Professional Malpractice Defense

Greve, Clifford, Wengel & Paras, LLP defends attorneys, accountants, insurance agents, brokers, and other professionals accused of committing professional malpractice in central and northern California.

A Professional Practice Leads to Exposure for Malpractice

The hallmark of a profession is the self-regulation of its members by a governing body which imposes standards of performance and conduct above and beyond what is expected of others.  Whether self-imposed or mandated by statute, the existence of higher standards makes the professional vulnerable to complaints and litigation whenever the outcome does not meet the client's expectations.  Also, the existence of malpractice insurance and the perceived deep pockets of professionals may entice a lawsuit in hopes of a quick cash settlement to avoid publicity which could be damaging to the professional's business.

Complicated Cases Requiring Complex Defenses

Accounting mistakes can be costly.  The country's business and tax laws and regulations are becoming increasingly complicated and complex all the time, and there many gray areas in which professionals may disagree over whether generally accepted accounting principles and practices were followed.  Defending an action against a claim of malpractice requires specialized expertise and persuasive courtroom skills.  The same can be said of actions involving attorneys, architects, insurance agents, and other professionals.

The Case within the Case

Defending a professional malpractice case requires an understanding of the profession involved, knowing the applicable standard of care, and being able to apply that standard to the facts of the particular case.  Also, in many instances the plaintiff is required to prove that the outcome would have been different had the professional acted differently, which often times requires litigating the "case within the case."  Our years of litigation experience include a great deal of focus in the areas of real estate and construction, insurance law, business law, and personal injury, giving us particular insight when defending professionals in these areas.  When necessary, we are equally qualified to litigate the underlying issues in the case as well as the standard of care practiced by the professional.

In light of our firm's extensive experience in the area of construction law and litigation, our malpractice defense practice especially emphasizes the defense of design professionals such as architects, engineers, and land surveyors.

Seek Experienced Legal Representation

When an unhappy client files a malpractice lawsuit, whether based on a legitimate disagreement or in hopes of getting "another bite at the apple," a strong and vigorous defense is necessary to protect the professional's reputation as well as avoid an unfavorable judgment.  In most professions, reputation is everything, and protecting that image by successfully defending malpractice claims is essential to protecting one's livelihood.  For advice and representation from successful courtroom litigators experienced in malpractice defense, contact Greve, Clifford, Wengel & Paras, LLP.