What Are an Attorney's Obligations When a Client Has Had a Brain Injury?

What Are an Attorney’s Obligations When a Client Has Had a Brain Injury?
Question: 

What are an attorney’s obligations when a client is not able to fully understand his options? In this situation, the attorney is pushing for settlement of a workers’ compensation claim, which we feel is not in the client’s best interest. It’s hard because the client doesn’t understand what he doesn’t understand.

Answer: 

In New York State, as in most states, ethical rules govern the conduct of attorneys. These rules regulate the attorney-client relationship and impose considerable obligations upon attorneys and provide for significant rights for clients.

Generally, the rights of clients are codified in some form. In New York, the following statement is contained within the client’s bill of rights: “You are entitled to an attorney capable of handling your legal matter competently and diligently, in accordance with the highest standards of the profession. If you are not satisfied with how your matter is being handled, you have the right to withdraw from the attorney-client relationship at any time (court approval may be required in some matters and your attorney may have a claim against you for the value of services rendered to you up to the point of discharge).” The client’s bill of rights further specifies: “You are entitled to have your legitimate objectives respected by your attorney; including whether or not to settle your matter (court approval of a settlement is required in some matters).”

Workers compensation matters are generally governed by specific rules promulgated by each state and set forth in each state’s workers compensation law. These cases are generally processed in specific tribunals set up solely for the purpose of adjudicating workers compensation matters.

Attorneys should not agree to represent a client in matters in which they do not have adequate expertise. In workers compensation cases involving claims of a traumatic brain injury, this requires that the attorney must first be well versed in the specific rules relating to issues involving workers compensation and appearances before the workers compensation board, but further necessitates that he or she must also have knowledge in the area of traumatic brain injury.

If an individual does not believe that his attorney is properly representing his best interests, or if a client no longer trusts or has confidence in his legal representative, then it is time to retain a new lawyer. A client always has the right to change attorneys and may do so at any time.

Before clients agree to settle any case, the terms of the settlement must be disclosed and explained in full to them. If the client does not understand the terms of the settlement, he has a right to ask questions and gain a full appreciation of the settlement’s ramifications before it is accepted. Frequently, settlements are reached in court or at the workers compensation board at which the litigant must appear before a Judge to formally accept the terms of the settlement. During this proceeding, it is important for the client to inform the Judge if he is not satisfied with his legal representation. Further, clients should inform the judge if they do not understand the terms of the settlement, do not want to settle their case, or believe that they are being improperly coerced into a settlement. Unfortunately, if they do not speak up at this juncture or pose any questions, the court will assume that they understand the terms of the settlement and are satisfied, and it may be impossible to invalidate the settlement at a later time.

One of the best ways to assure that an individual receives proper legal representation is to choose a brain injury lawyer with care. Family members can assist an individual in this process by accompanying the individual when he or she interviews a potential attorney and by screening an attorney in regard to his or her knowledge, education and experience in this area of litigation.

Since the results of your law suit will have important and long term impact upon the quality of your life, it is important to determine who the best lawyer is for your brain injury case.

  • Here are some questions to ask any attorney who you are considering retaining in a brain injury case:
  • How many cases, similar to mine, have you been involved with as the principal attorney over the past three years?
  • What percentage of your practice is devoted to representing persons with a traumatic brain injury?
  • Will you be handling my case personally or will you be referring it to another lawyer or law firm?
  • What have been your results in representing persons with cases similar to mine?
  • Have you written and published any articles on traumatic brain injury?
  • Have you lectured to any bar associations, brain injury associations or other groups about the effective legal representation of persons with traumatic brain injury?
  • Do you actively participate in your state’s brain injury association?
  • Do you regularly attend conferences and read textbooks and articles about traumatic brain injury?
  • Have you ever received any professional honors and awards concerning your representation of persons with a brain injury?

