At Castan & Lecca, as a personal injury law firm, we know how difficult it can be for victims to deal with the aftermath of a serious injury, facing all the obstacles that can arise throughout the recovery process. However, having a trusted attorney that is ready to provide legal guidance and support along the way can make a difference.
On the other hand, if you feel like your attorney is not meeting your expectations or carrying out your legal process correctly and are considering changing attorneys, you may want to read this article. We explain five reasons we deem ok to replace your personal injury lawyer and tips on how to do so in an amicable manner.
One of the reasons we’ve seen that people change their attorneys in personal injury cases is due to the lawyer’s lack of attention and proper communication. Remember: always choose an attorney available to answer your questions and provide clear information about the case’s progress.
If you feel your attorney is not providing you the attention and communication you deserve, it may be time to consider finding other options elsewhere. When it comes to legal matters, you shouldn’t have to struggle to get answers or feel in the dark about the status of your case.
Another reason that it’s more than ok to change your personal injury attorney is if there is a lack of results, or you feel your case isn’t going anywhere. We recommend that it’s better to have an attorney that has experience dealing with personal injury cases and has the resources necessary to handle your case and get your compensation.
If you feel that your lawyer isn’t making any progress with your case or isn’t trying their best to get you a great settlement, it may be time to find someone else to represent you. However, we want you to know that it isn’t always possible to get a perfect outcome when it comes to personal injury cases. But what you can control is choosing an attorney that works hard to get you the best possible result and that is honest with you about your options and provide you with realistic expectations.
The third reason it’s ok to have another attorney carry out your case may be due to differences in work philosophy, or in other words, not having both your and your lawyer’s expectations aligned. Every attorney has their own style and approach in representing personal injury cases, therefore, find the right lawyer that carries out your case as you imagine it and shares the same goals.
For example, some attorneys look to settle your case as soon as possible and are willing to accept a less-than-favorable settlement offer to avoid going to trial. Whereas other lawyers are willing to go in front of a judge or a jury if that means getting the best result for their clients. That is why if you feel your current lawyer is trying to convince you to accept the first offer, start looking for other legal options elsewhere.
Although, we want you to know that changing attorneys in the middle of a legal process isn’t as easy as said as done. In addition, your new lawyer might need to start from scratch with your legal strategy and will need time to familiarize themselves with your case. But, it’s better to start over with an attorney that you feel comfortable with than one that doesn’t align with your expectations.
Sadly, some lawyers may engage in unethical practices, such as failing to disclose all relevant information regarding their clients’ cases or pressuring them to accept a lowball offer. Situations like these show these unscrupulous lawyers’ true colors in representing their clients and may be a valid reason to consider changing personal injury attorneys.
Professional ethics is a set of principles and values that guide the behavior of lawyers in the practice of their profession. These principles include the duty to respect the law and ethical rules, the duty to act with integrity and honesty, and the duty to protect the interests of their clients and respect their confidentiality.
When a lawyer fails to comply with these ethical principles, what they’re really doing is hurting their relationship with their clients. Don’t settle for less when it comes to having the right attorney for your case; if you feel that your current lawyer is not acting ethically or have doubts about their behavior, start considering changing your legal representation.
Conflicts of interest may arise in cases, and some attorneys may feel these situations affect their ability to properly represent a client in a personal injury case. Conflicts of interest usually happen when their ability to act in the best interest of their client.
For example, if an attorney has a personal or business relationship with one of the parties involved in the case, it may be difficult for him or her to act impartially and properly represent their client’s case. Likewise, if a lawyer has previously worked with one of the parties involved in -the case that isn’t the client- or has a friendly relationship with them, there may be a conflict of interest.
If your lawyer has any conflicts of interest, they should inform you and discuss how your case can be properly handled. But if you feel that your attorney hasn’t disclosed this information, we recommend to talk them and asking them about it. It’s about whether you wish to continue with them or change attorneys.
How can I start changing my attorney?
In conclusion, there are several reasons why it becomes necessary to change attorneys in personal injury cases, including lack of proper attention and communication, lack of results, differences in work philosophy, lack of professional ethics, and conflicts of interest. It is important to find and choose an attorney you trust, seeking advice, looking at their previous results, and reading their law firm’s reviews before making a final decision.
In case you’re currently looking for new attorneys, at Castan & Lecca, we’re ready to provide you with the legal guidance and assistance you need with your personal injury case. If you wish to let us start working on your case or want to know what we can offer you, contact us for a free consultation.
51 Lenox Pointe NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
4131 Steve Reynolds Blvd #102
Norcross, GA 30093
Dustin Thompson
Attorney
Dustin Thompson was raised in rural Camilla, Georgia. Dustin graduated from Georgia Southern University majoring in political science and history. After graduation, Dustin obtained a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta. Before becoming a lawyer, Dustin worked a variety of jobs from a watermelon farm in Mitchell County to a policy think tank in Washington D.C. Dustin has practiced law almost exclusively in the workers’ compensation arena since 2014. For nearly a decade, he worked for a large defense firm in Georgia representing employers and insurers and gaining the invaluable experience and knowledge of how insurers defend claims. In 2023, Dustin joined the firm to use his expertise and litigation skills to help individuals who have been injured as a result of work accidents and third-party negligence. Dustin has been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” in the practice of workers’ compensation. Outside of work, Dustin enjoys traveling, hunting, and attending sporting events. He and his family are active in Buckhead Church.
MICHAEL BOESCHEN
Attorney
Michael Boeschen (Mike) was born in Wichita, KS and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Mike graduated from The McCallie School and went on to study history, Spanish, and Latin American Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from the University Of Georgia School Of Law. During law school, Mike participated in the Legal Aid Clinic, assisting in the defense of indigent criminal defendants. Mike has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since 2002 and his main practice area consists of representing injured workers as they navigate through the Georgia workers’ compensation system. Mike is also fluent in Spanish. In his spare time Mike enjoys following soccer, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two young daughters. Mike and his family are parishioners of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA
CHRISTIAN PECONE
Attorney
ED DENKER
Attorney
ILIANA DOBREV
Attorney
KEN THAXTON
Attorney
ALEXANDER LECCA
Attorney
DANIEL CASTAN
Attorney
Dan Castan is a senior partner at Castan and Lecca, PC in Buckhead and represents injured workers before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation and plaintiffs in State and Superior Courts of Georgia for injuries suffered in accidents. Dan litigated one of the seminal claims securing the rights of undocumented workers to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits in the state of Georgia when injured in the case of Wet Walls, Inc. vs. Ledesma. Dan has successfully fought and settled multi million dollar cases. He was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to immigrant parents from Cuba. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and received his Juris Doctor from The Washington College of Law at The American University in Washington D.C. Dan was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November, 1993. He is an active member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Dan is a founding member and Director of the Latino Victory Fund Georgia and serves on the Board of The Latin American Association. Dan has been dedicated to getting Latinos elected to local, state and Federal offices in Georgia. He has been a Big Brother through Big Brothers and Sisters of Metro Atlanta and a mentor through The Latin American Association’s mentor/mentee program. Dan is married with two children.
