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May 27, 2005
It's too late
In working for a plaintiffs' firm for over a year now and taking a lot of inquiries I've noticed something that bothers me. It amazes how many people who have suffered real, significant damage, people who have had a tremendous change in their life because of their injuries, wait until the statute of limitations has passed to make the call.
I hear people say things like "Awww, I shouldn't really be calling," or "I'm not just looking for easy money," as qualification. These are usually the people that truly do need a lawyer.
I'm not a lawyer yet so I'm not allowed to tell them they're screwed. I pass them along to one of the lawyers in the office who gets to deliver the bad news. On the other hand, the people who have no case will usually call within a week of the so-called incident.
Why is this? Is it because of all the rhetoric about frivolous law suits? If you sue a doctor, insurance company, manufacturer or employer the president, the Chamber of Commerce and your congressman tell you you're evil and a leech on society.
It would be interesting to see a study done on how many people wind up deeply in debt, permanently handicapped and/or unemployed because they felt they were doing their civic duty in helping make sure malpractice insurance premiums don't rise and stock prices don't drop.
This is all anecdotal of course, but it is a pattern I've seen in one busy plaintiffs' firm.
Posted by Half-Cocked at May 27, 2005 01:01 AM
Comments
I handle many many cases here in my state (2 year SOL), limiting it to PI. Unrepresented injured people usually wait b/c an Insurer usually lets it draaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggggg out. When the time is close, and there is no resolution, then they call an attorney.
I do thank companies out there that are in a rush to "close" a file. For example, 1 insurer in this state will send letters and if no reponse say "since you have failed to cooperate with us, we are closing our file" and this is done at month 6 post accident. Ring ring goes my phone.
Posted by: Gman at June 6, 2005 12:54 PM