[ROCKETMAN]

I’m sure many people who see the constant TV adds for Morgan and Morgan and Dan Newlin shudder every time they come on your TV. They see this as one of the reasons they pay so much for auto insurance. My question is if you or a loved one was involved in an accident, doesn’t have to be auto,M&M recently got 2.6 million for a person who slipped on water in the produce isle at a Tampa Publix, would you just be satisfied with all your medical bills being taken care or would you expect a dollar amount for pain and suffering.

[Stu from NYC]

If the other party was negligent in some way think I would want something for the pain and suffering.

[ROCKETMAN]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

If the other party was negligent in some way think I would want something for the pain and suffering.

I just settled my case. Certainly not a major one. I was going to work at Publix in colony 5:30 in the morning when a donut truck went through the stop sign by Walgreens. I was in my car and saw him at the last second was not going to stop and turned my wheel to avoid him but he caught my passenger door and back panel.Our collision was in the left lane and I ended up over the curb on the right side. Long story short ended up with three herniated discs. I can no longer play 18 holes but fine for 9, and when I sit down in a chair I need to brace myself to get up. It took 2 years but I did get a settlement. The attorney gets 40 per cent plus administrative fees which amount to 2% of settlement plus if you have exhausted your insurance for medical expenses, the bills go right to the lawyer and then you pay out of the settlement.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by ROCKETMAN

I just settled my case. Certainly not a major one. I was going to work at Publix in colony 5:30 in the morning when a donut truck went through the stop sign by Walgreens. I was in my car and saw him at the last second was not going to stop and turned my wheel to avoid him but he caught my passenger door and back panel.Our collision was in the left lane and I ended up over the curb on the right side. Long story short ended up with three herniated discs. I can no longer play 18 holes but fine for 9, and when I sit down in a chair I need to brace myself to get up. It took 2 years but I did get a settlement. The attorney gets 40 per cent plus administrative fees which amount to 2% of settlement plus if you have exhausted your insurance for medical expenses, the bills go right to the lawyer and then you pay out of the settlement.

Didnt realize lawyers get so much and than add insult to injury by charging for administrative expenses. Kind of reminds us attorneys are not the most popular people around. Sorry for your troubles

[MightyDog]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Didnt realize lawyers get so much and than add insult to injury by charging for administrative expenses. Kind of reminds us attorneys are not the most popular people around. Sorry for your troubles

I'm not a lawyer and have no interest in defending them but, it seems Rocketman's lawyer took the case on contingency as is often the case in those types of situations.

If so, the lawyer has fronted all of his/her own expenses over the two years (office rent, salaries, benefits, etc.... all still cost during that time) and they take that risk without knowing with any certainty what their pay-out amount will be. There must be a few of those situations where the lawyers 'take' only minimally covered their outlay. Other times, it's ka-ching, a fairly quick lawsuit settled.

So, you get the idea. No actual guarantee of worthy payment for the risk assumed.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by MightyDog

I'm not a lawyer and have no interest in defending them but, it seems Rocketman's lawyer took the case on contingency as is often the case in those types of situations.

If so, the lawyer has fronted all of his/her own expenses over the two years (office rent, salaries, benefits, etc.... all still cost during that time) and they take that risk without knowing with any certainty what their pay-out amount will be. There must be a few of those situations where the lawyers 'take' only minimally covered their outlay. Other times, it's ka-ching, a fairly quick lawsuit settled.

So, you get the idea. No actual guarantee of worthy payment for the risk assumed.

That is correct, however, my understanding is that the standard contingency fee was 33% and never heard of admin add-ons. That's UpNorth, so maybe FL is different. Or maybe different attorneys have different percentages based on the case of their experience.

[ROCKETMAN]

Lawyers get 33% only if no litigation is involved. That almost never happens. The administrative fees are getting police reports, camera footage etc. The 40% is common with M&M, Newlin, Bogan Muns. Smaller firms may take 33%

[lkagele]

Originally Posted by ROCKETMAN

I’m sure many people who see the constant TV adds for Morgan and Morgan and Dan Newlin shudder every time they come on your TV. They see this as one of the reasons they pay so much for auto insurance. My question is if you or a loved one was involved in an accident, doesn’t have to be auto,M&M recently got 2.6 million for a person who slipped on water in the produce isle at a Tampa Publix, would you just be satisfied with all your medical bills being taken care or would you expect a dollar amount for pain and suffering.

