by Guest » Fri Jun 21, 2013 09:23 pm
I am trying to figure out how settlement for a car injury is calculated. I was injured in a car accident and do have a lawyer. He has worked out my claim for me but I just want to make sure that he is getting me a fair amount. I have a permanent injury, a left thumb that will not bend at the distal joint, also have a concussion. Medical expenses totalled $26,000.00, lost wages = $1,600.00. Future medical bills = $12,500.00. Kansas has a cap of $250,000.00 for pain and suffering. He said my pain and suffering is worth $100,000. This is how he worked it out. $100,000 + $26,000 + $1,600 + $12,500 = 140,100.00. Medical expenses and loss wages amounts have to be paid back to my insurance company. $140,100 - $27,600 = $112,500.00. Lawyers fees = $37575.000 Lawyers expenses = $224.00 Subtract that from $112,500.00, leaves me with $74,701.00.
Is this how settlements are calculated? Even for a permanent injury? Are damages for a permanent disabiity part of the pain and suffering amount or should it be a separate amount? I still experience pain, stiffness and tingling in the thumb.
Would appreciate any advice given.
Thank you.
Is this how settlements are calculated? Even for a permanent injury? Are damages for a permanent disabiity part of the pain and suffering amount or should it be a separate amount? I still experience pain, stiffness and tingling in the thumb.
Would appreciate any advice given.
Thank you.
Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 09:07 pm Post Subject:
Is this how settlements are calculated?
Based on the type of injury, type of treatment needed, duration of treatment, the person, the location of the accident, etc. Basically, what a judge or jury has award for that type of situation in the past.
Are damages for a permanent disabiity part of the pain and suffering amount or should it be a separate amount?
It's the same amount as it's all part of a _settlement_.Would appreciate any advice given.
You are paying your attorney around $40,000 for a few hours worth of work. Your attorney should be bending over backwards to answer all of your questions.Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:37 pm Post Subject:
Why don't you consult your attorney regarding this?
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 04:54 pm Post Subject:
Patricia . . . do you have the ability to write an answer with any substance to it? How about one with more than eight to ten words? Most of what you post is of zero value and merely recites what someone else has said prior to your comment.
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 05:03 am Post Subject:
Max! I support you here! I think we expect something more than 8-10 words.
Most of what you post is of zero value and merely recites what someone else has said prior to your comment.
However, you are mistaken here. Actually, each and every post of her recites her previous post.
:wink:
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 02:41 am Post Subject: Settlement
I have consulted with my attorney about this. The above calculations is what he worked out for me and the amount of settlement I should expect. Settlement of $100,000, $74,701.00 after deducting medical expenses, lawyers fees, etc. I just want to know if this is a fair amount for a permanent injury...a thumb that will not bend at the distal joint.
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 02:55 am Post Subject:
See my initial answer as to what a settlement is based on. We don't know anything of that information.
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 12:26 pm Post Subject:
Why would your lost wages have to be "paid back to [your] insurance company"?? If an insurance company reimbursed you for lost wages, then you have no lost wages and you cannot collect twice. Makes no sense. If an insurance company paid for your time off work, and you collect for that, then they are entitled to recover that expense, but it's not "lost wages".
Sounds to me like your attorney is simply proposing an amount he believes the insurance company will quickly write a check for and he won't have to do any more work to get it. On the other hand, if he were to ask for the whole $250,000 in general damages, he might actually have to go to court to win that amount, and that will take some work.
What is true is that once you are represented by an attorney all your questions should be directed to that person. If you want to know how he/she arrived as a demand amount, ask him/her to validate it for you, not us. If the amount is too low, which is what you appear to be thinking, then demand that your attorney push for the larger amount -- you are paying him/her for that. Instead, you seem to doubt/trust your choice of legal representation. That's unfortunate. It's also not uncommon in these forums.
The lesson to be learned, as we have repeatedly stated, is simple:
In most cases, an injured party can do as good a job for him/herself as any attorney when attempting to settle a personal injury matter. Only when you and the insurance company cannot agree on a figure and the insurance company essentially quits negotiating should you consider seeking legal representation.
But that's not what the TV-advertising attorneys want you to believe. They want people to believe, like Obama does, that insurance companies are evil, that they never pay claims, and that you will only get a reasonable settlement if you hire them to "fight for you". They aren't fighting for you, they are "fighting" for their yacht payment, their timeshare on Maui, and their vacation home in Martha's Vineyard. Where is your yacht, timeshare, vacation home?
Anyone can do the math that's necessary -- it was learned before leaving the first grade: A + B + C + D = E. Actual medical expenses + estimated future medical expenses + actual lost wages + noneconomic loss ("pain and suffering", loss of consortium, loss of love and affection, etc) = damages to be settled. If the amount is reasonable and within the at-fault party's policy limits, the insurance company should simply write a check and the case is closed.
When you add an attorney, take that total and multiply by 0.66666667 (or less). That's what you get up by letting someone else write a letter or two, or making a couple of phone calls for you. Do you really think that's worth the 0.33333333 (or more) they take from your 100%? {Anyone ever wonder why real estate agents get 6% to sell your home? Why would you believe an attorney is worth 33%?]
If an attorney cannot increase your total settlement by more than the amount of his/her fee, it is not worth the effort. Most of the PI attorneys who advertise on radio, TV, and in the newspaper or elsewhere have never tried a case in front of a jury. They make 6-figure incomes or more by writing a few letters and making a couple of telephone calls.
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 12:35 pm Post Subject:
Why would your lost wages have to be "paid back to [your] insurance company"?
If they were considered under PIP or MP and in that state there was a right of recovery under PIP/MP.Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 12:59 pm Post Subject:
Kansas has a cap of $250,000.00 for pain and suffering.
PIP in Kansas is considered "first-party medical payments" (which is not subject to subrogation) and not "personal injury protection" ("third-party payments" which is subject to subrogation), according to the opinion of the court in State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Baker, 14 Kan App. 2d 641, 797 P.2d 168, rev. denied 247 Kan. 705 (1990), and is still the controlling case law in that state to the best of my knowledge.
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 04:56 pm Post Subject: Settlement
Thanks everyone for the info. Maxherr, your last message is all greek to me. Wish I could understand what you are trying to say. :)
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