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(314) 500-HURT100+ years of combined experience and over $200 million won for our clients in Missouri and Illinois. Contact a personal injury lawyer near you.
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(314) 500-HURTThe St. Louis, MO legal malpractice attorneys of Burger Law have dedicated their lives to standing up against bullies, seeking justice and demanding compensation. If a negligent lawyer did not give you the legal representation you deserve, we will hold that lawyer accountable.
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No matter your circumstances, you have a right to the highest standard of legal advocacy. If a negligent lawyer or one who committed misconduct robbed you of that right, call a St. Louis-based Missouri legal malpractice attorney at Burger Law now at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online form.
We know it can be difficult to trust an attorney again after they betrayed that trust, but Burger Law stands up to bullies no matter where they come from. Our legal malpractice attorneys have dedicated their lives to seeing wrongs made right and securing the compensation to make St. Louis and Missouri individuals and families whole. It can be distressing when an attorney’s negligence keeps you from getting the results you deserve, especially in cases where you have long-term or permanent damages such as in civil cases, medical malpractice, wrongful death or devastating truck accident claims. The good news is that you may still be able to recover the restitution you deserve if you lose your case because of your lawyer’s negligence.
According to the Missouri Department of Insurance’s 2020 Legal Malpractice Report, that year there were 138 legal malpractice claims closed, resulting in 63 total payouts totaling $11.6 million. While legal malpractice cases are much less common than medical malpractice claims, they are generally not nearly as difficult to win. Right or wrong, juries sympathize with doctors much more than with negligent lawyers. Regardless, the defendant in your legal malpractice claim will be well-versed in the law and the court system and will have access to a wealth of resources. That is why you need a dedicated, tenacious, and experienced St. Louis legal malpractice attorney by your side who will stand up for you and hold a negligent lawyer accountable. Call Burger Law now at (314) 500-HURT.
That depends on the specifics of your case. Unfavorable results, or an ineffective legal strategy, do not necessarily constitute legal malpractice. You can make a claim against a previous lawyer based on:
We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to take your call. Live chat, text, and virtual meetings are available.
If you have any doubts about the merits of your case or have any questions about how to go about making a claim, please call an experienced and knowledgeable legal malpractice attorney at Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT. You will not be treated like you were in the past; we will stand by your side, always be straightforward and honest with you, and give you the aggressive and expert legal representation you should have received in the first place.
A fiduciary duty is a commitment to act in the best interest of someone else, not your own. When a client-attorney relationship is formed, attorneys are ethically and legally bound to do what is best for you and to act in good faith. If they violate that duty, for example encouraging you to pursue a case that is unlikely to be successful just so they can collect attorneys’ fees, or failing to disclose a conflict of interest, then they can be held liable for any damages you incurred. Missouri differentiates between legal malpractice claims and breach of fiduciary duty claims.
In a legal malpractice claim, your compensation would be the difference between what you recovered in your previous case and what would have been recovered if your attorney had not been negligent. For example, if a negligent attorney recovered $20,000 for you in a car accident claim, but a reasonable attorney could have gotten you $100,000, then your damages would amount to $80,000. That’s because negligence cases in St. Louis and Missouri — like legal malpractice — are based on the concept of a claimant being made whole, meaning they are in the same position they would have been in if not for the other person’s negligence. In a negligence legal malpractice claim, your legal malpractice attorney must prove that “but for the attorney’s negligence, the result of the underlying proceeding would have been different.” Collins v. Missouri Bar Plan, 157 S.W.3d 726, 732 (Mo. App. 2005).
According to Klemme v. Best, 941 S.W.2d 493, 496 (Mo. banc 1997), in a breach of fiduciary duty claim, your St. Louis-based Missouri legal malpractice attorney does not have to prove that the underlying proceedings would have been different, or demonstrate that the other lawyer was negligent. They simply have to show that they purposefully did not act in your best interest. The compensation available may also include punitive damages for extreme misconduct or intentional harm, and noneconomic damages for mental anguish.
The only thing that infuriates your Missouri legal malpractice attorney at Burger Law more than a negligent lawyer is one who intentionally mistreats their clients and betrays their trust. We seek justice wherever we can and are dedicated to seeing those harmed by others rightfully compensated. Call Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT for a free consultation for your St. Louis, Missouri legal malpractice claim.
There are three elements you need to demonstrate in order to prove negligence in any civil claim, including legal malpractice:
In any tort claim, you must demonstrate that there was a duty of care, meaning that someone had a responsibility toward you. In a legal malpractice claim, that means establishing that an attorney-client relationship existed. This step is as easy as producing a contract. If you did not have an attorney-client relationship, for example, if you got bad advice from a lawyer at a dinner party or from someone you read on their website, you would not be able to make a legal malpractice claim.
You then must demonstrate that that duty of care was violated. That can mean that the lawyer was negligent, breached your contract, is guilty of misconduct or breached their fiduciary duty. This can sometimes be difficult to prove and will be hotly contested by the defendant. They will try to claim that a reasonable and prudent lawyer would have taken the same steps that they had.
