Modesto, CA asked in Car Accidents for California

Q: attorney kept information from me until after an offer was made and that info would have gotten her fired is this allow

my attorney insisted i take out a lean instead of pay out of pocket and now after i forced her to send a demand because i knew the case was starting to cost me more then it was worth and she insisted i wait i find out i was right and all i will get is 3000 which doesnt cover my lost wadges but my medical liens will be paid and she gets 16000. She never comunicated anything when i asked about possible out comes all she would tell me is my policy limits which i already know. now shes telling me that i walk away with less then my lost wadges but she gets 6 timee as much as i do

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2 Lawyer Answers
Alexander Bakhache Perez
Alexander Bakhache Perez
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Fullerton, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: If you feel the attorney has kept information from you that effected the case you may wish to report the action to the California attorney bar association for them to review attorney misconduct and investigate (there is no cost to file a complaint). That is breach of attorney client relationship and should not be allowed.

As far as your settlement amount and the amount of your bills and costs you should review each bill with the attorney, ask for a copy of all bills (or ask for a complete copy of your file in writing) review each bill with the attorney and ask for a written breakdown of the proposal of the settlement (how it will be disbursed). Then you can ask for you and the attorney to contact each biller to see if a reduction to the bill is allowed and how much they would agree to reduce.

You can also ask your attorney for there bill (usually a percentage stated in the contract and a fee / costs bill itemized as well) you may ask you attorney or negotiate with your attorney for their bill to be reduced.

Reductions are not mandatory but should be given in fairness.

Depends if you already signed the Release in your case if you don't agree -don't sign until these numbers are worked out. Not every case produces money, many time cases bills are greater than settlements in policy limit cases (meaning you won't make money or even break even) - in the future you should care UM coverage on your own with higher limits to avoid this problem.

In fairness the attorney gets $16,000 and your get $3000 does not sound fair, please negotiate this with your attorney and ask for a reduction to the attorney fee/bill as well as reduction to your bills. If you don't trust the attorney maybe verify and contact each medical provider to ask for a further reduction to their bill yourself.

Good Luck, in the future the look for an attorney with a high reputation, attorneys get work based on performance and recommendations by clients and past customers. Sounds like this attorney will not get many recommendation in the future if they are so unfair with their settlement cases.

William John Light agrees with this answer

Dale S. Gribow
Dale S. Gribow
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Palm Desert, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: that does not sound right.

does the attorney have the money yet? in the trust account?

more info needed.

please contact me...........dale gribow 760 837 7500 and i will try to get you some help for your area.

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