If they do not, it might be time to consult with another lawyer.
- If your lawyer is telling you to settle a case, for what seems like an unfair number, you should speak to and obtain a second opinion.
You owe it to yourself and your family to seek the opinion of another lawyer. If your current lawyer objects, that is not a good sign. Like a doctor, a second opinion should be welcome. If you find yourself wondering if you should consider another lawyer, call us, and speak to us confidentially. We can let you know if we think you are on the right track, or you should make a change.