LiveYourLife said:
Be an unbiased 3rd party, completely removed from the situation to look out for the best interest of the OP. Isn't that what lawyers are for?
You have the HR department covering their butts, the Doctor covering hers, who is covering the OP?
ETA: I am not saying by telling the OP she should lawyer up, that she should get all sue happy.
And I repeat, what do you want the lawyer to do?
OP has several goals here.
1. She wants to get her car repaired. She's dealing with her own insurer and they're dealing with the doctor's insurer. No one is contesting that the doctor is at fault. The OP doesn't need a lawyer at this time to pursue her claim for property damage.
2. She wants a harassment-free workplace. So far there has been one angry, uncomfortable, intimidating confrontation with the doctor. There likely won't be another. OP doesn't need a lawyer unless the doctor continues to harass her. And then, the lawyer will want to know if OP pursued complaints with HR, building security, the police, etc. OP needs to document anything that happens. Potentially she may have claims against the doctor and possibly her employer if the employer does not take action to ensure that OP is not in a hostile work environment. But not yet. If the employer retaliates against her for insisting that the hostilities cease, she'll need a l awyer. But not now.
3. She wants to see that the doctor is punished. That's not really something within her control. How the employer deals with the doctor -- OP has no right to control that decision and probably has no right to even know what disciplinary measures, if any, are imposed. HR may seek the OP's input, of course. Similarly, whatever punishment that will be meted out by the justice system is out of the OP's control. Her role, if any, is that of witness.
4. She wants to reduce her stress level. What happened to her is horrible, it shouldn't have happened, it's very stressful. But turning a hit-and-run property damage claim into a federal case and incurring legal fees in the hundreds or thousands of dollars just so you can say "talk to my lawyer"?
Well, what about preserving evidence? I've always found it useful to simply ask for a copy of whatever dicument, video, etc. I thought I needed to preserve in support of my claim. If you're going to resort to the courts to make someone preserve evidence, you need to be able to tell a court why you need it.
I would never discourage someone from seeking kegal counsel if they thought they needed representation. But I also don't think it's right to encourage someone to spebd $$$ when you don't know what you want tge lawyer to do for you.
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