Exploring Lawyer-Client Interaction: A Qualitative Study of Positive Lawyer Characteristics

N.A. Elbers; K.A.P.C. van Wees; A.J. Akkermans; P. Cuijpers; D.J. Bruinvels

doi:10.1007/s12207-012-9120-0

Exploring Lawyer-Client Interaction: A Qualitative Study of Positive Lawyer Characteristics

N.A. Elbers, K.A.P.C. van Wees, A.J. Akkermans, P. Cuijpers, D.J. Bruinvels

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

Personal injury victims involved in compensation processes have a worse recovery than those not involved in compensation processes. One predictor for worse recovery is lawyer engagement. As some people argue that this negative relation between lawyer engagement and recovery may be explained by lawyers' attitude and communications to clients, it seems important to investigate lawyer-client interaction. Although procedural justice and therapeutic jurisprudence had previously discussed aspects relevant for lawyer-client interaction, the client's perspective has been rather ignored and only few empirical studies have been conducted. In this qualitative study, 21 traffic accident victims were interviewed about their experiences with their lawyer. Five desirable characteristics for lawyers were identified: communication, empathy, decisiveness, independence, and expertise. Communication and empathy corresponded with aspects already discussed in literature, whereas decisiveness, independence and expertise had been addressed only marginally. Further qualitative and quantitative research is necessary to establish preferable lawyer characteristics and to investigate what would improve the well-being of personal injury victims during the claims settlement process. © 2012 The Author(s).

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	89-94
Number of pages	6
Journal	Psychological Injury and Law
Volume	5
Issue number	1
Early online date	8 May 2012
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s12207-012-9120-0
Publication status	Published - 2012

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10.1007/s12207-012-9120-0

Elbers et al (2012) Exploring lawyer-client interactionFinal published version, 218 KB

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1 Finished

Empowerment of injured claimants
Elbers, N. (Principal Investigator)
1/06/08 → 31/08/12
Project: Research

15 Citations
3 Article
1 Book
1 Chapter

Ondersteuning van benadeelden zonder belangenbehartiger: Onderzoek naar de 'zelfhulpgroep' leidt tot uniek samenwerkingsverband
Becx, I., Akkermans, A., Elbers, N. & van Wees, K., Sept 2022, In: Tijdschrift voor Vergoeding Personenschade. 2022, 3, p. 83-101 19 p.
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic

Open Access
File

72 Downloads (Pure)
Doe het zelf? Ervaringen met de afwikkeling van letselschade met en zonder belangenbehartiger
Translated title of the contribution: Do it yourself?: Personal injury claim settlement experiences with and without legal representation Becx, I., Akkermans, A., Elbers, N. & van Wees, K., 2022, Boom Juridische Uitgevers. 125 p.
Research output: Book / Report › Book › Academic

Open Access
File
Achieving Justice in Personal Injury Compensation: The Need to Address the Emotional Dimensions of Suffering a Wrong
Akkermans, A., Sept 2020, Unexpected Consequences of Compensation Law. Vines, P. & Akkermans, A. (eds.). Oxford: Hart Publishing, p. 15-38 24 p. (Hart Studies in Private Law; vol. 34).
Research output: Chapter in Book / Report / Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review

Open Access
File
532 Downloads (Pure)

3 Lecture / Presentation

Zelfrijdende auto's, aansprakelijkheid en verzekering. Naar een slachtoffervriendelijker compensatiesysteem voor verkeersschade
van Wees, K. (Speaker), Akkermans, A. J. (Speaker) & Elbers, N. (Speaker)
10 Dec 2019
Activity: Lecture / Presentation › Academic

File
Cursus Personenschade SSR: Inleiding letselschade
Akkermans, A. J. (Speaker)
4 Sept 2019
Activity: Lecture / Presentation › Academic
Cursus Personenschade SSR: Inleiding letselschade
Akkermans, A. J. (Speaker)
6 Sept 2018
Activity: Lecture / Presentation › Academic

Gedupeerd door het letselschadebureau
Akkermans, A. J.
14/12/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
Medische missers. Aansprakelijkheid. Verdwaald in een woud van kil papierwerk en procedures
Akkermans, A. J. & Laarman, B. S.
21/06/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
De emotionele bankrekening van een misbruikte sporter
Akkermans, A. J.
8/02/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment

Cite this

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abstract = "Personal injury victims involved in compensation processes have a worse recovery than those not involved in compensation processes. One predictor for worse recovery is lawyer engagement. As some people argue that this negative relation between lawyer engagement and recovery may be explained by lawyers' attitude and communications to clients, it seems important to investigate lawyer-client interaction. Although procedural justice and therapeutic jurisprudence had previously discussed aspects relevant for lawyer-client interaction, the client's perspective has been rather ignored and only few empirical studies have been conducted. In this qualitative study, 21 traffic accident victims were interviewed about their experiences with their lawyer. Five desirable characteristics for lawyers were identified: communication, empathy, decisiveness, independence, and expertise. Communication and empathy corresponded with aspects already discussed in literature, whereas decisiveness, independence and expertise had been addressed only marginally. Further qualitative and quantitative research is necessary to establish preferable lawyer characteristics and to investigate what would improve the well-being of personal injury victims during the claims settlement process. {\textcopyright} 2012 The Author(s).",

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Exploring Lawyer-Client Interaction: A Qualitative Study of Positive Lawyer Characteristics

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