If You Don’t Like How Your Current Injury Lawyer Is Handling Your Case, Fire Them
You have the right to choose who represents you — and that means you also have the right to fire your injury lawyer if you’re unhappy with how they’re handling your case. Many clients don’t realize that switching attorneys is not only allowed but often the best decision when their lawyer isn’t doing the job they were hired to do.
A personal injury case can take months or even years to resolve, so it’s important that you trust your lawyer and feel confident in their ability to fight for you. If you’ve lost faith in your attorney, you are never “stuck.” Even if you signed a contingency fee agreement at the start, you can fire your lawyer at any time and for any reason — including no reason at all.
Common Reasons to Fire an Injury Lawyer
Here are some examples of when clients should consider finding new representation:
Lack of Communication: Your lawyer doesn’t return your calls or emails for weeks, and when you do get an update, it’s from a case manager or assistant — not the attorney themselves. You deserve direct communication with the person handling your case.
Pressure to Settle Too Early: If your lawyer is pushing you to accept a low settlement just to “wrap things up quickly,” that’s a red flag. A good lawyer should fight for the maximum compensation, not the fastest resolution.
Disagreement on Case Value: Your lawyer tells you your case isn’t worth much without explaining why or refuses to discuss how they calculated the value. You should never feel in the dark about the reasoning behind their advice.
Lack of Experience or Effort: Your lawyer might not be filing necessary paperwork, missing deadlines, or failing to negotiate aggressively with the insurance company. You should never feel like your case is being ignored or treated like “just another file.”
Unprofessional Behavior: If your lawyer is rude, dismissive, or acts like your case isn’t important — that’s unacceptable. You’re not just a client; you’re a person dealing with a serious situation that affects your life.
What Happens When You Fire Your Lawyer
Firing your lawyer doesn’t mean you lose your case or have to start over. Your new attorney can handle the transfer of your file and deal directly with your previous lawyer. In most situations, your old lawyer may be entitled to a small portion of the final recovery.
Example Scenario
Let’s say you hired a lawyer after a car accident, but months go by with little to no updates. You’ve called several times, and each time, a receptionist tells you, “We’re waiting on medical records.” Meanwhile, your medical bills are piling up, and you’re not sure what’s happening. Then, when the insurance company finally makes an offer, your lawyer tells you to take it — even though you’re still in treatment and the offer doesn’t cover your medical expenses. That’s a situation where firing your lawyer and hiring someone new could make all the difference.
Or imagine you’re dealing with a slip-and-fall case, and your attorney never investigates the scene, doesn’t collect witness statements, and ignores your calls. That’s not diligent representation. A new lawyer could step in, build your case properly, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Bottom Line
Your attorney should work for you, not against you. They should keep you informed, answer your questions, and make you feel confident that your case is being handled professionally and aggressively.
If you feel ignored, pressured, or just uneasy about how things are going, listen to your instincts. Talk to another injury lawyer before firing your current one — a good attorney will review your situation, explain your options, and, if necessary, take over without disrupting your case.
You only get one shot at your injury claim. Make sure the lawyer representing you is someone you trust to get it right.