Oh, come on. In this day and age, almost everyone expects compensation for pain and suffering. Gotta get yourself a piece of the pie.....

Considering the economy these days, you're probably going to see more and more questionable claims being made. People are hurting for money and an insurance claim can be quick, easy money. Regardless of how questionable your claim may be, there's always some attorney out there somewhere that will represent you.

[scubawva]

Originally Posted by ROCKETMAN

I’m sure many people who see the constant TV adds for Morgan and Morgan and Dan Newlin shudder every time they come on your TV. They see this as one of the reasons they pay so much for auto insurance. My question is if you or a loved one was involved in an accident, doesn’t have to be auto,M&M recently got 2.6 million for a person who slipped on water in the produce isle at a Tampa Publix, would you just be satisfied with all your medical bills being taken care or would you expect a dollar amount for pain and suffering.

If I saw the ads I wouldn’t shudder, I know all businesses advertise. What makes one shudder?

I’d expect compensation for P&S. The amount depending on circumstances. A broken toe that completely heals in a year worth less than an amputated toe.

Good PI attorney’s work on contingency, sometimes never getting paid. They must be selective in cases accepted, work for years in some cases without ever being compensated during that time. Worth every penny

[bimmertl]

Originally Posted by scubawva

If I saw the ads I wouldn’t shudder, I know all businesses advertise. What makes one shudder?

I’d expect compensation for P&S. The amount depending on circumstances. A broken toe that completely heals in a year worth less than an amputated toe.

Good PI attorney’s work on contingency, sometimes never getting paid. They must be selective in cases accepted, work for years in some cases without ever being compensated during that time. Worth every penny

They only take cases they know they can win. Clear liability on liable insured party. So it's not hard for them to be "selective".

Those who never get paid aren't "good" PL attorney's

[bimmertl]

Originally Posted by lkagele

Oh, come on. In this day and age, almost everyone expects compensation for pain and suffering. Gotta get yourself a piece of the pie.....

Considering the economy these days, you're probably going to see more and more questionable claims being made. People are hurting for money and an insurance claim can be quick, easy money. Regardless of how questionable your claim may be, there's always some attorney out there somewhere that will represent you.

Florida is a "No fault" state and it has a tort threshold which must be met in order to recover for personal injuries in auto accident.

All you legal experts out there need to understand how it works.

What Is the Tort Threshold in Florida? | Personal Injury | Chalik & Chalik

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by scubawva

If I saw the ads I wouldn’t shudder, I know all businesses advertise. What makes one shudder?

I’d expect compensation for P&S. The amount depending on circumstances. A broken toe that completely heals in a year worth less than an amputated toe.

Good PI attorney’s work on contingency, sometimes never getting paid. They must be selective in cases accepted, work for years in some cases without ever being compensated during that time. Worth every penny

Successful attorneys almost never take a case they do not expect to win.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by MightyDog

I'm not a lawyer and have no interest in defending them but, it seems Rocketman's lawyer took the case on contingency as is often the case in those types of situations.

If so, the lawyer has fronted all of his/her own expenses over the two years (office rent, salaries, benefits, etc.... all still cost during that time) and they take that risk without knowing with any certainty what their pay-out amount will be. There must be a few of those situations where the lawyers 'take' only minimally covered their outlay. Other times, it's ka-ching, a fairly quick lawsuit settled.

So, you get the idea. No actual guarantee of worthy payment for the risk assumed.

True, but most law firms wont bother to take a case unless there are VERY confident they will win...

That is how they can brag about a 95% win rate...

[MightyDog]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

True, but most law firms wont bother to take a case unless there are VERY confident they will win...

That is how they can brag about a 95% win rate...

Indeed and, no offense - certainly - but, your comment and Stu's are statements of the obvious.

Meanwhile, the lawyer is still fronting the cost the entire time the case isn't settled and he/she cannot know what the settlement amount will be. No doubt, some of those wins didn't net what the lawyer hoped they would. So, the financial gamble is still real.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by MightyDog

Indeed and, no offense - certainly - but, your comment and Stu's are statements of the obvious.

Meanwhile, the lawyer is still fronting the cost the entire time the case isn't settled and he/she cannot know what the settlement amount will be. No doubt, some of those wins didn't net what the lawyer hoped they would. So, the financial gamble is still real.

True but 40% is a nice number when they think they have the law and the facts on their side