When we receive professional advice, we expect it to be the guidance we need to make the right choices. Whether legal, financial or business advice, it is important that those we rely on for their professional opinions know what they are doing and provide us with thoughtful, reasoned advice. The consequences for individuals and businesses of careless or poor advice can be far-reaching. It can lead to damage to finances, reputation and more.
If you’re concerned you’ve been given bad or negligent advice, and it has had an adverse effect on your life, it is crucial to seek remedy. You can bring a case for compensation against certain professionals where you can prove that their advice has been negligent.
Understand What Constitutes Professional Negligence
You may have a case to bring if you can prove that the advice you received is not what a similar professional would have given in the same case. Likewise, if you can prove that the advice you received was not in keeping with the usual standards of practice within their field. Often these circumstances arise when a professional offers advice that is beyond their area of expertise.
What Types Of Professionals Does It Cover?
There are many types of professionals that could be liable for professional negligence. The most common areas include legal, financial, technical and business professionals. They are typically people you would hold to a high standard of expertise and may include:
- Solicitors and barristers
- Accountants
- Financial or business advisors
- Surveyors
- Engineers
- Insurance brokers
This is just a small selection of the professionals this type of claim may cover. If you are unsure whether you can bring a claim against the professional who has given you bad advice, it is a good idea to get in touch with a specialist law firm so that they can review your case.
What Kind Of Evidence Do You Need?
You will need to prove that a professional had a duty of care to you or your business and that their advice breached this duty of care. Many professionals have a duty of care to their clients. For instance, if you use an accountant to help you complete your business VAT and taxes, you rely on that accountant’s expertise to ensure you comply with HMRC. If they do not do their job to the correct standard, that could open your business up to legal and financial difficulties.
Get In Touch With A Legal Professional
One of the best ways to find out if you have a case to bring is by contacting a law firm that specialises in such cases. If you have been the victim of professional negligence, you may be understandably wary of trusting professionals again, so it is crucial that you thoroughly vet any law firm to ensure they are the best fit. You should also ensure they have an excellent track record of winning such cases. For an idea of the quality and reliability you should be looking for, consider Lupton Fawcett, who are professional negligence experts.
How Much Compensation Can You Expect?
The amount you may receive in compensation can vary, and it is not always easy to estimate. If you have experienced clear out of pocket expenses due to the advice you received, then this may be recouped in the compensation. It is vital that you have any loss of value to property valued by a trustworthy assessor. You may also receive compensation of monetary loss, provided you can show that this occurred due to the negligent advice.
How To Get Your Claim Started
You should start your claim by finding a law firm you can trust. It is a good idea to do your homework for this step and thoroughly assess the suitability of the legal team you are considering. Once you have found appropriate legal representation, you can start building your supporting evidence with their help. This should include any legal documentation, including contracts, proof of losses and assessments from independent professionals about the level of service you originally received.
Is There A Time Limit?
There is usually a time limit of six years for you to make your case. In some circumstances, this may be extended, but it is usually best to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. Talk to your solicitor to find out whether you are in time to make a case.
The Bottom Line
Falling victim to professional negligence can be distressing. Not only can it harm your finances and reputation, but it can also damage your trust in professionals in the future. Finding a trustworthy law firm to help you bring a case for professional negligence can go a long way to help you recoup any losses and get you back on your feet. When dealing with professionals, it is essential to document as much of your interactions as possible so that you will be protected in the future.