What is the name of your state? MA
I was in a 3 car accident last year, I was the first car and I got rear-ended twice. I hired a lawyer and signed a pretty standard contact: he would get 1/3 of my settlement plus up to $300 to pay for any fees he incurred during the settlement process. I was in physical therapy for 6 months and then just recently my lawyer asked me to go see this doctor friend of his to give a final write up on how I am doing a year later (even though I have been out of therapy for 8 months). The day of my appointment I called my lawyer and spoke to one of his paralegals. I asked if I should expect to pay a copay or anything at my appointment and he told me I wasn't expected to pay anything, that the doctor knew I was coming and they would know to put it through the insurance for me and that it wouldn't cost me anything.
I got a "final settlement offer" in the mail from one of the cars today and was shocked when I saw the bill. The settlement was for $10,000. The attorney fees were $3,333.33 and the extra expenses were $232.22. In addition, I was charged $600 for the report his "doctor friend" wrote up for me at that visit my lawyer insisted I go to. I just wanted to see if this was a legitimate fee. I was told by the paralegal that I would incur no expenses and the lawyer never mentioned there might be an extra charge. In addition, the paperwork I signed said I would be responsible for fees incured up to $300, so I'm not sure how this extra $600 fits into the scheme of things.
Is my lawyer ripping me off or does this sounds about right? Thanks for your help in advance!
I was in a 3 car accident last year, I was the first car and I got rear-ended twice. I hired a lawyer and signed a pretty standard contact: he would get 1/3 of my settlement plus up to $300 to pay for any fees he incurred during the settlement process. I was in physical therapy for 6 months and then just recently my lawyer asked me to go see this doctor friend of his to give a final write up on how I am doing a year later (even though I have been out of therapy for 8 months). The day of my appointment I called my lawyer and spoke to one of his paralegals. I asked if I should expect to pay a copay or anything at my appointment and he told me I wasn't expected to pay anything, that the doctor knew I was coming and they would know to put it through the insurance for me and that it wouldn't cost me anything.
I got a "final settlement offer" in the mail from one of the cars today and was shocked when I saw the bill. The settlement was for $10,000. The attorney fees were $3,333.33 and the extra expenses were $232.22. In addition, I was charged $600 for the report his "doctor friend" wrote up for me at that visit my lawyer insisted I go to. I just wanted to see if this was a legitimate fee. I was told by the paralegal that I would incur no expenses and the lawyer never mentioned there might be an extra charge. In addition, the paperwork I signed said I would be responsible for fees incured up to $300, so I'm not sure how this extra $600 fits into the scheme of things.
Is my lawyer ripping me off or does this sounds about right? Thanks for your help in advance!