The ability of family members or close friends to intervene on behalf of an individual they believe is not receiving adequate legal representation is extremely limited since this third party is not part of the legal relationship between attorney and client and does not have “legal standing” in the eyes of the law. However, if it can be shown to a Court that the individual is not capable of making an informed decision and cannot adequately protect his or her rights, then proceedings may be instituted and a court order can be sought for the appointment of a legal guardian. The court appointed legal guardian can then substitute his or her judgment in place of the impaired individual, as to matters regarding the lawsuit.

A more practical approach is for a family member to speak candidly with the injured person and discuss the need to obtain a written “power of attorney” from the injured individual. Such “power” will allow the designated person the legal right to substitute his or her judgment on the other’s behalf. In order for this “power of attorney” to be legally valid, it must be shown that the individual who executes the document has the ability to make an informed decision. It cannot be entered into by an individual who lacks the mental capacity to understand the nature and effect of this legal instrument. Each State has very strict rules as to how this document must be executed, the language that must be used, how it is to be witnessed, and specifically, the powers that may be shared.

 

Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

Posted on BrainLine December 16, 2010. Reviewed March 20, 2018.

About the author: Shana De Caro, Esq.

Shana De Caro, Esq. is partner at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP. Ms. De Caro serves on the board of directors for both the Brain Injury Association of America and the New York Academy of Trial Lawyers. She is first vice president of the American Academy of Brain Injury Attorneys and serves as secretary of the Civil Justice Foundation.

Shana De Caro

Comments (22)

Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

I wish I had read, seen, or known about this information. I am now 3 years removed from my accident and still impaired by a rear end collision. The results? TBI. An insufficient settlement and debilitating symptoms. Excellent article.

Thanks for sharing this article. This is very helpful. Keep publishing a great and helpful article like this.

Resourceful article. You have cleared many of my query. Legal aid or legal service is really important for everyone. Most of the time we don't have clear idea about the law. But this article helped me a lot to understand . Thank you author for very informative article. To find out a good lawyer is not easy task but if everyone explores properly its not hard and this kind of article helps a lot.

Find a firm that will send you for VNG testing with a neuro referral. This procedure will confirm your head injury and more importantly will set you up for the care plan you need. Slam dunk case for your attorney. Be well and lots of self-care.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6413644/

Hi, I just want to ask why my lawyer never say anything if she file a lawsuit already .It's been over two years going to three years already but she never say anything about my head injury case .Pls, can you answer why and do i need to hire another lawyer?

I have a brain injury from a car accident 4 Years ago, I also have many cervical surgeries and Hip surgery. My neurologist ordered a brain MRI and there was some white matter problems, but he didn’t do anything to treat me or help me. Now I can’t get a hold of him, and my attorney is not pursuing my brain injury now because we can’t get a hold of my neurologist concerning that. My trial is less than a month, and I don’t know what to do!

What happened with this I'm in the same boat and my lawyer quit while having a lean on me I'm 3 months awY from trial no one will accept me

