Q: payment after the fact
I had a workers comp case, my lawyer was able to close only part of the case, leaving the medical part open. However, with the compensation I obtained from the 1st part closed, he took his payment, told me he was done with the case and was no longer representing me and gave me a letter of dismissal. Now years later I was able to close the 2nd part, the medical part of the case, he is now coming back asking for more compensation since according to him he was the lawyer in the case. is this legal?
A: Yes this is legal. The attorney is entitled to fees on the remaining part of your case. In fact, the court will probably not allow the case to settle unless the issue of attorney fees is addressed. Most often the carrier adds a bit more to the settlement to cover fees, so it should not cost you anything.
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