Do I have the right to ask my lawyer to send me a copy of my file so I can read and understand it before I sign the final settlement? Thank ...

Question

Do I have the right to ask my lawyer to send me a copy of my file so I can read and understand it before I sign the final settlement? Thank you.

Answer

You have the 'right' to ask your lawyer for anything.

The lawyer has to right to say he would prefer not to do so.

IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND A PROPOSED SETTLEMENT reviewing 6,000 pages of records and letters will not assist in understanding the settlement documents.

SITTING WITH THE ATTORNEY AT AN APPOINTMENT to review settlement terms you do not understand WOULD help you understand your settlement. re-reading letters and medical reports and records and accident reports will likely not help you understand confusing terms in your agreement.

IF YOU are DISMISSING that lawyer, then you are to be provided with THE ORIGINAL file and the lawyer keeps a copy. But I'm not familiar with any bar rules requiring the attorney to spend hours if not days photocopying an entire file just because a client wants to read the entire file again.