Can I Change My Injury Lawyer? Understanding Your Rights in Alberta

posted in: Personal Injury

Pursuing a legal matter can be very stressful, especially if you are also trying to recover from an injury at the same time. If you find that your injury lawyer is only adding to the stress because they are not responding to your calls and emails, they have not provided information as to what the next steps are in your matter, or for any other reason, you are entitled to sign up with a new injury lawyer. There are no laws or legislation in Alberta that can hold you back from proceeding to change your injury lawyer.

Nevertheless, there are some aspects to consider when thinking about whether to change injury lawyers.

The Role of an Injury Lawyer

The overarching role of an injury lawyer is to help you at every step of the legal process. An injury lawyer can advise you on the next steps to take, where to seek treatment, and/or what potential outcomes may arise from your claim. Most importantly, you should feel that your injury lawyer is guiding you through the entire legal process and ensuring that you are aware of the best possible options available to you at each stage of your matter.

In the Supreme Court of Canda case, R. v. Neil, [2002] 3 S.C.R. 631, 2002 SCC 70, the Court quoted previous caselaw regarding the relationship between lawyers and clients:

… the relationship of counsel and client requires clients, typically untrained in the law and lacking the skills of advocates, to entrust the management and conduct of their cases to the counsel who act on their behalf. There should be no room for doubt about counsel’s loyalty and dedication to the client’s case.

This is the general standard for lawyers and their clients. As such, you should feel confident that when you are hiring an injury lawyer, you are hiring someone that will ensure your matter is dealt with professionally, smoothly, and with minimum stress to you and your family.

Injury Matters are Never Black and White

First and foremost, it is important to remember that once you are injured, you generally only have two years to start legal proceedings in Alberta. With such a timeframe, it is recommended that you reach out to an injury lawyer as early as possible to ensure that your legal rights are protected.

That being said, there are many different stages of an injury matter in Alberta. Some of the tasks an injury lawyer will take on include handling the other party’s insurance company, gathering expert evidence, obtaining medical records, and ultimately, fighting for proper compensation for your injuries. Depending on all these variables, it can impact how much time it takes until your matter is settled.

If you are concerned as to how your injury lawyer is handling your matter, it is best to first speak with your injury lawyer and air your concerns to them. If you are not confident in your lawyer’s skillset and how they can assist you, then you can always seek out a second opinion from an injury lawyer at a different law firm. Most injury law firms have free initial consultation on injury claims.

At the end of the day, what matters most is that you trust the injury lawyer you hired to pursue your claim and compensation to the fullest degree. Once you decide to switch injury lawyers, then the new lawyer will most likely assist you in the transition from the first lawyer to them.

Put Our Experience to Work For You

Our Alberta injury lawyers have years of experience handling injury claims and negotiating with insurance companies. We have been around long enough to know what compensation people typically receive for an injury, as well as know how to find cases that support high compensation awards, and how to use those cases to support your claim. We have the experience to guide you from the beginning to the conclusion of your claim.

How KMSC Can Help You

Don’t settle for less than you deserve. If you’re feeling unheard, undervalued, or unsure about your current legal representation, it might be time to make a change. Contact The Injury Law Team at KMSC Law today for a free consultation and experience the difference a dedicated, experienced injury lawyer can make. Your recovery, your peace of mind, and your rightful compensation are our top priorities. Take control of your future – let KMSC Law fight for you.