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What kind of lawyer?

The Giant Noodle

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A shop screwed up my engine in my car pretty bad and they arent admitting guilt. I guess Im going to have to sue them and the thought of that is really stressing me out. Ive never done that before. I dont even know what kind of lawyer to look for! :doh So.... what kind of lawyer SHOULD I look for? :unsure13:
 

Depends on how much the damages will be.
In some instances, you could take them to small claims court, provided you have enough evidence to prove they messed up your engine.
 
Harry Guerrilla said:
Depends on how much the damages will be.
In some instances, you could take them to small claims court, provided you have enough evidence to prove they messed up your engine.
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Its going to be around $2300. Isnt small claims court under $5000? Hmmmmm....
 


One who understands catalytic converter contorts. :mrgreen:
 
bowerbird said:
Small claims was going to be my suggestion - but as the others said you have to have pretty good evidence
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This is a breach of contract case, so no personal injury lawyer. My advice?

Call the closest law school and offer a 2nd or 3rd year student who did well in Evidence $500 to help you prepare a small claims case, teach you a bit of procedure, etc. The Assistant Dean should be able to help you. Failing that, a new kid....someone on his own, looking to make his bones and starving at this point.
 
The Giant Noodle said:
Its going to be around $2300. Isnt small claims court under $5000? Hmmmmm....
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This isn't enough money to make it worth it to hire anyone well established. You'd end up costing more than you'd make if you paid a flat rate, and no one would take that case on contingency. Depending on what exactly happened this could be either a torts case or a breach of contract case, or both. I agree with the preceding post about finding a law student to help you prepare a small claims case. I would have jumped at the chance to make a few hundred extra bucks when I was in law school. Also, law schools have various types of clinics that sometimes offer free legal services. You might want to look into that as well. Usually they're more public interest oriented (e.g. family law, housing disputes, etc), but you might get lucky.
 

First you need to get your car to the dealer, if you haven't already, to confirm the damage.

Then confront the shop with that information, and you may not need a lawyer at all. If you have proof they did the damage, and they know you won't back off, they may offer to do the repair, or pay you what another shop charges you for the work.

There are a lot of things you can fight without the help of a lawyer
 

Good point! If I confront them with the evidence and its proof that it came from installing a new timing chain kit incorrectly then they will have little choice.
 
The Giant Noodle said:
Good point! If I confront them with the evidence and its proof that it came from installing a new timing chain kit incorrectly then they will have little choice.
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Invest in a technical book for the car you have, lookup how to install the piece, take photos of it installed incorrectly, photocopy the book, hace someone who isnt a dorker look at it. Not sure how the details will work out but thats what Id plan to do.
 
Aderleth said:
This isn't enough money to make it worth it to hire anyone well established. You'd end up costing more than you'd make if you paid a flat rate, and no one would take that case on contingency.
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But sometimes, it's worth the money. I have gotten an attorney involved when I knew I would end up paying more to the attorney than I stood to lose otherwise. But I would rather pay someone who is actually delivering goods than have someone steal from me. I explained that to the attorney when we met the first time.
For me, it only took a few items of correspondence between the attorney and the asshole before the affair was sorted to my satisfaction. And, the attorney decided not to charge me that much after all. So, it ended up working out quite well in my favor.
Can't say that you would be so lucky. But if you're going to be out the money one way or another, might as well give it to someone who is behaving honestly. imho
 
I have been a lawyer since 1989. The client who shows up, money in hand, announcing "it's the principle!" makes me drool.

Sorry guys, but not every injustice can be economically corrected.

If you do go to court, take a certified auto mechanic who is prepared to testify that the shop screwed up your engine....your own testimony and the evidence in a book will not do. Judges are not mechanics.
 

Other options are to inform the shop that you're filing a consumer complaint with the Better Business Bureau and with your state's Attorney General. Make sure you actually follow through on it. I've used this tactic before with businesses that tried to screw me over and got results.
 
Pinkie said:
I have been a lawyer since 1989. The client who shows up, money in hand, announcing "it's the principle!" makes me drool.
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Glad not all attorneys have the same attitude.
 
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