In what state do you live? Most likely your attorney took your case on contingency? If so, the reason your attorney is not pursuing the fact you have a brain injury, is likely due to you living in a no fault state, you have a small policy amount and the firm does not want to risk losing money, or maybe the firm, who all work on a "billable hour" basis has calculated how much time they have already spent, the value of your case, and they have determined there is no more money for them to get that is worth their time, so they move on to the next victim. For example, in the state of new jersey, a person hit by an individual versus a commercial vehicle is limited to the amount of their policy, so MVA cases, including those who suffer brain injuries, are forced into arbitration, and many or order by the courts to sign the settlement papers. So, my advise to you is to file a Human Rights violation with the Department of Justice, because the corruption around auto, home, medical, and other insurance issues for MVA victims, is only getting worse. In fact, most people don't realize until they get into an accident, that most states have passed so many laws that affect insurance benefits post accident, the policy they paid thousands of dollars for over many years is now almost worthless. My heart goes out to you, because I too struggle some of the same issues, but do get the white matter issues checked out, as MS could possibly be an issue if you suffered a lot of damage to your spine, spinal cord, nerves, and central nervous system. I will say a prayer for you, but what we all really need is one very large CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THESE STATES allowing their lawmakers to fill their pockets with money from insurance companies, who are basically paying them to pass these laws. In addition, human rights violations need to be filed as well, but that is just my opinion. Until people in the United States start standing up and fighting for our rights, and against greed and corruption, nothing will every change. We are supposed to be country of "the free and the brave", but that belief dies a long time ago. If you can't relief in the United States, file a global human rights violation. Maybe then someone in our government will do something, instead of just paying the states who get paid to pass laws that require all brain and spinal cord injuries be reported to the federal government who is collecting brain and spinal cord injury data, to see how large the issue is, and trust me it is a large issue. Once your name and data are captured, it will harm you, and most like you subject/limit you to "palliative care"/minimal treatment of symptoms, for the rest of your life. Ask your lawyer if they have expertise in brain injuries, and quiz them if you have to. If they are not knowledgeable start looking for a new attorney, but say nothing until you find a new one, but be aware they all talk, so the only response you need to give is "I recently learned I have brain injuries which I did not know when I hired my current lawyer, and now I need a lawyer with brain injury expertise. However, don't do this until you know the laws in your state, such as auto policy limitations, PIP limitations, and any tort or MVA laws that will get in the way of your pursuing a legal brain injury case. My last piece of advise is TRUST NO ONE not your lawyer, doctors, or anyone else, and say nothing to anyone about your case, and write down everything that happens with the date, time, etc., as you may need it in the future. Good luck with getting the help you need!

Greetings! Can anyone on here suggest resources that would help me in Maryland?

Wow. My injuries happened in the NM oilfield 26 months ago. It was 19-1/2 hours into a 22-1/2 hour work day. I know, an people think there is no longer slavery.

I find it simply amazing just how openly dishonest the insurance companies attorney's are allowed to be, and without consequences from the courts. So much so that when I read about a particular violation that the opposing WC attorney was clearly guilty of and that there was a mandatory $5k fine. I brought it to my attorney's attention and he said; I have only seen that enforced twice in 35 years and the last time was over ten years ago.

An this is the guy who only oh too often tries to remind me that he is the only one trying to do any good for me. I suppose Doctor Kevorkian had a similar view of the services he provided.

So this "Attorney" has advised me that if tomorrow's settlement conference do not end with my satisfaction, he is done with my case. Well considering that in less then three hours of negotiating he got us from 40k under my highest number and now sitting at what I told him would be my lowest number, I can only hope that he shows up prepared to hand over the documents to the case.

This guy has seen my family almost loose our home, have to sell my truck to cover the property taxes. Go through a winter without firewood which is our only form of heat. All during a period of time that he is boastfully able to share the fact, in court that as my representative, for well over a year, he has not yet had to spend a dime on discovery.

In layman's terms that means he has not spent any monies collecting records or obtaining interviews or doing anything to enable him to take a offensive position on my behalf. I have to assume that he believes the world is flat and people go to court to play fair.

I am a TBI survivor, as well as a paralegal. I would like to also suggest looking into Avvo.com to verify attorneys, and don't use attorneys who advertise too much. In the law field, (IMO), that's sneezy. Especially the Personal Injury attorneus.

My God, your comments I read are very very similar to what I have and continue to go through. Even doing w/o pellets & firewood.

I was re-injured, on 1/2017, as I suffer from a TBI, PTSD, Nephropathy in left foot @ a Casino on Indian land when a drunk man fell on top of me & my service dog. Almost all the lawyers I've contacted tell me to look up the State bar for referral.....SEEM"S  They just want easy-lay-down cases. I also.. feel like I've been actively discriminated
wish I could find an aggressive attorney.

 

Very informative blog with helpful information. I like to read your every blog to get needed information.

