Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law | July 31, 2025 | Orlando Personal Injury Blog
When you’re hurt in an accident and considering filing a personal injury claim, it’s important to know what you can safely share with your lawyer. One of the strongest protections you have is something called attorney-client privilege. This legal rule keeps your conversations with your lawyer private.
In this article, we’ll break down what attorney-client privilege means, how it works, and how it might affect your case in Florida.
What Is Attorney-Client Privilege?
Attorney-client privilege is a legal rule that protects communication between a lawyer and their client. It means that anything you say to your attorney in private about your case is kept confidential. Your lawyer cannot share this information with anyone else without your permission.
This rule allows you to be honest with your attorney. It creates a safe space where you can talk freely, knowing that your words won’t be used against you in court. This privilege is especially important in personal injury cases. To build the best possible case, your attorney needs all the facts, even the ones that may not seem helpful at first.
Without the promise of confidentiality, many people might hold back important details.
When Does the Privilege Begin?
Attorney-client privilege begins as soon as you and your lawyer form a professional relationship. In many cases, it starts when you contact the law firm for a consultation. Even if you don’t end up hiring the lawyer, your initial conversation may still be protected.
It’s important to know that simply talking to a lawyer does not always create attorney-client privilege. The conversation must be private and must involve getting legal advice. Just chatting with a lawyer at a public event, for example, would not be protected. Once the privilege begins, it continues for the length of the case—and even after it ends.
That means your lawyer still can’t reveal what you discussed, even years later.
What Types of Communication Are Protected?
Attorney-client privilege covers both written and spoken communication. This includes:
- In-person meetings
- Phone calls
- Emails
- Text messages
- Letters
As long as the communication is between you and your lawyer (or their staff) and is meant to be private, it’s generally protected. However, the privilege can be lost if you share the information with someone else.
For example, if you tell your lawyer something while your friend is in the room, that conversation may no longer be confidential. To protect your case, it’s best to keep sensitive discussions strictly between you and your attorney.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Rule?
Yes, there are a few important exceptions to attorney-client privilege. These include:
- Crime or fraud: If you tell your lawyer about plans to commit a crime or commit fraud, that communication is not protected. The law does not allow lawyers to help clients break the law.
- Third-party presence: If a third party (someone who is not your lawyer or their staff) is present during the communication, the privilege may not apply. This is why it’s important to talk to your attorney privately.
- Waiving the privilege: You can also give up the privilege yourself by choosing to share the information with others. Once waived, the communication may become public in your case.
These exceptions are rare, but they can be important. Your attorney can explain if any of them apply to your situation.
How Attorney-Client Privilege Helps Your Personal Injury Case
Attorney-client privilege plays a big role in building a strong personal injury case. When you’re hurt in a car accident, slip and fall, or any other incident caused by someone else’s negligence, your lawyer needs to know every detail.
With the protection of attorney-client privilege, you can speak honestly about your medical history, injuries, past claims, and anything else that could affect your case. Even if something seems like it could hurt your chances, it’s better for your attorney to know early. That way, they can plan for it and protect you from surprises later in court. Your attorney can only do their job well if they have all the facts. Attorney-client privilege makes that possible.
How to Protect Your Privilege
To make the most of attorney-client privilege, there are a few simple steps you can follow:
- Keep your legal conversations private. Try not to talk about your case with anyone else, even friends or family.
- Don’t forward emails or text messages from your lawyer to others. This can weaken or even break the protection.
- Only discuss legal details with your lawyer or someone from their law office.
If you’re ever unsure about whether something is protected, ask your attorney. It’s better to be cautious and keep your case strong. Attorney-client privilege is your shield. Use it wisely.
Safeguarding Your Voice and Your Case
Attorney-client privilege is more than just a legal rule—it’s a powerful tool that helps you get the justice you deserve after an injury. It lets you speak freely with your lawyer, builds trust, and strengthens your case.
Knowing what’s protected and how to keep it private can make a big difference in how your personal injury case moves forward. If you’ve been injured in Florida and are thinking about filing a claim, don’t be afraid to share the full story with your lawyer.
Contact an Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law Today
For more information, please contact Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law to schedule a free consultation. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Orlando, Palm Bay, Melbourne, Cocoa, and Titusville.
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Orlando, FL Office
633 E Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: (407) 801-3000
Hours: Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Orlando, FL.
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 28.5534238,-81.3692001
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Palm Bay, FL Office
4620 Lipscomb Street N.E Suite #3K
Palm Bay, FL 32905
Phone: (321) 677-5964
Hours: Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Palm Bay, FL.
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 28.039083,-80.6083109
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Melbourne, FL Office
1600 W Eau Gallie Blvd #205j
Melbourne, FL 32935
Phone: (321) 450-7134
Hours: Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Melbourne, FL.
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 28.1289147,-80.6461588
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Cocoa, FL Office
717 S Cocoa Blvd STE 203
Cocoa, FL 32922
Phone: (321) 449-8042
Hours: Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Cocoa, FL.
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 28.3511613,-80.7312948
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Titusville, FL Office
4527 S Hopkins Ave Suite B
Titusville, FL 32780
Phone: (407) 801-3000
Hours: Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Titusville, FL.
Find us with our GeoCoordinates:28.5584923,-80.8010051
