Professional Negligence Lawyer in Columbia, MO
Professional Negligence Attorneys in Missouri
When dealing with certain types of professionals, generally, there are legal and ethical standards that they must live up to. We work with professionals expecting that they will at least meet minimum service standards. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Professionals such as accountants, attorneys, dentists, pharmacists, and architects do not always adhere to these standards and you may end up suffering a loss due to their negligence.
It is very unlikely that a professional will tell you that they have been negligent. However, if you believe that you have been harmed physically, emotionally, or financially because of a professional's negligence, seeking the assistance of an experienced attorney might be in your best interest.
The attorneys at Holder Susan Slusher, LLC have the tools and resources to handle professional negligence cases throughout Missouri. We will ensure that negligent professionals are held accountable for your injuries or losses.
Providing Guidance for Professional Negligence Claims
It's no secret that a professional's reputation is their number one priority. Accountants, attorneys, dentists, pharmacists, engineers, architects, etc. are very aware that their reputations are their most valuable asset. If involved in a negligence lawsuit, these professionals will fight tooth and nail to defend their reputations.
The tenacity with which these professionals protect themselves is a part of what makes these cases difficult. Depending on what profession the negligence occurred in, providing proof that the professional was liable or negligent can also be challenging. The Missouri statute of limitations has time constraints when filing claims against professionals. This is why it is very important to act fast in order to secure necessary paperwork and evidence.
At Holder Susan Slusher, LLC, our experienced legal team will help identify the issues in your professional negligence claim and make sure that you are made aware of all of your options. We will make certain your best interests are our top priority. We will stand with you and aggressively fight until you receive the full and fair compensation that you deserve.
What Exactly is a Professional Negligence Claim?
Professional negligence claims can be brought against a professional with whom you've been in relationship and who you believe has committed negligent actions. These types of claims can be brought against any professional in any field. The premise is that this professional failed to provide you with the service for which they were hired. If their failure to meet their expected role in the professional partnership resulted in injury or financial loss, you may be entitled to damages.
You hire a professional because of their level of expertise and also the level of care with which their expertise enables them to complete the work you need to be done. Negligence may be something that the professional did that was below the level of ordinary prudence. It may also be something that they did not due when they would have a duty to act.
What are the Elements of a Negligence Claim in Missouri?
All personal injury claims must meet specific criteria to be considered strong. A strong professional negligence claim must involve actions or failure to act that go beyond a simple error that can be resolved between two people. For a claim to be strong, it must have the following elements:
- The professional owed a "duty of care."
- They behaved in a negligent manner.
- Their negligence caused injury, physical damages, property losses, or caused death.
What Kind of Damages Can I Get from a Professional Negligence Claim?
Once your attorney has established that your claim has all of the essential elements and that negligence can be proven, we can begin to explore the aspect of damages. Damages are the compensation to which you're entitled. You can expect this amount to be equal to the cost of the damages that have occurred. Some examples of the types of damages you may be compensated for include:
- Property damage
- Financial reimbursement for services performed to treat an injury or property damage
- Lost wages due to physical or emotional injury
- Compensation for the value of work the professional was hired to complete
- Mileage and other costs incurred to receive necessary care for an injury
When Should I File a Professional Negligence Claim?
Whenever we're considering personal injury claims, including professional negligence claims, we've got to understand what statute of limitations we may be under. The statute of limitations dictates how long you have to file a claim to receive the compensation that is due to you. In the state of Missouri, statutes of limitations can range from two years to 10 years. This can depend on the details of the claim. For example, injury to personal property must be claimed within five years. Cases in which fraud is suspected have a statute of limitations of 10 years.
While there are guidelines in place to allow for time when needed, the best time to seek counsel on a professional negligence claim is always "as soon as possible." Speaking with an experienced attorney as soon as you suspect that negligence has resulted in some type of injury to your person or property is the best way to reduce the entire process of claiming the damages that are owed to you.
Schedule a Free Case Review Today
For more information about our representation, contact the law firm of Holder Susan Slusher, LLC. Call our office today at 573-499-1700 to schedule a free initial consultation and case review.