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Does Your Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer Carry Malpractice Insurance?
As a personal injury lawyer in central Illinois, I understand how important it is for clients to hire a trustworthy lawyer to handle their cases with the utmost care and diligence.
However, not all lawyers are created equal, and unfortunately, mistakes can happen even to the best of us. That’s why clients must know whether or not their Illinois personal injury lawyer carries legal malpractice insurance.
What Is Legal Malpractice Insurance?
Legal malpractice insurance is a type of professional liability insurance that provides coverage to lawyers in case they are sued by a client for malpractice. Malpractice insurance policies typically cover legal fees, settlements, and damages up to the policy limit.
The purpose of legal malpractice insurance is to protect both the lawyer and the client in case of a mistake or error made by the lawyer during the representation.
Is Legal Malpractice Insurance Required in Illinois?
Contrary to popular belief, lawyers in Illinois are not required to carry legal malpractice insurance. However, most lawyers carry this type of insurance, as it’s relatively affordable and provides their clients with an added layer of protection.
As a client, you have the right to know whether or not your lawyer carries legal malpractice insurance, and it’s important to ensure they do.
Why Should You Care Whether or Not Your Lawyer Carries Legal Malpractice Insurance?
All lawyers, even the most experienced and diligent ones, are human and can make mistakes. Mistakes can range from simple administrative errors, such as missing a deadline, to more significant errors, such as providing incorrect legal advice.
If your lawyer makes a mistake that results in harm to you or your case, legal malpractice insurance can provide a safety net for you, ensuring that you’re compensated for any losses you incur as a result of the lawyer’s mistake.
How to Find Out If Your Lawyer Carries Legal Malpractice Insurance
If you’re unsure whether or not your lawyer carries legal malpractice insurance, there are a few different ways you can find out.
Ask Them If They Carry Legal Malpractice Insurance
There are a lot of questions to ask when hiring an injury lawyer. Among them is the question of whether they carry malpractice insurance. While lawyers are not required to disclose this information, most will be upfront and honest about whether or not they carry legal malpractice insurance.
Research on the Web
Another way to find out is to use the attorney registration and discipline commission’s website. This website has a search feature that allows you to look up your lawyer and see if they have malpractice coverage.
It’s important to note that not all states have this feature, but Illinois does require lawyers to disclose whether or not they carry legal malpractice insurance when they renew their license each year.
Protect Yourself and Your Personal Injury Case
Legal malpractice insurance is an essential form of protection for both lawyers and clients.
As a client, it’s important to ensure that your lawyer carries this type of insurance, as mistakes can happen to anyone, and you deserve protection in case of a legal malpractice claim. If you’re unsure whether or not your Illinois lawyer carries malpractice insurance, don’t hesitate to ask or use the resources available to verify their coverage.
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