What are they doing?

[Julia]

I was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Florida last October. Up until the end of last month I was handling the claim on my own. However, I decided it was just too much to handle and I didnt want to be taken advantage of by the Insurance Co's. I called a lawyer and they took my case due to the fact that the other party was 100% at fault.

I turned over ALL of my paperwork, medical bills, doctors notes, police report, etc.

The problem is, I haven't heard a peep from my lawyer since the day after I signed on the dotted line to accept his services!

He said it normally takes 45 -90 days before the case is settled and I will hear something then!!!

What the !^%@#$ is going on?? Why haven't they contacted me? don't they have any questions regarding my case????
Is this normal proceedure???????????

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, Verdana">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Julia:
I was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Florida last October. Up until the end of last month I was handling the claim on my own. However, I decided it was just too much to handle and I didnt want to be taken advantage of by the Insurance Co's. I called a lawyer and they took my case due to the fact that the other party was 100% at fault.

I turned over ALL of my paperwork, medical bills, doctors notes, police report, etc.

The problem is, I haven't heard a peep from my lawyer since the day after I signed on the dotted line to accept his services!

He said it normally takes 45 -90 days before the case is settled and I will hear something then!!!

What the !^%@#$ is going on?? Why haven't they contacted me? don't they have any questions regarding my case????
Is this normal proceedure???????????<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

My response:

And when you called them today, your attorney said to you . . . .?

IAAL

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By reading the “Response” to your question or comment, you agree that: The opinions expressed herein by "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE" are designed to provide educational information only and are not intended to, nor do they, offer legal advice. Opinions expressed to you in this site are not intended to, nor does it, create an attorney-client relationship, nor does it constitute legal advice to any person reviewing such information. No electronic communication with "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE," on its own, will generate an attorney-client relationship, nor will it be considered an attorney-client privileged communication. You further agree that you will obtain your own attorney's advice and counsel for your questions responded to herein by "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE."

 

[Julia]

like I said above...he said I would not hear anything for 45-90 days???????????????

why?????

aren't they going to ask me anything about my case?
is this normal???????????

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, Verdana">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Julia:
like I said above...he said I would not hear anything for 45-90 days???????????????

why?????

aren't they going to ask me anything about my case?
is this normal???????????<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

My response:

What's with all the question marks? Just calm down, just a bit, okay?

You said: ". . . the other party was 100% at fault. I turned over ALL of my paperwork, medical bills, doctors notes, police report, etc."

That's all your attorney needs. Now, he'll put together all of the cogent materials, write a "demand letter" (he'll give them 30 days) and then the settlement negotiations will begin. At that time, he should, and is required to contact you to keep you informed of the negotiations, and any offers.

Thanks for writing.

IAAL


------------------
By reading the “Response” to your question or comment, you agree that: The opinions expressed herein by "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE" are designed to provide educational information only and are not intended to, nor do they, offer legal advice. Opinions expressed to you in this site are not intended to, nor does it, create an attorney-client relationship, nor does it constitute legal advice to any person reviewing such information. No electronic communication with "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE," on its own, will generate an attorney-client relationship, nor will it be considered an attorney-client privileged communication. You further agree that you will obtain your own attorney's advice and counsel for your questions responded to herein by "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE."



[This message has been edited by I AM ALWAYS LIABLE (edited April 10, 2000).]

 

[lars coltrane]

Just to weigh in on this one, how long ago did you give the paper work to your counsel. They said it would be 45+ days until you would hear from them. Has it been that long?

Also, when they told you it would take some time to review the file, did you ask them to call if they had any questions? Did you ask them why it would take that long?

If will help you and your lawyer if you are open in your communication. You know, you can call them to see if they have reviewed the file and to see if they have any questions. Go to the source and find out what is going on. Don't ask friends and then call the lawyer and say, "Well my friend said ..." Listening to a client is a great way to learn about the case - often an ordinary case becomes extraordinary because a lawyer listens.

 

[Julia]

Hi again!
Sorry for freaking out - this is just my first time dealing with a lawyer and I'm extremely new at all this stuff..

I have another problem now...

I was told by the legal assistant to the lawyer that is handling my case, that I will be charged 25 cents a page for every medical document, bill, correspondence that they will get from my doctors, etc.

I GAVE them all that information already!
I cant believe they are gooing to bill me for information that I already compiled and gave to them in an organized file!

Can I fight that charge? (it is in addition to the 33 1/3 they will be taking out of my claim)

I'm sorry you guys for being so nitpicky but I just dont think I'm going to get a lot of money from this case and I dont want the lawyer to take more than his/her fair share...

thanks for your help!

 

[Julia]

...

 

[lars coltrane]

I can appreciate your concern. First, I suggest reviewing your retainer agreement to see what it says about costs. The charge that you are referring to sounds like a charge for copying documents. But ask and find out what exactly they will be charging you for so you know. Better to know now than to be surprised later.

You should also be aware that in cases like yours, a lawyer will request copies of your medical chart from your doctors. The doctor often charges a fee to copy the records; the fee can range from 15.00 to 50.00 (of if the file is really thick, several hundred dollars). Doctors say that they charge this fee because if covers the cost of having a person in the office copy the chart.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

 

[Julia]

But I what I dont understand is having to pay for the costs of getting all of these medical bills when I already gave them everything: Bills, Police Report, correspondence, etc.

I already gave them the documents that they are requesting!!

I shouldnt have to pay for this stuff!
Should I?
Can I dispute the charges??

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, Verdana">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Julia:
But I what I dont understand is having to pay for the costs of getting all of these medical bills when I already gave them everything: Bills, Police Report, correspondence, etc.

I already gave them the documents that they are requesting!!

I shouldnt have to pay for this stuff!
Should I?
Can I dispute the charges??<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


My response:

Mr. Coltrane already mentioned "chart notes" to you, and you keep repeating "medical bills." You didn't have copies of the doctors' and nurses' "chart notes." You may have had all the "bills" but you don't have Chart Notes or "Sign-In Sheets" or copies of your initial papers that you filled in when you first went to see the doctor(s). There may have been an "Addendum" to the Traffic Collision Report. All these papers tell a story about you and your medical treatment, that must be reviewed before Defense counsel sees them. Your attorney doesn't want any surprises.

IAAL


------------------
By reading the “Response” to your question or comment, you agree that: The opinions expressed herein by "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE" are designed to provide educational information only and are not intended to, nor do they, offer legal advice. Opinions expressed to you in this site are not intended to, nor does it, create an attorney-client relationship, nor does it constitute legal advice to any person reviewing such information. No electronic communication with "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE," on its own, will generate an attorney-client relationship, nor will it be considered an attorney-client privileged communication. You further agree that you will obtain your own attorney's advice and counsel for your questions responded to herein by "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE."