Legal Question in Personal Injury in California
Legal Obligation of Signing a Ratainer Agreement
On 6/18/07 my niece was involved in a traffic accident. Her two children and boyfriend were passengers. After returning home from the hospital emergency room her and the chidren needed to rest. Her boyfriend contacted an attorney. My niece signed a one page retainer agreement that did not include any information covering the represention of the children. She now would like to speak to another attorney about representing her and the children. Does the signing of the ratainer agreement restrict her from speaking to another attorney?
4 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Legal Obligation of Signing a Ratainer Agreement
Your niece is always free to talk to another attorney and/or fire her attorney. She can also talk to her current attorney about representing her children.
Re: Legal Obligation of Signing a Ratainer Agreement
Absolutely not!!! she is free to talk to any attorney of her choice.
Re: Legal Obligation of Signing a Ratainer Agreement
Your niece is free to seek representation and/or get a second opinion about her accident case from any attorney of her choice at any time. If your niece had a serious accident, she and other passengers should get proper testing and treatment in a timely manner and I would highly recommend that they receive treatment with a specialist rather than a physical therapist. If she may change attorney at any time without extra expense to her and the attorney fees will be split between the prior attorney and the new attorney. feel free to contact us at 213.388.7070 for a second opinion or consultation about your case.
Re: Legal Obligation of Signing a Ratainer Agreement
Your niece can talk to another attorney. If she has concerns, now is the time to talk to someone before the case gets further along. The further along the case goes, the harder it is to find another attorney willing to step in.