Insurance Settlement Advice Needed

[oxfordcircus]

I am not sure how I would go about finding one if I knew no one who could give me recommendations. How about your state's Bar Association?

Denae

worth a shot, but I don't think they're allowed to favor one attorney over the 10,000 others.

 

[p2oh]

Thanks for all the advice, who knew getting bit would be the easy part!

 

[poohluvrs]

I know insurance carriers here wont even write a homeowners policy for someone w/ a pit bull, so Im sure they are taking your claim very seriously.

I'm wondering, how can you pick a settlement amount if you still have outstanding problems (medical & emotional)? I think an attorney could help w/ advice, but be cautious, some may want to drag out your injury/treatments as long as possible so they can make a larger claim, i.e. get more $.

Good luck.
ETA - I believe if you go through an attorney, they will not be allowed to cut you your settlement check until all parties involved (medical, etc) have been satisfied of any monies owed.

 

[MrsToad]

I won't need plastic surgery, my only concern is I still have a little numbness on my hand and I keep thinking it will go away, it doesn't hurt or bother me, I just know it's there if that makes any sense. /QUOTE]

I am someone who has some nerve damage and didn't take it seriously initially. As such, your numbness concerns me. Have you seen a neurologist? Has any doctor ordered any tests, such as an EMG, to determine the true extent of the nerve damage? The test may help differentiate between the subjectiveness of "a little numbness on my hand" and provide objective values to any possible damage.

I hope you recover soon...good luck.

 

[kristen821]

I haven't read everything yet, but since you aren't really in it for the money I would first go to the dr. and have your arm checked again so you get enough money to cover whatever that may cost.
I would tell them to tell you what they are willing to pay and then decide if that is enough or not. If you really want a lot of money I would get a lawyer.

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

Just a comment about the medical insurance part of it - Our insurance works this way (yours may be different) -
When a claim is filed, there is a place where the physician's office checks if it is work related or not and if it is due to an accident or illness. When a claim is due to an accident, before the insurance ever pays anything, they send a letter to the insured person to have them fill our the accident details. In this letter it states that if you get compensation for the injury from a third party, then the insurance company gets reimbursed. (Not the exact words, but something like that).

So, did you insurance company send you anything in the mail to ask the accident details?

 

[honeymom]

In 1995 I was in a car accident that was caused by a driver high on drugs and alchohol. It was one of 11 accidents that he caused that night. The police finally shot out his tires and chased him on foot. I was 6 months pregnant at the time - more traumautized than hurt (I also had to watch him ram the car in front of me 3 times to get it out of the way - there was an 85 year old woman in the car). I went to the hospital to get checked out and spent a good part of the night on a fetal monitor. Of course, the driver was uninsured.

Because of the trauma and the uncertainty of whether anything had happened to the baby, I did get a lawyer. He was due 1/3 of the settlement (and he handled my mil, too who got a shoulder injury). After all was said and done I got $10,000. I also remember working for an executive at a corporation who was sued (by a shyster - the case was beyond flimsy) and they gave him $10,000 to walk away.

So - I don't think you would have a problem asking for $10,000 if you want to do this without a lawyer. If you think this is worth more than $10,000 - you were injured and I don't know the extent of the injuries - I would get a lawyer. Any lawyer will have to speak to you and go outline their fees, services, etc. before you retain them. Plus, they usually structure the deal so they only earn their 1/3rd if they win. Don't feel that you are obliged to pay just for interviewing a lawyer - you are only obliged to let them earn their share if you retain a lawyer.

 

[iloveboardwalk]

I have no idea about insurance or lawyers, but I wanted to say I'm sorry it happened to you.

I was attacked and bitten by a neighbor's German Shepard when I was 7. He bit my face, it required plastic surgery, luckily there are no visible scars. Even though it happened 24 years ago, I still remember every detail and I still have trouble trusting dogs. It's a tough thing to go through, very scary.

 

[p2oh]

Just a comment about the medical insurance part of it - Our insurance works this way (yours may be different) -
When a claim is filed, there is a place where the physician's office checks if it is work related or not and if it is due to an accident or illness. When a claim is due to an accident, before the insurance ever pays anything, they send a letter to the insured person to have them fill our the accident details. In this letter it states that if you get compensation for the injury from a third party, then the insurance company gets reimbursed. (Not the exact words, but something like that).

So, did you insurance company send you anything in the mail to ask the accident details?

They did, but not until after they had paid the claim. It actually came from a different company that works on behalf of my insurance company. I just called them to ask them what to do with the check and they told me to hold on to it until they can verify the information with the other insurance, so the saga continues and I am going to try to find good lawyer tomorrow. Thanks for the advice.

 

[goofyforlife]

Also, consult with a plastic surgeon....

Ask him for a figure based on cash payment....

(you gotta think too that there's a chance you'll always have somewhat of a scar too)

 

[mickeyboat]

worth a shot, but I don't think they're allowed to favor one attorney over the 10,000 others.

http://www.kybar.org/Default.aspx?tabid=291
KY Bar Association lists numbers for local referral groups.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I agree you need a lawyer. That numbness in the hand worries me.

I think interview a couple of lawyers and definately do not cash that check until you do.