Jan M. Weinberg

Need malpractice attorney around Lancaster, pa

The lawyer is guided by the legal system, which is flawed, severely. Best practices standards should  require special standards when representing brain injured and especially at the point  the attorney's interests conflict  the client's,  e.g. when executing the retainer. Witnesses signatures on every page and  at every significant paragraph at a minimum. Monitoring progress throughout the case, too.

Dear lonely I hope you are doing better. You are not alone in your pain . I fell down a flight of stairs while working as a sales rep, I have just about every injury u do, add a torn labrum and bicep tendon. I was placed on workers comp I hired a lawyer before knew anything was wrong with my brain. The insurance company for Wc was A.I.G . The things that happen to me no one could dream up. Just to name a few , The WC lawyer lied to me. Told me I had to settle said my benifits where running out! Month prior had a Nerophyc eval . Stated there was damage. No dr would released me. I asked about head and surgiery lawyer told me there was no PROOF I HIT MY HEAD. But liability was excepted so I was set for life . Gets better.. 2004 /06! After settmemt no contact or return calls from WC lawyer ! One letter saying he checked into a third party action and there was not a case O7 trying to get on with my life still trying to get approvals for medical treatments need surgery took a summer course . Get a letter from AIG copy Cc to Wc lawyer saying I have to go to see the insurance company doc. Wc lawyer won't return call. I go to dr. I hire different attorney. All want is AiG to do is pay me back and approve my treatments that we agree to in court, .. This firm discovered that not only wAs there a third party. From the home fall. But that i didn't fall down a flight of stairs. I walked off a ledge in the hallway fell into the stairwell then down a of stair. The lump sum settlement Agreement i signed and to what terms I agree to .. Wasn't the one I agree to Court .,HAD BEEN altered By both Wc lawyer and AIG. AIG CHANGED TO NO LIABLIY FOR HEAD INJURY !! Well the firm had already filed suit against the homeowners! And the only good thing about that was ! At least I know how I fell! That law firm along with the Wc lawyer lost that case for me . Dismissed at summary judgement . I won't even get into that. Except for the ingonance of the TBI in the Courts today, one reason because I couldn't Recall what the stairs looked like/what step / ect that I began my fall'. Theres more is more I appealed the motion and lost. All way up. The appeals attorney as soon as they got the answer back . They handed my case to a legal malpractice attorney . Obviously these lawyers found mounds of violations done to me by My Wc lawyer and 93a violations against AIG INSURANCE COMPANY! The worst is I've still no help. No surgery had 2008 Nero eval. Taken with no pain medication . Results a improved very little or none . 3weeks ago . I was told that AIG and the Wc filed a motion to dismiss on statue of limitation and motion for summary judgment. They claim that we'll many things. But one is I'm faking,;I AS SOON AS I WALKED IN MY LAWYER ASKED IF I EVER SAW THE RESULTS OF THE AIG IME DOC visit in Sept 12 2007! I had not . No one had. My lawyer found then in there boxes of files ! I couldn't believe what I was reading " within 100 % reasonable medical certainty the injury to mrs ---/ brain injury as well as her labrum tears are a direct cause of her work related accident 10/14/07" I would not at this time realease her to a 2year college.. since it 3 post accident I and there has been no treatment I would say her prognosis is guarded "....... This from their own doctor. I pray they do not win these motions ! AIG was a government bailout they misrepresented and misused the money and got ..pick you lawyers wisely oh I have a copy of the original lump sum agreement I signed . I took my copy home :)god bless maybe you can Appeal

I posted under discrimination. If you are injured on the job you have lost all of your rights. I thought this was only true for NJ. I tried to change attorneys but once they hear comp. and you already have someone they are not interested. Had my accident - Getting a steel cafeteria door kicked into my head at close range -happened anywhere but at my workplace I could have hired a brain injury specialist. I never dreamed 15 1/2 years later I would have to accept a 50K settlement and still be waiting for the comp. carrier to provide treatment ordered by judge 2 months ago.

