Columbia Legal Malpractice Lawyer

Columbia, SC Legal Malpractice Attorney

When you hire an attorney in Columbia to represent you, you are putting your faith and the outcome of your case into their presumably trustworthy hands. When you do so, there is an expectation that they will provide you with sound legal counsel and reasonably protect your interests. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. If a South Carolina attorney took advantage of you, do not wait to bring your case to our Columbia legal malpractice lawyer.

Choose the Tatum Law Firm, PLLC, for Legal Counsel You Can Depend on

If you have been a victim of lawyer negligence, you will likely be a bit apprehensive when it comes to instilling trust in another attorney to make things right. However, it’s essential that you take legal action against a so-called professional who took advantage of your trust. Filing a claim against a negligent lawyer in Columbia can help to ensure that your voice is heard and that the lawyer who hurt you is held accountable.

At the Tatum Law Firm, PLLC, we value the trust our clients put in us. We believe that everyone deserves the right to work with a lawyer who advocates for them effectively, no matter what kind of case they’re dealing with. Our team has over two decades of experience and has aided countless clients in taking action against negligent attorneys. We are prepared to listen to your needs, compassionately guide you through a legal malpractice claim, and fight for damages.

What Are the Elements of a South Carolina Legal Malpractice Claim?

Legal malpractice is a form of professional negligence committed by an attorney. Attorneys are usually held to a higher standard of care than most other professions, given the steep consequences of their actions. However, proving their negligence in court is incredibly complicated. In order to proceed with a legal malpractice claim in South Carolina, you must be able to show the following elements:

• The attorney had a professional duty towards you with an agreed-upon fee (contract).
• The attorney breached that duty.
• You suffered some kind of harm (i.e., a financial loss).
• The breach of duty was the direct cause of the harm that you suffered.

It’s important to note that just because you lose a case does not mean that an attorney committed malpractice. There are many instances where an attorney can do everything in their power and still lose a case. However, when your attorney consistently acts without your interests in mind and fails to provide you with adequate counsel, this is negligence. If you’re unsure whether your situation constitutes lawyer malpractice, discuss your concerns with our Columbia team.

How Do You Prove Legal Malpractice in South Carolina?

In order for the plaintiff to prove that legal malpractice took place, they must provide proof of professional negligence by way of expert testimony. “Expert testimony” refers to the opinion of a licensed, actively practicing attorney who is familiar with the standard of care for the legal services in question. They must testify that the standards of care were not met and that the damages to the plaintiff would not have occurred had the proper standards been followed.

In addition to professional negligence, your legal malpractice lawyer must also show causation, which means that if not for the attorney’s actions, the case would have had a different outcome. This can be particularly difficult, but it is not impossible with the help of a qualified attorney.

Lastly, the plaintiff must prove that the damages occurred as a result of the attorney’s actions. This means that the actions or negligence of the attorney were directly responsible for causing harm to the victim. This is often the most difficult aspect to prove, which is why speaking with a malpractice attorney who has direct experience handling legal malpractice claims in Columbia is highly recommended.

FAQs

Q: Can I File a Malpractice Lawsuit Against My Lawyer for Negligence in South Carolina?

A: Yes. If your lawyer committed professional negligence or breached their duty in regard to the established standard level of care, then you can file a legal negligence claim against them. Proving that, however, can be a lot more complicated, which is why it’s recommended that you consult with an experienced malpractice attorney to discuss the details of your case.

Q: What Is Legal Malpractice in South Carolina?

A: Legal malpractice in Columbia, SC, is defined as when an attorney fails to perform services according to the standard level of care that is reasonably expected of them. It occurs when a lawyer breaches their legal duties or behaves negligently in a way that causes their client harm. Legal malpractice does not occur when an attorney simply loses a case but instead when an attorney actively acts outside of their client’s interests and causes them harm.

Q: How Long Do You Have to File a Malpractice Lawsuit in South Carolina?

A: In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for filing a malpractice claim is three years from the date when the incident occurred. This includes both medical malpractice and legal malpractice claims. Failure to file a claim within the statute of limitations can result in your claim being withdrawn, which is why it is so important to contact a trustworthy legal malpractice attorney who can help you file as soon as possible.

Q: What Is the Meaning of Legal Malpractice?

A: Legal Malpractice means that there was negligence, breach of contract, or breach of fiduciary duty on behalf of the lawyer that resulted in some sort of harm to the client. In short, it means that the attorney committed professional negligence in regard to their legal services that negatively affected their client. Every state has varying definitions as to what legal malpractice entails and what victims are able to do about it.

Ask What Our Compassionate Lawyers Can Do for You

At Tatum Law Firm, PLLC, we take pride in providing our clients with a high standard of professional care and dedication. We understand that victims of lawyer negligence will be hesitant to place their trust in the hands of another attorney, which is why we are prepared to earn yours. We believe that trust should never be taken for granted, especially when a claim is personal, and the repercussions are substantial.

Contact us today to request a consultation and discuss your legal options with our team. We would be honored to serve you compassionately.