Bat.Zion@f102.n103.z1.fidonet.org (Bat Zion) (08/10/90)
Index Number: 9662 [This is from the Chronic Pain Conference on Fidonet] I sure hope you have hired yourself a good attorney. Sure, they get a chunk of the settlement - but they know all the loopholes and contingincies applicable in your case. My lawyer has dubbed me a "fragile eggshell" type of client because of all the myriad problems that have surfaced or been aggreivated by my accident - it means more litigation, but if I am willing to stick it out & fight, I can hope for a reasonably large summ as compensation. From what I can gather, it is the norm to get between 3 & 5 times the amount of your medical bills as compensation for pain & suffering. Has your injury damaged the quality of your life: restricting your social life, relationships, even a loss or diminishment of consortion (legalese for sex) are factors that MUST be considered in your case. How about psychological trauma? Flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, and fears that have stemmed from your injury must be compensated for. Don't let those blood-sucking insurance companies off the hook until you know ALL the ramifications of your case! Protect yourself! Don't sign ANYTHING unless you feel comfortable with it, and don't let the insurance company try and intimidate you into signing - they know that if they end up in a courtroom that they will actually have to shell out even more AND pay all the legal costs to boot! Don't make a hasty decision - you will really come out on top if you make a slow, calculated decision. BTW, a friend of mine who worked as a paralegal for many years, says the first offers are generally a fraction of what they are authorized to initially offer you - sometimes as low as 10%! Don't let them rip you off! Take Care... Shoshona -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!103!102!Bat.Zion Internet: Bat.Zion@f102.n103.z1.fidonet.org