After putting your trust in a lawyer, it can be disappointing to learn that mistakes were made that hurt your claim. Even if the lawyer’s errors were not intentional, they can have a lasting impact on your life, often leading to further legal, financial, and emotional struggles.
If your lawyer didn’t meet the standard of care expected of their position, our Alberta legal malpractice lawyers understand the frustration you may feel. It’s normal to be hesitant about trusting another lawyer, but you don’t have to go through this alone.
With over 50 years of providing award-winning service to Albertans, our family-owned law firm is here to help. Contact us for a free consultation. We’ll help you find the solution, even if we’re not it.
Get answers to the following topics and questions:
- What Is Legal Malpractice?
- Signs Your Lawyer May Have Been Negligent
- How Legal Malpractice Cases Are Proven
- What Compensation May Be Available to Those Impacted by Legal Malpractice?
- Why Choose Litco Law for Legal Malpractice Claims in Alberta
- Steps To Take After a Lawyer’s Mistakes Impact Your Legal Claim
- Our Alberta Legal Malpractice Team Can Help You Today
- Legal Malpractice Frequently Asked Questions
Award-winning and trusted since 1976, Litco Law has helped thousands of Albertans navigate some of life’s toughest moments. With 800+ 5-star Google reviews, our team is known for delivering exceptional results and caring support when it matters most.
“You probably hoped you’d never need a lawyer. We do our best to make it a positive experience if you do.”
– Jonathan Noorduyn, President & Lawyer, Litco Law
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What Is Legal Malpractice?
In Alberta, lawyers are held to the standard of a “reasonably competent or prudent lawyer,” requiring them to provide the same care, skill, and knowledge as any reasonable professional in their field would.
Legal malpractice occurs when a lawyer fails to meet this standard, resulting in financial losses or other harm to the client. If your lawyer failed to act as a reasonably competent or prudent lawyer would have in the same situation, you may be entitled to compensation for the hardships you’ve faced as a result.
It’s important to note that not every unfavourable outcome is legal malpractice. Sometimes, even careful lawyers face complex and unpredictable situations.
Signs Your Lawyer May Have Been Negligent
“Negligent” means that someone failed to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm or injury to another party. If you believe your lawyer mishandled your claim, here are possible signs of legal negligence:
- Failing to meet deadlines: Missing important legal deadlines, such as a limitation period, causing your claim to be dismissed, or losing your right to recover compensation
- Conflicting interests: Not letting you know about professional or personal connections that would compromise your claim
- Mishandling your claim: Failing to conduct an investigation, gather available evidence, or present your case as they could have
- Ethical misconduct: Agreeing to a settlement without your consent, or misusing funds
- Careless communication: Not sharing settlement offers, providing misleading information that led to decisions that affected your claim outcome
In some cases, your lawyer may notify you that a mistake was made and recommend that you speak with a different law firm. Because every situation is different, it’s often best to contact an Alberta legal malpractice law firm to determine whether your lawyer was negligent.
How Legal Malpractice Cases Are Proven
Proving a legal negligence lawsuit involves several steps that can be complicated without prior experience. But our legal malpractice lawyers are ready to help. We’ll handle all the steps needed to prove the elements of negligence, including:
Duty
When a lawyer and a client enter into a relationship in which the lawyer provides professional services to the client, that typically creates a duty of care. Our team can investigate if a professional relationship and duty of care existed between you and your lawyer.
Breach of Duty
A breach of duty means the lawyer did not meet the standard of a “reasonably competent or prudent lawyer,” requiring them to provide the same care, skill, and knowledge as any reasonable professional in their field would.
Causation
The actions or inaction of the lawyer directly caused you harm or loss. This means the outcome of your legal matter would have been different if your lawyer had not made the professional errors.
Losses
There must be measurable losses as a result of the lawyer’s mistakes, such as lost funds.
We can take the legal burden off your shoulders and make sure you are informed, empowered, and cared for throughout the claims process.
What Compensation May Be Available to Those Impacted by Legal Malpractice?
If your lawyer’s mistakes or carelessness affected the outcome of your case, you may be able to get compensation for financial losses and other difficulties, such as:
- Lost settlement or judgment: The value of the claim you would have received if your claim was likely to be successful, if the legal errors hadn’t occurred
- Direct financial loss: Misappropriated or lost funds that the lawyer was responsible for handling
An experienced legal malpractice lawyer in Alberta will carefully assess your situation and make sure everything you’ve been through is accounted for in your claim.
Why Choose Litco Law for Legal Malpractice Claims in Alberta
If a lawyer’s errors hurt the outcome of your claim, you may feel unsure about what to do next. We believe you deserve a fair opportunity to receive compensation for what went wrong.
With decades of experience handling complex and sensitive lawyer negligence claims, Litco Law aims to make the legal process easier, clearer, and more supportive.
