Legal Question in Personal Injury in New Jersey

Crappy Lawyer

I had a car accident in Feb. 2002. I have tried on several occassions over the years to contact my lawyer to find out the status but he's never in the office and never returns calls. I was able to get a meeting with him in Sept 2005 and he told me my case was still pending. Since then I've tried to contact him. Anyway, today I pulled out the complaint he sent me in 2004 and called the court to find out the status. They told me the case was dismissed on 8/21/04 due to lack of prosecution. And, on 12/6/2004 one of the defendants was dismissed from the case. I WAS SHOCKED. How could this be when I met with him in 8/2005 and he said the case was pending. Needless to say, I'm furious. Is it too late to have my case done by another lawyer? Can I sue my former lawyer? I am definitely going to the Ethics board on this. I just want to know all my options.


Asked on 9/27/07, 8:21 am

4 Answers from Attorneys
Leonard Haberman Aronberg & Aronberg

Re: Crappy Lawyer

Dear Sir/Madam:

Sounds like this guy is a real toad.

I litigate cases in South Jersey, Philadelphia and South Florida.

I'd be happy to talk to you more about your case. Lawyers like him, if what you say he did is true, give us all a terrible name. How offensive.

I look forard to speaking with you about your legal rights with both disciplinary board and the courts.

Len Haberman

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Answered on 9/27/07, 10:47 am
Robert Davies The Davies Law Firm, P.A.

Re: Crappy Lawyer

I am responding because I am personally and deeply offended when an attorney does this.

Yes, you correctly point out that you can go to the ethics board, and you may have a legal malpractice claim. I have pursued claims against other lawyers three times in my career, and it is not easy nor fun to do so.

I am in northern NJ. I am probably too far away from you to assist, but if you want to make the drive, call my office and set up an appointment.

I fully agree with what the other attorneys said. Let us hope that very few attorneys are this awful.

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Answered on 9/27/07, 11:19 am
Michael Zerres Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari

Re: Crappy Lawyer

I am sorry to hear that you encountered these difficulties. I would be happy to review the matter at no cost to you, and this firm will assist you in any way we can. We have a great deal of experience handling legal malpractice actions surrounding personal injury matters. Please feel free to contact me or any of my partners at the Blume Goldfaden Firm via the profile information provided on this site. We look forward to speaking with you.

Michael B. Zerres

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Answered on 9/27/07, 12:52 pm
Scott Levinson Korybski & Levinson

Re: Crappy Lawyer

A full review of the court file and your lawyer's file is necessary, but based upon the information contained in your question, it appears that you may have grounds to bring an action against your lawyer. The statute of limitations for filing suit has expired and the time to move to vacate the dismissal has also expired. Should you wish to discuss this in further detail I would be happy to speak with you. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss all of your options.

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Answered on 9/27/07, 8:46 am


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