They are responsible for my treatment for the rest of my life. The judge acknowledged I would be required to use an attorney for any health care issues. I have excellent health coverage but I am not permitted to use it for any work related injury. Part of my settlement indemnified me from claims by my own heath insurance- but I was warned by judge that I am only allowed to be treated by workman's comp. insurance. Still waiting ... 15 1/2 years and counting.

This situation preys on the vulnerable and it needs to be fixed. In NJ there is legal precedent that protects comp. carriers and doctors from being sued. I even looked into a class action suit, but I am limited in what can do - we all are- unless some able minded professionals take up this legal battle, more of us will suffer harm from this system.

I got hit by a tractor trailer truck. I am brain injured and have back surgery knee and leg surgery. My attorney strung my case along for 5 year. Then the court allowed her to withdraw from the case. No other lawyer in the town would help me. Guess what? Mind you I am brain injured. I had to do my court case alone. I understood nothing. They said I caused the accident. Trans am trucking company gave me $0. I got treated like dirt. I don't go outside of the house anymore. I have stopped eating. But I know God is going to send somebody so they won't get away with what they have done to me. Whew....that felt good to get that off my chest. Thanks. From, lonely

I worked at the Florida Court and was fired because I have a severe traumatic brain injury. I worked 4 years there and I had a couple of seizures and ambulances were called. I got fired on the last seizure. I too had to go to court by myself without any legal knowledge or assistance. Guess who the judge found in favor of? Yes, himself (the court). If the courts can break these laws then there are no laws to protect the disability laws and rights.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. My lawyer strung mine along over 6 years and it was looking to be another 2 years before my trial would be all said and done. My attorney was certainly not good but I couldn't imagine having to deal with all of it without him. It's mind blowing the judge allowed that. Over the last six years or so and with my mother being an attorney for 20 some years I've met a ton of different lawyers all over the country. Depending on what state you are in i would like to try and help you if possible. So if you want let me know what state your case is in and maybe I know someone who could maybe help you.

HI
I LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY { QUEENS ] CAN YOU RECOMMEND AN ATTORNEY THAT WILL TAKE MY CASE, NEARLY 1 YEAR NOW, NONE ARE INTERESTED BECAUSE I DID NOT CONTACT THEM STRAIGHT AWAY, BUT HAVE TONS OF MEDICAL REPORTS, OF HOSPITAL VISTS, TONS OF NEUROLIGAL TESTS, X HAVE AT LEAST 3 R 4 DOCTORAPPS EVERY WEEK, IM SO EXCUSTED WIT NO SLEEP X CHRONIC PAIN, I CANT EVEN DEAL WITH DAY TODY CHORES, X I HAVE OVER 50% MEMORY LOSS, I THINK FIRST THIG I NEED IS AN ADVOCATE? TO SORT OUT THE MESS OF ALL MY PAPER WORK X APPOITMENTS, IM JUST OVERWHELMED WITH EVERTHING, ON TOP OF IT ALL I GOT AN EVICTION NOTICE, PLEASE TRY TO ADVICE OR HELP, I HAVE TO RESPOND TO SS DISABILITY BEFORE THE 26th OF NOV,

I got hurt on the job November 2015. I suffered a brain injury and my attorney has withdrew from my case right before compensation hearing. Work comp doctor said at first my mental injuries was due to the on the job injury. After he ask me to lie about some things because he said my case would cause insurance a ton of money. After I told the WC doctor I was going to report him now he have changed his deposition and said I already had these issues and the on the job injury made it worst. I warned my attorney before she withdrew of wc saying he would change his statement. I have proof. I now have another work compensation hearing in January 2019 and is in desperate need of a new attorney. Please help I can't do this along and my family and I have suffered enough due to my workplace injury. Lost our 2 story home and had to live in a hotel with our 2 children. My husband had to leave his job as a sheriff to take care of me. WC doctor gave him a note to be off to care for me but this should have been WC responsibility. I was 35 and now 39 from Tennessee.