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Personal Injury Claim? It Pays to Get a Second Opinion

Personal Injury Claim? It Pays to Get a Second Opinion

When Latoya Golden’s 17-year-old son Marcus was injured in a car crash, she decided to use a TV lawyer to help her son with his case. After several months of not hearing any follow up, she finally got a call: the attorney wanted to simply settle the claim. “When he told me he was going to settle I was happy at first,” she said. “But then he told me how much would be left for Marcus after attorney fees and medical bills, and I felt it was just too low.” Over the next few weeks as the attorney continued pushing for a settlement, Latoya decided it was time for fresh advice.  She opted for a second opinion on her personal injury claim and took her son’s case to Mark Wolfe of Boteler Richardson Wolfe – Injury Lawyers. After the meeting with Mark, the case file was transferred to him.

“Marcus’ claim was interesting in that he had health insurance, but the hospital that treated his injuries opted not to bill it,” said Wolfe. “Instead, they filed a hospital lien against his insurance claim for the full balance of their service.”  Wolfe advises this is not uncommon in car crash cases, but often the lien can be negotiated down to the same amount as the health insurance provider would have paid.  In addition, Marcus had other damages that had not been previously documented when the other lawyer had presented the claim.  “When I took on the case, I felt confident we could get the hospital lien reduced and the overall settlement amount increased. Our fee was only charged against the additional benefit we won for Marcus.”

He was right. After several weeks of work, Mark was able to double the amount of money Marcus recovered from his accident.  Wolfe credits a team effort to pull together a great client result. “Our staff is used to navigating the technicalities of hospital liens and negotiating reductions for their repayment,” he said.  “When a firm like ours has years of litigation experience in car crash cases and a record of meaningful verdicts and settlements – insurance companies realize who they’re working with.  That experience helps to convince a claims adjustor to rethink… and up the offer on a settlement.

None of this was lost on Latoya, who was quite happy with the result for her son.  “Marcus can now afford a car to help him with transportation, and when he turns 19, he’ll get another check,” she said enthusiastically.  When asked about her experience with the two lawyers, she described the difference as night and day.  “Mr. Wolfe and his office kept us informed every step of the way. He told us what he was going to try and do and how he thought he could benefit Marcus. He was always available to answer my questions. I felt like the other lawyer just wanted to get my son’s claim over with as quickly as possible and wasn’t really concerned about helping Marcus.”

The Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct allow attorneys to provide second opinions about a legal matter. If you would like a second opinion about the value of your personal injury claim or case call Mark Wolfe today at 251 410-7761 to discuss the proper protocol and procedure to get a second opinion.