San Francisco Injury Lawyer Blog

Aside from watching television shows and movies, many people may not have a complete picture of what it is like to have an attorney on your side. There are many relationships that have a special privilege attached to them. The most well known privilege may be the doctor-patient confidentiality. This means that when patients go see their doctors for checkups or treatments, the doctor must keep that information confidential and may not release the information unless the patient gives permission. Even the patient’s family members may not get information on the patient’s treatment without explicit authority from the patient.

Similarly, attorneys and their clients have a special privilege as well. Once someone becomes a client, or consults with an attorney about his case, then the privilege applies. The privilege applies to information that the client tells the attorney he wants to keep secret, and the attorney may not give out the information unless the client gives him permission. However, this privilege does not extend to everything. Depending on the jurisdiction, attorneys would be required to report to the authorities if their clients are threatening to hurt others or themselves. Additionally, attorneys are prohibited from aiding their clients from performing illegal acts. For example, if the client tells his attorney that he is going to commit tax fraud and wants advice on how to do it, the attorney does not have to cooperate, and may report his client. Other factual information also may not be included in the privilege, such as basic information about the client, or information used to a speedy conclusion to a court case.

To obtain a free consultation from an experienced attorney at Greenberg & Rudman LLP, please call us now at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO). We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you pay no costs or fees unless we win the case for you. If we do not win the case, then you do not pay us a penny. Our attorneys have over fifty years of experience, and have won over $50 million in verdicts and settlements. Call us now for information on your case. Visit our website, www.alawpro.com to read more about the areas of law that we cover and information about our law firm.