South Carolina Legal Malpractice Lawyer

South Carolina Legal Malpractice Attorney

When you hire an attorney, there is a mutual understanding that you have placed the fate of your case into their hands. Every attorney is required to act within a certain standard of care and do whatever they reasonably can to fight for a favorable outcome.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and many clients are taken advantage of. To ensure you can hold a negligent lawyer legally responsible, bring your case to our South Carolina legal malpractice lawyer today.

Tatum Law Firm, PLLC: Dependable Legal Aid in South Carolina

People who have experienced lawyer negligence are often more than hesitant to put their trust in another legal professional. However, taking this leap of faith is likely your strongest opportunity to ensure that the individual who hurt you is held accountable and that you receive damages that can help. Any form of legal malpractice or professional negligence is unacceptable and should not go without consequence.

At Tatum Law Firm, PLLC, we work diligently to make sure that the trust placed in our hands is not taken for granted. Our team believes in a personalized approach to every case, which is why we take the time to understand the unique details of your situation. Our lead attorney holds over 23 years of experience and has devoted his career to protecting the rights of South Carolina residents. For compassionate assistance in a legal malpractice case, our team is here to help.

What Are the Elements Involved in Legal Malpractice in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, there are multiple elements that must be proven in order to show that legal negligence or malpractice occurred. While proving all of these elements may seem challenging, our team can guide you through each step of the process to ensure you have a solid case moving forward. The following details must be proven in order to proceed with a legal malpractice claim in South Carolina:

• The lawyer had an agreed-upon professional duty towards representing you for a fee, meaning that a contract was signed in exchange for legal services.
• The lawyer breached that professional duty.
• The client suffered financial damages or any other form of harm.
• The breach of duty by the lawyer was the direct cause of the harm that the client suffered.

The most challenging part of proving the above elements is that just because you lose a legal case does not necessarily mean that negligence was committed. In many cases, a lawyer can perform admirably without making any mistakes and still lose a case.

If you believe you were a victim of legal malpractice in South Carolina, consult our personal injury and legal malpractice team for a full evaluation of your situation.

What Can a South Carolina Legal Malpractice Attorney Do for Me?

In legal malpractice cases, the burden of proof lies on the plaintiff. This burden of proof must be presented by way of expert testimony, which requires a licensed, practicing attorney who is intimately familiar with the standard of practice for the legal services in question. The witness must be able to testify that standard practices were not met and that the damages suffered by the plaintiff were indeed caused by the attorney not following proper standards.

An experienced legal malpractice lawyer can help identify the various elements required to prove negligence for a claim. Additionally, we can assist in proving causation, which means proving that if it wasn’t for the attorney’s negligent actions, then the case would have resulted in a much different outcome. Working with one of our compassionate team members ensures that your story is heard and that you receive adequate legal counsel to hold negligent parties accountable.

South Carolina Legal Malpractice Law FAQs

Q: What Is It Called When a Lawyer Makes a Mistake?

A: Just as with any profession, lawyers can make mistakes, too. However, because the magnitude of legal cases is incredibly high, lawyers are held to a much higher standard than many other professionals. While mistakes can happen occasionally without anyone being harmed, a mistake made by a lawyer can qualify as malpractice if they acted negligently and the outcome ultimately harmed their client. This is known as professional negligence.

Q: How Can You File Legal Malpractice Claims in South Carolina?

A: Yes, you are able to file a claim against an attorney in South Carolina for legal malpractice if they have committed professional negligence, breached their contract, or breached their duty regarding the established standards of practice. While filing a claim is relatively simple, proving the various requirements of a legal malpractice claim can be challenging without help from a qualified attorney.

Q: What Is Professional Negligence by a Lawyer?

A: Professional negligence by a lawyer is defined as when a legal representative fails to reach the established standards of practice or level of care that they are obligated to perform, ultimately causing their client harm. Professional negligence does not occur just because a lawyer loses a case. Instead, it occurs when a lawyer does not consider their client’s interests or acts in ways that do not benefit their client.

Q: What Are Examples of Unethical Attorney Behavior?

A: Unethical attorney behavior can come in a myriad of forms. Some prominent examples of legal malpractice include failing to show up for important meetings, missing crucial deadlines, overbilling, concealing evidence, and failing to disclose relevant information to a client. It is also unlawful for a lawyer to make important decisions without the consent of their client or make false statements against them.

Hold Negligent Lawyers Accountable Today

At Tatum Law Firm, PLLC, we are honored to serve those who decide to instill their trust in us. We are committed to providing the highest standard of professional care possible and work to protect clients who have been harmed by negligent and malicious attorneys. Our dedicated team understands the apprehension that most victims of legal malpractice have and can work diligently to earn your trust and protect your rights.

It’s our professional privilege to fight on your behalf. Contact our firm today to request a consultation with our team to discuss your legal options and how we can help with your unique case.