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Suing Your Lawyer

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - If your lawyer mishandles your lawsuit can you sue your lawyer?

A New Jersey Court heard the case against an attorney whom, the plaintiff claimed, had mishandled her breast implant case (interesting choice of words) by failing to provide required information which led to her case being dismissed.

If your store sells you a defective product, you can return it. If your doctor provides poor service, you can sue. But if your lawyer provides poor service, what can you do?

Actually, you have several options.

Like a medical case, you can get a second opinion on your legal case as well. If you think your lawyer is doing something to harm your case, or is not returning your calls or providing service, speak to another lawyer. If you believe that your lawyer has done something that violates the ethical code by, for example, releasing privileged information about your case, failing to give you the funds you are owed, or other breaches, you may report him or her to your state Supreme Court.

In cases of terrible lawyering, you can actually sue your lawyer for legal malpractice.

It's no laughing matter when your breast implants - or any other case - is mishandled, and you have rights against your own lawyer, too.

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