Our team puts our clients at the centre of everything we do. We prioritize transparency and open communication, with regular updates on claims every 30 days or less, and a 24-hour response time for messages and questions. Clients can also check the status of their claim at any time and from anywhere using our convenient client portal.
We offer award-winning legal services throughout Alberta, with offices in:
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Lethbridge
- Red Deer
You can get started with a free consultation to learn more about your rights and legal options. Our team provides free legal answers to help you decide your next steps.
What To Expect When You Work With Litco Law
When you work with us, you don’t just get a lawyer. You get your own personal legal team that will be with you throughout the course of your claim. We call this team a “pod.” It includes a lawyer, a case manager, a client care specialist, and a legal assistant who work together to give you the focus and attention you deserve. You can expect unwavering support and legal advocacy as we pursue justice on your behalf.
There is no upfront cost to hire us, and we never bill by the hour. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay us anything while your claim progresses. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement we recover for you, and you’ll know that percentage before you ever hire us.
Hear From Litco Law Clients
We have over 800 five-star Google reviews, which reflect our commitment to our clients and passion for justice. Here’s what recent clients have to say about working with our team:
- “I recently had the pleasure of working with the Litco Law team and was impressed by their exceptional support and prompt responses to my inquiries. The staff’s professionalism and friendliness were evident throughout, making them a pleasure to work with and highly recommendable. The client service was outstanding, with the team consistently going above and beyond. I am thoroughly impressed. The office’s welcoming layout is also noteworthy, adding a touch of warmth to the overall experience. Thank you very much Litco Law Team” – Issa C.
- “I had an exceptional experience with Litco Law. Their team demonstrated outstanding professionalism and provided consistently clear and accurate information throughout the duration of my case. Not only was the process handled efficiently, but the outcome significantly exceeded my expectations. I wholeheartedly recommend Litco Law to anyone seeking highly capable and dedicated legal representation.” – Joshua J.
Steps To Take After a Lawyer’s Mistakes Impact Your Legal Claim
If you suspect your lawyer’s carelessness affected your claim outcome, here are some steps to keep in mind that can protect your legal rights:
- Gather and organize your legal documents, contract paperwork, billing records, and any correspondence with your lawyer.
- Keep track of and document pain points you experienced while working with the lawyer, such as poor communication or missed deadlines.
- Request a copy of your full claim file from the lawyer when possible.
- Contact a lawyer who can walk you through what to expect.
We know legal malpractice can be an emotional experience, and you may want to take action right away. Consider speaking with a professional negligence lawyer who regularly handles these types of claims. They will know how to assess the full impact of the lawyer’s mistakes to ensure everything you’ve been through is accounted for in your claim.
Our Alberta Legal Malpractice Team Can Help You Today
After a lawyer mishandles your claim, our team is ready to help. Lawyers You’ll Love will be by your side to fight for fairness and work to get you the compensation you deserve for what you’ve been through.
Contact us online or request a free consultation by calling (587) 602-0514. A compassionate team member is ready to answer your questions and provide guidance on your next steps.
Legal Malpractice Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions we get about legal malpractice claims in Alberta. To get answers specific to your situation, reach out to us at any time.
Is Losing a Claim Always Legal Malpractice?
No, an unfavourable outcome doesn’t mean the lawyer was negligent. Legal malpractice is based on whether the lawyer met the professional standards required of their position and whether a mistake affected the outcome of the claim. If you suspect that your claim was misandled, speak with an Alberta legal malpractice lawyer to discuss your options.
How Long Do I Have to File a Legal Malpractice Claim in Alberta?
While there are some exceptions, the standard limitation period in Alberta for a legal malpractice claim is typically two years from when you first discover —or reasonably should have discovered—that a lawyer’s mistake resulted in harm. Because missing this deadline could mean losing your right to pursue a claim, consider speaking with a malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.
Can I Sue My Former Lawyer While My Claim Is Still Ongoing?
You usually can’t sue a lawyer in Alberta until your original case is resolved. To prove a malpractice claim, there has to be measurable losses or harm that resulted from the lawyer’s errors. If your case is still ongoing, your losses or how much you’ve lost won’t be known yet.
Every case is unique, so it may help to speak with an experienced legal professional about your situation. We understand that this can feel overwhelming, but we offer free consultations to help you understand your legal options.
What Kind of Proof Is Required in a Legal Malpractice Claim?
If you decide to hire us, our Alberta malpractice lawyers will get to work right away to gather and preserve important evidence that can support your claim, such as:
- Retainer agreements
- Communication records
- Original case files
- Trial transcripts
- Expert witness evidence
- Proof of expenses or unnecessary costs caused by the malpractice
How Much Does It Cost to Speak With Litco Law?
Litco Law offers free, no-obligation consultations to discuss your situation, explain your rights after legal malpractice, and provide guidance on how to move forward. There is no cost for an initial claim review with our legal team.
