spydergurlmd
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Maryland
I was involved in a car accident in August 2005 which I have hired a lawyer for. I was rear-ended by a company box truck. There are several factors in this case, but I have one big question. I received treatment and physical therapy for my back and neck after the accident, but at the time, I was in the third trimester of pregnancy and could not receive full treatment for fear of harming the baby. I was told that I may need to come back for more treatment after the baby was born. The baby was born October 25, and I had horrible pains in my neck starting shortly after she was born. I called my lawyer to inform them that I thought I needed more treatment. I mainly dealt with the paralegal. She sent me back to the doctor (one they had chosen) in which he did no treatment and wrote me up with a permanent 15% disability in both my neck and back. I called her to say I really thought I needed treatment, as it really did hurt (I actually went to the emergency room after the disability write up, and they did xrays to find a spasm in my neck, wanted me to see an orthopeadic surgeon) but she STRONGLY advised me to keep the permanent disability. So, against my better judgement, I did.
It is now July. We have sent in the demand letter of which there was 11,000 worth of medical bills (physical therapy, doctor, overnight hospital, non-stress testing for the baby..). They've returned with an offer of 16,500 for settlement. I am furious, as my lawyer thinks this is a good starting point, but that the case is worth no more than 20,000. Basically, my disability means absolutely nothing. When I spoke with the lawyer, and asked him why I was advised to take a disability if it meant nothing, he states "well thats not up to you and Jessica (paralegal), that's up to you and your doctor". But I thought I hired them to ADVISE me. I'm so upset. He wants me to seek treatment now, but I'm afraid with it being almost a year since the accident, they really aren't going to take any injuries I have now seriously. They will just come back and say "well how do we know this is from the accident?" If I would have gone 6 months ago like I wanted to, this wouldn't be a factor. Does anyone have any advice? Or should I just settle for the 20,000, count my loss and move on.
Thanks,
I was involved in a car accident in August 2005 which I have hired a lawyer for. I was rear-ended by a company box truck. There are several factors in this case, but I have one big question. I received treatment and physical therapy for my back and neck after the accident, but at the time, I was in the third trimester of pregnancy and could not receive full treatment for fear of harming the baby. I was told that I may need to come back for more treatment after the baby was born. The baby was born October 25, and I had horrible pains in my neck starting shortly after she was born. I called my lawyer to inform them that I thought I needed more treatment. I mainly dealt with the paralegal. She sent me back to the doctor (one they had chosen) in which he did no treatment and wrote me up with a permanent 15% disability in both my neck and back. I called her to say I really thought I needed treatment, as it really did hurt (I actually went to the emergency room after the disability write up, and they did xrays to find a spasm in my neck, wanted me to see an orthopeadic surgeon) but she STRONGLY advised me to keep the permanent disability. So, against my better judgement, I did.
It is now July. We have sent in the demand letter of which there was 11,000 worth of medical bills (physical therapy, doctor, overnight hospital, non-stress testing for the baby..). They've returned with an offer of 16,500 for settlement. I am furious, as my lawyer thinks this is a good starting point, but that the case is worth no more than 20,000. Basically, my disability means absolutely nothing. When I spoke with the lawyer, and asked him why I was advised to take a disability if it meant nothing, he states "well thats not up to you and Jessica (paralegal), that's up to you and your doctor". But I thought I hired them to ADVISE me. I'm so upset. He wants me to seek treatment now, but I'm afraid with it being almost a year since the accident, they really aren't going to take any injuries I have now seriously. They will just come back and say "well how do we know this is from the accident?" If I would have gone 6 months ago like I wanted to, this wouldn't be a factor. Does anyone have any advice? Or should I just settle for the 20,000, count my loss and move on.
Thanks,