Finally, your legal malpractice attorney must demonstrate that the negligence or misconduct on the part of the lawyer caused you financial damages. This is often the most challenging step as it depends on the “case-within-a-case” doctrine. That means that you must prove two claims: the legal malpractice claim you are currently making and the case underlying the malpractice action.
For example, say you are suing a lawyer because they did not properly apply premises liability law that was central to your slip and fall claim. As a result, a jury finds in favor of the property owner and you did not recover any compensation for the injuries they caused. In order to win your malpractice claim, you and your legal malpractice attorney will have to demonstrate both that the property owner was indeed liable for your injuries and that the outcome would have been different were it not for your lawyer’s negligence.
You can also file a legal malpractice claim if you were the defendant in a different case. For example, in a defective products case, a vendor can only be held liable for a dangerous product if the manufacturer is not known or no longer exists. If you are found liable for somebody’s injuries because a negligent lawyer in St. Louis or Missouri did not try to locate the manufacturer, you may have a legal malpractice claim and you might be able to collect the compensation that you were ordered to pay out.
Fortunately, your legal malpractice attorney at Burger Law has experience litigating and winning all types of civil cases in St. Louis and throughout Missouri including auto accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, workers’ compensation, dog bites, labor and wage claims, and more. We know how to hold negligent actors of all types responsible and get the affected parties the compensation they are owed.
Most people do not have much experience with the legal process, let alone with filing a lawsuit against someone who was supposed to be their legal advocate. If you believe you have been subjected to legal malpractice, you should immediately:
At Burger Law, our legal malpractice team is always honest and always puts one hundred percent of our knowledge, dedication, and experience into every case. Our clients matter to us, and we work to keep you consistently informed and give you all the information you need in order to make the best decision for you and your family in St. Louis or anywhere in Missouri. When you hire us, we start working on your case right away, and handle all investigation, documentation, and litigation so you can be sure your claim is in good hands. We will not let a negligent attorney get away with cheating you of the legal advocacy you deserve. We are the highest- and most-reviewed law firm in St. Louis, Missouri and throughout the Midwest. Speak to a legal malpractice lawyer today at (314) 500-HURT.
The state of Missouri’s statute of limitations is the same for almost all tort claims, such as personal injury claims. Generally speaking:
While five years may seem like a long time, legal malpractice cases are complicated, and your claim will be vigorously defended against. That is why it is best to reach out to an ethical and determined legal malpractice attorney in St. Louis right away. At Burger Law, our team will fight for you and aggressively pursue the justice and financial compensation you deserve.
Burger Law’s legal malpractice attorney team is proud to stand up for the rights of people and families in St. Louis and throughout Missouri when they need it most. You should not have to bear the consequences when a lawyer fails you and violates their responsibility to you, but you do not have to go through the process of demanding justice and compensation alone. With office in St. Louis, we are capable of fighting for justice throughout Missouri. If a negligent or unethical lawyer did not give you the representation you deserve, call a St. Louis-based Missouri legal malpractice attorney now at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online.
Client Reviews
Year of 2023 
This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!
7 months ago I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.
3 months ago Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.
a year ago We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!
a year ago They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!
5 months ago Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.
2 months ago Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.
11 months ago Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!
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Frequently asked questions
How do you determine which personal injury lawyer is right for you? As you’ve undoubtedly heard the disclaimer at the end of TV and radio commercials for law firms: the choice of a lawyer is important and should not be based solely upon advertisements. The key is to speak with the lawyer and de …
Do you know how long you have to file a personal injury claim? Or when the best time is to file one? Is it better to do it immediately after your accident or to wait until you know how significantly your injuries have affected your life? These are just the beginning of the string of questions t …
When To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer. Accidents and injuries are always unexpected, and it can be hard to know what to do in the aftermath, and how to go about getting compensation for your property damage, medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. Burger Law knows how to handle cases and …
We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to take your call. Live chat, text, and virtual meetings are available.
or call us at
(314) 500-HURT
Genevieve and Laura have assisted me in my personal injury claim and have made the process so much less stressful. They are extremely knowledgeable, professional, and attentive. Laura is always on top of everything and very sweet. I had no idea how to navigate this process and they have made me feel at ease and like they truly cared about the outcome.
It has been a long 4 years, but it is finally over! Burger law did a great job handling my case. Grant Doty answered all my questions, promptly returned my phone calls, frequently kept me updated and insured me that he was fighting for me. Jennifer Zini also did a wonderful job, great customer service. It was pleasure getting to know the Burger Law team!
After a driver unexpectedly pulled out right in front of my motorcycle & I suffered injuries, the at-fault driver’s insurance company offered me a $10,000 settlement. I hired Burger Law & they won a $109,000 settlement. I was very happy with the outcome. They were easy to work with & fully explained each step of the process & kept me informed along the way.
At Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer, we are a team of personal injury attorneys who have earned many distinctions and peer-reviewed awards for our civil litigation and trial work in Missouri and Illinois. A few of the honors we have earned include the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Top 100 Trial Lawyer Award, a Martindale-Hubbell AV rating, Super Lawyers selection as one of the top attorneys in the field of personal injury and board certifications in Civil Litigation.
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