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It’s important to note that there are time limitations that apply when considering a claim for compensation for professional negligence – get in touch with us today on 1300 57 25 18 to make sure your claim is within time. If you miss the time limit that applies to your claim, you may not be able to bring your claim before the Courts.
We provide friendly and plain-speaking legal advice to help you understand the legal process, every step of the way.
We understand that when you have been let down or misled by a professional, there are emotional and mental consequences as well as financial ones. We also understand that undertaking a claim for compensation after going through the ordeal of receiving bad professional advice can feel daunting. We always strive to provide our expertise and services with compassion and care, and a commitment to helping real people.
Our experienced, friendly lawyers can assist you with:
In Australia professionals are required to carry out their services with reasonable care, skill and competence. If they fall short of this standard, and you suffer harm or loss as a result, you may have a legal right to bring a claim for professional negligence.
Broadly speaking, a “professional” is someone whose occupation involves prolonged training and formal qualification. Any person practising a profession can fall within the ambit of professional negligence law. Professionals can include:
Before perusing a claim of professional negligence against a lawyer, solicitor or you should seek independent legal advice. Negligence cases can be complex and your ability to bring a successful claim will depend on a number of factors including the nature of the negligent act, how long ago the act occurred and whether you contributed to the harm or loss suffered.
There are also specific elements that a claimant must prove in order to make a successful negligence claim against a legal professional. These elements are:
Merely being dissatisfied with the service provided or outcome reached by your lawyer does not necessarily mean they have acted negligently. In order to prove negligence a legal professional must have failed in their duty to provide legal services with reasonable care and skill. You may be able to peruse a claim if your lawyer:
The time for bringing a claim for professional negligence can vary depending on the loss or damage suffered and the applicable legislation in your state or territory. In Victoria, a claim for professional negligence must generally be commenced within 6 years of the date you suffered loss and damage occurring as a result of any breach of duty of care owed to you.
If the negligent act results in personal injury, the action must be commenced within 3 years.
In certain circumstances, deadlines can be extended. We recommend seeking professional legal advice if you are unsure about how much time you have to lodge your claim.
If a lawyer drops your case, it means they are ceasing to act for you and are no longer your legal representatives.
It is important to note that a lawyer choosing to drop your case does not necessarily amount to professional misconduct, so long as the decision to do so is in line with legal professional conduct rules.
There are certain circumstances in which a lawyer may lawfully cease acting for you. This might include:
If you believe your lawyer has not handled your legal matter with due care and skill you should get independent legal advice to help understand your options.
For an obligation free discussion, call Gordon Legal on (03) 9603 3000 to speak with a caring and committed member of our team.
In addition to seeking legal advice in relation to professional misconduct, you may choose to make a complaint with the relevant overseeing body in your state of territory. In Victoria, the Legal Services Commissioner is responsible for the receipt, investigation and resolution of complaints about legal practitioners. Further information can be found here.
The above information is related to claims in Victoria. For claims outside the state, please contact our office for specific information as potential claims and time frames vary from state to state.
Our Professional Negligence lawyers have decades of experience in handling difficult cases and understand the unique ins and outs of Professional Negligence claims.
We understand that Professional Negligence can be deeply traumatic and stressful events, which is why we strive to ease your burden by making the legal process as simple as possible for you.
Once you have contacted us, we will organise for you to speak with an experienced lawyer who will go the distance with you and your claim.
We will be in touch within 1 business day if you email. Or you can call 1300 59 95 17, 9am-5pm, Monday - Friday
We can assist you anywhere in Victoria and New South Wales. We can travel to you, or we can talk via Skype or over the phone.
We listen until we understand, and quickly provide the best advice so you can make a well-informed decision.
When you’re ready, give us a call or click on the button below to send us a message. It will go straight to a caring and committed member of our team who will contact you within 24 hours.
Call 1800 21 22 23
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