Personal Injury Attorneys

[ROCKETMAN]

I’m sure many people who see the constant TV adds for Morgan and Morgan and Dan Newlin shudder every time they come on your TV. They see this as one of the reasons they pay so much for auto insurance. My question is if you or a loved one was involved in an accident, doesn’t have to be auto,M&M recently got 2.6 million for a person who slipped on water in the produce isle at a Tampa Publix, would you just be satisfied with all your medical bills being taken care or would you expect a dollar amount for pain and suffering.

[Stu from NYC]

If the other party was negligent in some way think I would want something for the pain and suffering.

[ROCKETMAN]

If the other party was negligent in some way think I would want something for the pain and suffering.

I just settled my case. Certainly not a major one. I was going to work at Publix in colony 5:30 in the morning when a donut truck went through the stop sign by Walgreens. I was in my car and saw him at the last second was not going to stop and turned my wheel to avoid him but he caught my passenger door and back panel.Our collision was in the left lane and I ended up over the curb on the right side. Long story short ended up with three herniated discs. I can no longer play 18 holes but fine for 9, and when I sit down in a chair I need to brace myself to get up. It took 2 years but I did get a settlement. The attorney gets 40 per cent plus administrative fees which amount to 2% of settlement plus if you have exhausted your insurance for medical expenses, the bills go right to the lawyer and then you pay out of the settlement.

[Stu from NYC]

I just settled my case. Certainly not a major one. I was going to work at Publix in colony 5:30 in the morning when a donut truck went through the stop sign by Walgreens. I was in my car and saw him at the last second was not going to stop and turned my wheel to avoid him but he caught my passenger door and back panel.Our collision was in the left lane and I ended up over the curb on the right side. Long story short ended up with three herniated discs. I can no longer play 18 holes but fine for 9, and when I sit down in a chair I need to brace myself to get up. It took 2 years but I did get a settlement. The attorney gets 40 per cent plus administrative fees which amount to 2% of settlement plus if you have exhausted your insurance for medical expenses, the bills go right to the lawyer and then you pay out of the settlement.

Didnt realize lawyers get so much and than add insult to injury by charging for administrative expenses. Kind of reminds us attorneys are not the most popular people around. Sorry for your troubles

[MightyDog]

Didnt realize lawyers get so much and than add insult to injury by charging for administrative expenses. Kind of reminds us attorneys are not the most popular people around. Sorry for your troubles

I'm not a lawyer and have no interest in defending them but, it seems Rocketman's lawyer took the case on contingency as is often the case in those types of situations.

If so, the lawyer has fronted all of his/her own expenses over the two years (office rent, salaries, benefits, etc.... all still cost during that time) and they take that risk without knowing with any certainty what their pay-out amount will be. There must be a few of those situations where the lawyers 'take' only minimally covered their outlay. Other times, it's ka-ching, a fairly quick lawsuit settled.

So, you get the idea. No actual guarantee of worthy payment for the risk assumed.

[Pugchief]

I'm not a lawyer and have no interest in defending them but, it seems Rocketman's lawyer took the case on contingency as is often the case in those types of situations.

If so, the lawyer has fronted all of his/her own expenses over the two years (office rent, salaries, benefits, etc.... all still cost during that time) and they take that risk without knowing with any certainty what their pay-out amount will be. There must be a few of those situations where the lawyers 'take' only minimally covered their outlay. Other times, it's ka-ching, a fairly quick lawsuit settled.

So, you get the idea. No actual guarantee of worthy payment for the risk assumed.

That is correct, however, my understanding is that the standard contingency fee was 33% and never heard of admin add-ons. That's UpNorth, so maybe FL is different. Or maybe different attorneys have different percentages based on the case of their experience.

[ROCKETMAN]

Lawyers get 33% only if no litigation is involved. That almost never happens. The administrative fees are getting police reports, camera footage etc. The 40% is common with M&M, Newlin, Bogan Muns. Smaller firms may take 33%

[lkagele]

I’m sure many people who see the constant TV adds for Morgan and Morgan and Dan Newlin shudder every time they come on your TV. They see this as one of the reasons they pay so much for auto insurance. My question is if you or a loved one was involved in an accident, doesn’t have to be auto,M&M recently got 2.6 million for a person who slipped on water in the produce isle at a Tampa Publix, would you just be satisfied with all your medical bills being taken care or would you expect a dollar amount for pain and suffering.

Oh, come on. In this day and age, almost everyone expects compensation for pain and suffering. Gotta get yourself a piece of the pie.....

