Philadelphia Professional Negligence Attorney

Quinn Injury Lawyers: Navigating Accountability in Specialized Services

Ordinary negligence is a common source of accidents, attributing liability to individuals or businesses for damages caused by careless actions. Similarly, professional negligence holds specialists to a heightened standard due to their expertise in specific fields. This form of negligence arises when professionals fail to fulfill their duties, creating a legal avenue for individuals harmed by their actions.

A professional negligence may be brought against an accountant, architect, or even an attorney. At Quinn Injury Lawyers, our Philadelphia professional negligence lawyers are strong, experienced advocates for clients. We fight for justice. If you or your loved one was harmed by professional negligence in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, we are here to help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.

Understanding Professional Negligence

Professionals across various domains, from medical practitioners to lawyers, architects, and IT professionals, can face legal consequences if their actions result in harm to a patient, client, or business. While medical malpractice is a prevalent form of professional negligence, other experts such as accountants, consultants, and real estate agents can also face legal malpractice if their negligence causes substantial losses.

Exercising Reasonable Care

When undertaking professional services, individuals commit to exercising reasonable care, defined as the level of caution and concern that a prudent person would employ in similar circumstances. This requirement demands adherence to high standards of care, aligning actions with what other professionals would do under comparable conditions.

Two evaluation methods, foreseeability tests and multifactor tests, gauge whether a professional exercised reasonable care. Foreseeability tests assess if harm could have been reasonably predicted, such as missing a deadline leading to fines. Multifactor tests consider factors like the extent of damages, alternative actions, and associated costs.

Examples of Professional Malpractice

Malpractice represents a failure by professionals to meet the standards of a specific area of practice. As defined simply by the Legal Information Institute, professional negligence “occurs when a professional breaches a duty to a client.” It can lead to serious financial loss, physical injury, or other damage to the client(s). Of course, these incidents can tarnish the reputation of the professionals involved and they can lead to civil legal consequences through a malpractice claim. Professional malpractice manifests in various scenarios:

• Accountants: Accountants can be held responsible for malpractice. For example, one common form of malpractice by these professionals involves failing to file a client’s tax forms on time. It is a major oversight that can result in significant financial penalties—from interest on past due tax liability to other consequences for the taxpayer. Beyond the immediate financial impact, it can cause long-term damage to the client’s financial health and credit rating.
• Architects: Within the field of architecture, professional malpractice often involves errors in blueprints that lead to structural design flaws. Such errors can compromise the safety and functionality of a building, resulting in costly repairs, legal liability, and in severe cases, even endangering lives. The simple reality is that architects are entrusted with the safety and well-being of their projects’ end-users. If they are negligent, that is a major problem.
• IT Professionals: For IT professionals, implementing inadequate data security measures that lead to a customer data breach is a significant form of malpractice. In an era where data is one of the most valuable assets, a breach can have far-reaching consequences for customers/clients. Some potential bad results include identity theft, financial loss, and loss of privacy. An IT professional may potentially bear legal responsibility through a negligence claim. These are complex cases that require representation from skilled legal counsel.
• Lawyers: Attorneys have a duty to provide reasonable quality professional guidance to their clients. A lawyer who provides incorrect (substandard) legal advice could be deemed professional malpractice. The implications of such advice can be devastating. The client could end up losing a case, facing financial problems, or even getting stuck with a wrongful conviction. Here is the standard: Lawyers have a duty to provide competent, informed legal counsel. If you receive subpar representation from a lawyer and you suffer harm as a result, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a malpractice claim.

Suing for Professional Malpractice

Victims of professional malpractice can pursue compensation by proving a breach of duty. To pursue a professional malpractice lawsuit, it must meet these criteria:

1. Foreseeability: The results of the professional’s action or inaction should have been foreseeable. Without foreseeability, you may struggle to hold a professional legally responsible for your damages.
2. Breach of Duty: Breach of duty is a key element in professional malpractice claims in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. You must establish that the professional did not meet the required standard of care.
3. Harm and Damages: The breach of duty resulted in harm and financial damages. You will need to prove your damages in order to recover financial compensation through a professional negligence lawsuit.

Meeting these criteria is essential. Not achieving desired results doesn’t automatically imply professional malpractice. For instance, losing a legal case isn’t negligence unless the professional’s errors contributed to the loss.

Damages in a Professional Negligence Lawsuit

What compensation can you recover through a professional negligence lawsuit? The answer depends on a number of case-driven factors. Several types of damages can be sought:

• Compensatory Damages: Cover direct financial losses like lost income, medical expenses, and property damage.
• Consequential Damages: Result from negligence but aren’t direct consequences. For instance, lost profits from a contract due to a negligent accountant.
• Punitive Damages: Awarded in extreme cases to punish egregious conduct and deter similar behavior.

Why Rely On Professional Negligence Attorney Sean Quinn

Our founding attorney Sean Quinn is your voice and your advocate. With the experience and expertise to take on even the most complex of professional negligence claims, we fight for justice. Among other things, our Philadelphia professional negligence attorney is ready to: 

• Hear your story and answer your legal questions.
• Investigate the matter—gathering evidence to prove professional negligence.
• Develop a comprehensive strategy to protect your rights and your interests.

Contact Us for Legal Assistance

Licensed professionals must fulfill their duties, and failure may lead to legal repercussions. Quinn Injury Lawyers aids victims of professional negligence, ensuring fair compensation. Schedule a free consultation today at (877) 659-6070 or through the online form. Seek justice when professional standards are compromised. With offices in Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, we are well-positioned to handle professional negligence claims in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

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