It may feel disheartening to have your case rejected by an attorney. Sometimes, multiple attorneys reject a case before a different attorney decides to accept.
When you are dealing with a legal matter, it is best to work with a skilled legal representative, as legal cases can be quite complex. It can be disheartening when you reach out to several attorneys, only to have your case turned down. Whether it is a personal injury or another legal matter, facing repeated rejections can leave you feeling frustrated and unsure. If you have experienced a case rejection, or maybe several, you may be wondering why this is happening and what you can do. Read on for some of the main reasons for case rejections and guidance on your next steps.
Common Reasons for Case Rejections
Attorneys reject cases for many reasons. Here are some of the common reasons attorneys reject cases;
1. Lack of Experience
An attorney’s refusal to take on your case can be explained by a skill deficit. An attorney lacking experience handling cases akin to yours, meaning they lack specific knowledge to handle your case. For instance, a personal injury attorney who only deals with car accidents might reject your slip and fall case.
2. Case Merit and Evidence
Before an attorney can take on a case, they must determine if it has legal merit. In other words, is your case likely to succeed? If you have insufficient evidence or the facts are unclear, an attorney may decide your case is weak and decline it.
3. Statute of Limitations
In the U.S., there are time limits for pursuing legal cases known as statutes of limitations. Once the statute of limitations “clock” runs out, you lose your right to pursue legal action, unless an exception applies to you. A lawyer may refuse to take your case if the statute of limitations for your case has passed. An attorney might also reject your case if there isn’t enough to build a strong case.
4. Limited Resources
Some cases are costly, time-consuming, or require specialized expertise. A law firm may turn down your case because it doesn’t have enough resources to handle your case.
5. Conflict of Interest
If an attorney has a prior relationship with the opposing party, they cannot represent you, as that would create a conflict of interest. Taking on your case in such a case would be considered unethical.
6. Financial Viability
Before taking on a case, attorneys assess the cost of pursuing the case versus the potential outcome. If an attorney determines that the cost of pursuing your case is too high compared to the possible recovery or likelihood of success, they may turn you down.
What Can You Do?
What Can You Do?
Here is what you can do if attorneys keep rejecting your case;
- Don’t take it personally, as it is not a reflection of you as a person or the validity of your case
- Seek a second opinion from another attorney
- Gather and organize documentation
- Be realistic
While you should not give up, it is vital to remember that sometimes rejection is valid.
Contact The Stone Law Office
If your case has been turned down, contact The Stone Law Office to schedule a consultation. Let us assess your case and determine if we can be of help.