Tag Archives: emotional distress
Can a Client Sue a Lawyer for Emotional Distress?
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS DAMAGES GENERALLY ARE NOT RECOVERABLE IN LEGAL MALPRACTICE ACTIONS As a general rule, damages for legal malpractice do not include emotional distress if the client suffered only economic loss or property damages. This is because, under California law, lost property does not “naturally” lead to emotional distress. While it’s true that the… Read More »
Emotional Distress in Legal Malpractice Actions
DAMAGES FOR EMOTIONAL DISTRESS ARE NOT TYPICALLY RECOVERABLE IN LEGAL MALPRACTICE ACTIONS. Generally speaking, plaintiffs in legal malpractice actions cannot recover damages for emotional distress resulting from the lawyer’s negligence (malpractice). However, damages for emotional distress may be available in legal malpractice actions where the client can prove: 1. The emotional distress was severe, and… Read More »
Emotional Distress in Legal Malpractice Cases
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS DAMAGES ARE NOT NORMALLY AVAILABLE IN LEGAL MALPRACTICE ACTIONS Some lawsuits, and some types of claims, allow a plaintiff to recover (or attempt to recover) damages to compensate for emotional distress (and resulting injuries) suffered as a result of a defendant’s wrongful conduct. The general rule in California is that damages for… Read More »
Emotional Distress Damages in Legal Malpractice
As a general rule, plaintiffs cannot recover damages for emotional distress in a legal malpractice action. THE GENERAL RULE: EMOTIONAL DISTRESS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE PLAINTIFF SUFFERS ONLY PROPERTY DAMAGE OR ECONOMIC LOSS Where the attorney’s “ordinary negligence” causes only economic or property-related damages, the plaintiff cannot recover damages for emotional distress. The stress of… Read More »
Damages in Attorney Malpractice: What Must A (Former) Client Prove?
Damages are a mandatory element of a legal malpractice action. If the plaintiff has not incurred demonstrable damages as a result of an attorney’s wrongful conduct, the malpractice claim cannot prevail. Although it seems unfair to some people, “mere” breach of a professional duty–without measurable damages–does not create a legal malpractice claim. Nominal damages… Read More »