Considering the economy these days, you're probably going to see more and more questionable claims being made. People are hurting for money and an insurance claim can be quick, easy money. Regardless of how questionable your claim may be, there's always some attorney out there somewhere that will represent you.

[scubawva]

I’m sure many people who see the constant TV adds for Morgan and Morgan and Dan Newlin shudder every time they come on your TV. They see this as one of the reasons they pay so much for auto insurance. My question is if you or a loved one was involved in an accident, doesn’t have to be auto,M&M recently got 2.6 million for a person who slipped on water in the produce isle at a Tampa Publix, would you just be satisfied with all your medical bills being taken care or would you expect a dollar amount for pain and suffering.

If I saw the ads I wouldn’t shudder, I know all businesses advertise. What makes one shudder?

I’d expect compensation for P&S. The amount depending on circumstances. A broken toe that completely heals in a year worth less than an amputated toe.

Good PI attorney’s work on contingency, sometimes never getting paid. They must be selective in cases accepted, work for years in some cases without ever being compensated during that time. Worth every penny

[bimmertl]

If I saw the ads I wouldn’t shudder, I know all businesses advertise. What makes one shudder?

I’d expect compensation for P&S. The amount depending on circumstances. A broken toe that completely heals in a year worth less than an amputated toe.

Good PI attorney’s work on contingency, sometimes never getting paid. They must be selective in cases accepted, work for years in some cases without ever being compensated during that time. Worth every penny

They only take cases they know they can win. Clear liability on liable insured party. So it's not hard for them to be "selective".

Those who never get paid aren't "good" PL attorney's

[bimmertl]

Oh, come on. In this day and age, almost everyone expects compensation for pain and suffering. Gotta get yourself a piece of the pie.....

Considering the economy these days, you're probably going to see more and more questionable claims being made. People are hurting for money and an insurance claim can be quick, easy money. Regardless of how questionable your claim may be, there's always some attorney out there somewhere that will represent you.

Florida is a "No fault" state and it has a tort threshold which must be met in order to recover for personal injuries in auto accident.

All you legal experts out there need to understand how it works.

What Is the Tort Threshold in Florida? | Personal Injury | Chalik & Chalik (https://www.chaliklaw.com/faqs/what-is-the-tort-threshold-in-florida/)

[Stu from NYC]

If I saw the ads I wouldn’t shudder, I know all businesses advertise. What makes one shudder?

I’d expect compensation for P&S. The amount depending on circumstances. A broken toe that completely heals in a year worth less than an amputated toe.

Good PI attorney’s work on contingency, sometimes never getting paid. They must be selective in cases accepted, work for years in some cases without ever being compensated during that time. Worth every penny

Successful attorneys almost never take a case they do not expect to win.

[JMintzer]

I'm not a lawyer and have no interest in defending them but, it seems Rocketman's lawyer took the case on contingency as is often the case in those types of situations.

If so, the lawyer has fronted all of his/her own expenses over the two years (office rent, salaries, benefits, etc.... all still cost during that time) and they take that risk without knowing with any certainty what their pay-out amount will be. There must be a few of those situations where the lawyers 'take' only minimally covered their outlay. Other times, it's ka-ching, a fairly quick lawsuit settled.

So, you get the idea. No actual guarantee of worthy payment for the risk assumed.
True, but most law firms wont bother to take a case unless there are VERY confident they will win...

That is how they can brag about a 95% win rate...

[MightyDog]

True, but most law firms wont bother to take a case unless there are VERY confident they will win...

That is how they can brag about a 95% win rate...

Indeed and, no offense - certainly - but, your comment and Stu's are statements of the obvious.

Meanwhile, the lawyer is still fronting the cost the entire time the case isn't settled and he/she cannot know what the settlement amount will be. No doubt, some of those wins didn't net what the lawyer hoped they would. So, the financial gamble is still real.

[Stu from NYC]

Indeed and, no offense - certainly - but, your comment and Stu's are statements of the obvious.

Meanwhile, the lawyer is still fronting the cost the entire time the case isn't settled and he/she cannot know what the settlement amount will be. No doubt, some of those wins didn't net what the lawyer hoped they would. So, the financial gamble is still real.

True but 40% is a nice number when they think they have the law and the facts on their side

[JMintzer]

Indeed and, no offense - certainly - but, your comment and Stu's are statements of the obvious.

Meanwhile, the lawyer is still fronting the cost the entire time the case isn't settled and he/she cannot know what the settlement amount will be. No doubt, some of those wins didn't net what the lawyer hoped they would. So, the financial gamble is still real.

You'd be surprised how many don't realize that 'lil tid-bit...

And they win plenty. Those TV ads and billboards aren't cheap...

