What is the name of your state? Illinois
I was involved in an on-the-job car accident for the US postal service 4 years ago (2-24-01), and 2 weeks ago, (on 2-24-05) I received a letter from my lawyers law partner stating that, "because of personal reasons, my attorney was no longer practicing law and that I would have to find new counsel, since the remaining 2 attorney's can not handle my case".... When I asked for my file, so that I could start looking for a new attorney, I was informed, by this law firm, that I would have to pay $3000.00 before they would give me my 4 year old case file so that I could take it a new attorney for review.. One week later I had a consultation with a new attorney, told him my situation, and he said that he could not make a decision if he wanted to take the case without looking at the file, he said that his firm would not pay the 3 grand for the file either. He also told me that I would have difficulty in getting a new attorney without the file, since it is an old case, which is NOT settled, and very involved.. I have a sort of catch 22 here, I don't have the 3grand, and I can't obtain a new attorney without it.. Don't I have the right to my case file, since my former attorney lost his license and dropped me as a client? I really need some input on my situation....
I was involved in an on-the-job car accident for the US postal service 4 years ago (2-24-01), and 2 weeks ago, (on 2-24-05) I received a letter from my lawyers law partner stating that, "because of personal reasons, my attorney was no longer practicing law and that I would have to find new counsel, since the remaining 2 attorney's can not handle my case".... When I asked for my file, so that I could start looking for a new attorney, I was informed, by this law firm, that I would have to pay $3000.00 before they would give me my 4 year old case file so that I could take it a new attorney for review.. One week later I had a consultation with a new attorney, told him my situation, and he said that he could not make a decision if he wanted to take the case without looking at the file, he said that his firm would not pay the 3 grand for the file either. He also told me that I would have difficulty in getting a new attorney without the file, since it is an old case, which is NOT settled, and very involved.. I have a sort of catch 22 here, I don't have the 3grand, and I can't obtain a new attorney without it.. Don't I have the right to my case file, since my former attorney lost his license and dropped me as a client? I really need some input on my situation....