When Californians hear the term “malpractice,” they will automatically think of a medical mistake that leads to illness or injury to themselves or death of a loved one. However, malpractice is not limited to medical professionals. If other professionals who agree to provide various services make mistakes through intent or incompetence, there is recourse to address it and be financially compensated. When errors are made by an accountant, an attorney, a financial professional or anyone else, it can warrant a professional malpractice legal filing.
Professional malpractice occurs if there are egregious errors related to failing to adhere to the requirements for professionalism, the professional does not live up to the appropriate standard of care, shows negligence, commits fraud or other acts that harm the client. To recover damages in these circumstances, it is important to know what to do to pursue compensation and hold the professional accountable.
Technically, a professional malpractice lawsuit is comparable to a medical malpractice lawsuit. A plaintiff will hire a malpractice attorney who will either charge hourly or on a contingency where they will receive a portion of what was recovered once the lawsuit has been completed and there was an award from a trial or a negotiated settlement.
Clients are frequently unaware or unsure if a professional has committed a breach of conduct that justifies a lawsuit. If the professional client is suspicious that wrongdoing has occurred in any way, having legal advice to assess the situation and take the necessary steps to file a claim is crucial. For information and advice, consulting with a law firm that represents clients in professional malpractice claims might be a wise first step.
