Is it normal for an attorney to use your social security number as a case number in an auto accident.?

I recently retained an attorney in march of this year from injuries recieved in an automobile accident. Since then I noticed certain things while being represented by this law firm, such things as using my social security # for a case number, giving the wrong date of the accident with ins., co. Being hung up on by the attorney's paralegal, and basically being disrespected. What should I do, or should I say what would you do?

I would first document your grievances in writing by certified mail. In many states it is illegal to publicize a social security number of someone else. Everywhere it is improper.

For the rest, the operative word in legal circles is "civility". You have, so long as you are yourself civil, a right to demand that from any lawyer and any law office.

How far you want to take it should depend on whether your financial interests rather than just your pride are compromised.

Always see your prospective lawyer in context before hiring him or her. I tell people to visit the courthouse and see them in action, talk to their clients.

I doubt it. Sounds like a part time office to me.

Call or write (or better still, call and then write) the insurance company and tell them of these complaints about the attorney. I used to work for liability defense attorneys (hired by insurance companies to defend their insureds), and they should not act like that. The case number, or the file number, should NOT be your social security number.

No one should hang up on you or be disrespectful. However, sometimes clients call the attorney's office and get pretty hysterical. I can imagine getting so frustrated I would hang up on a client, except that I know my boss would have read me raw if I did. No matter how obnoxious the client was being.

This law firm you describe is not doing the job for which the insurance company is paying them. The company needs to know.

If you are convinced that your attorney is misrepresenting the facts, you have got every right to change him, with the leave of the court.

Fire him or her. Hanging up on you on the phone is inexcusable, and his/her use of your SSN seems dodgy to me.

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ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Every attorney I have ever known and/or worked for had their own numbering system. I would NEVER allow such even if everything you tell him/her would be confidential. That case number of his is on every document in your file. Also, when the opposing attorney requests documents, then the other side will have your SS# which will give them access to all kinds of information about you. Besides, the case/cause number should be given to the suit by the county in which it is filed in. Find a new attorney FAST!!!

Report the attorney to your state bar, as they are incompetently handling your case, and failing to communicate with you regarding your case.

Either a) have a nice long chat with your attorney - after all YOU are the client; or b) get a new attorney.

Sounds like your attorney firm also dabbles in snake oil.

Write up your entire experience and submit it to your state Bar Association (with copies to "your" attorney).

That usually gets their attention.

This is unusual. Usually, a person's social security number is kept confidential. Mistakes can happen, and transposing numbers or a wrong date is not something you want to happen, but it can be corrected. Simply bring it to their attention.

As for being hung up on by anyone at the firm, that is inappropriate. However, if you were being abusive verbally or were very angry, that might have caused the situation. Clients are not always patient with how long it takes to work a case, and often expect instant results. When they don't get the attention they want as quickly as they want it, they can cross the line from civility to abusive behavior.

If you believe the firm is not taking care of your best interests, you can always fire them, get a copy of your firm, and go elsewhere for legal help.