[tophcfa]

Didnt realize lawyers get so much and than add insult to injury by charging for administrative expenses. Kind of reminds us attorneys are not the most popular people around. Sorry for your troubles

What’s the difference between an attorney and a catfish? One is a bottom dwelling scum sucker, and the other one is a fish!

[LeRoySmith]

What’s the difference between an attorney and a catfish? One is a bottom dwelling scum sucker, and the other one is a fish!

You should be a little more inclusive in that joke. Include used car salesman, lobbyists, realtors and water filter salesmen in there with lawyers.

[xcaligirl]

Didnt realize lawyers get so much and than add insult to injury by charging for administrative expenses. Kind of reminds us attorneys are not the most popular people around. Sorry for your troubles
...and that's why every 15 minutes on a radio station there's an ad from the big 2 around here! Commercials are on almost every tv station too. I know it's super expensive for ads on tv and heard the same for radio. Whenever I see an ad in the papers, on tv or the radio, I shy away from that business. I remember when I first moved here I called Morgan & Morgan on a 'case' however they told me to call some other lawyer because they "didn't handle something small". If I have a huge case, they would be the last number I would dial. Every ad I hear I think "and people wonder why the insurance agencies charge so much more or they are leaving the state"!
And, just my opinion and person experience with M & M.

[golfing eagles]

You should be a little more inclusive in that joke. Include used car salesman, lobbyists, realtors and water filter salesmen in there with lawyers.

You forgot roofers---especially the ones that knock on your door with an offer of a free inspection.

[LeRoySmith]

You forgot roofers---especially the ones that knock on your door with an offer of a free inspection.

OMG you're right. The roofing companies that follow hail storms in Dallas are scum, I'd say worse than abundance chasers. If the ones here are anything like those folks, put them at the top of that list.

[Stu from NYC]

OMG you're right. The roofing companies that follow hail storms in Dallas are scum, I'd say worse than abundance chasers. If the ones here are anything like those folks, put them at the top of that list.

Roofers in a class by themselves

[lkagele]

Florida is a "No fault" state and it has a tort threshold which must be met in order to recover for personal injuries in auto accident.

All you legal experts out there need to understand how it works.

What Is the Tort Threshold in Florida? | Personal Injury | Chalik & Chalik (https://www.chaliklaw.com/faqs/what-is-the-tort-threshold-in-florida/)

Based on 30+ years of experience, I can tell you the tort threshold is only a minor barrier in pursuing a liability claim. No matter how minor the injury, there's a doctor or chiropractor out there somewhere that will claim you have permanent injury and need a lifetime of medical treatment.

Plaintiff attorneys use the risk of a jury possibly believing a made up claim and the threat of legal fees the insurance company will incur if suit is filed to squeeze a settlement out of even the most ridicules claims. Cheaper to settle than to defend.

There is a solution to this matter but it would never fly. Loser pays all legal fees.

[Stu from NYC]

You'd be surprised how many don't realize that 'lil tid-bit...

And they win plenty. Those TV ads and billboards aren't cheap...

Easy to have great average when you can cherrypick your cases.

[JMintzer]

East to have great average when you can cherrypick your cases.

Errr... That was my initial point...

[Stu from NYC]

Errr... That was my initial point...

Just agreeing with you

[Stu from NYC]

Based on 30+ years of experience, I can tell you the tort threshold is only a minor barrier in pursuing a liability claim. No matter how minor the injury, there's a doctor or chiropractor out there somewhere that will claim you have permanent injury and need a lifetime of medical treatment.

Plaintiff attorneys use the risk of a jury possibly believing a made up claim and the threat of legal fees the insurance company will incur if suit is filed to squeeze a settlement out of even the most ridicules claims. Cheaper to settle than to defend.

There is a solution to this matter but it would never fly. Loser pays all legal fees.

Remember what Hamlet said about lawyers

[Topspinmo]

You should be a little more inclusive in that joke. Include used car salesman, lobbyists, realtors and water filter salesmen in there with lawyers.

And snake bellies. Only lawyers are are lower.:loco:

[Blueblaze]

Its odd. We had the same problem in Texas until they passed tort reform. Then all the lawyer ad's disappeared. I guess the ambulance chasers all moved to Florida.

But when Florida passed tort reform, nothing happened. Sorta reminds me of the time they passed a bill that said your insurance company couldn't refuse to insure your 20-year roof just because it was 15 years old. My insurance company dropped coverage on my 14-year-old roof that very year. I repeatedly complained to the insurance commission (or whatever they call it here, I forget the name) and never did get a reply.

Maybe you have to actually enforce laws if you want them them to work.