AboutPaul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. Expertise I have been a practicing civil trial attorney since 1989 and have a master's degree in bioethics and a doctorate of philosophy in comparative ethics of law, medicine and business.
I am Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and am Certified as a Specialist in Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation by the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.
Experience Experience in the area I have been a practicing trial attorney since 1989 and I have a masters degree in bioethics and a doctorate of philosophy regarding comparative ethics.
Organizations belong to State Bar of Arizona
State Bar of Colorado (inactive)
District of Columbia Bar (inactive)
Federal Bar
Licensed in Arizona District Court
Licensed in Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Licensed in the United States Supreme Court American Bar Association National Board of Trial Advocacy
American Association for Justice
Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
American Society for Bioethics and Humanities Kennedy Institute of Ethics National Association of Realtors
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Arts 1985
Juris Doctorate 1989
Master of Arts in Bioethics 2004 Doctorate of Philosphy 2006
Awards and Honors Phi Beta Kappa
Multiple Who's Who
Publications A list of my copyrighted publications and presentations is contained at WWW.EXPERTETHICS.COM
Question I recently asked my attorney to ask the insurance company for an advance on my settlement due to the fact that I have to have surgery and the date is sooner than I thought it would be. I asked her to as for $500 so that I can pay my bills for the month of my surgery ahead of time because my wife has to take time off of work and we had no time to save money. She sent them a letter that stated that I was requesting $1,000 when I asked for $500. I live in the state of California. Can my lawyer ask for more than what I had asked for? I don't want to take advantage of the insurance company, I just need a lil help?
Answer Jacob,
Your attorney can ask for any amount as an advance but it is unlikely the insurance company will pay it. Insurance companies are in a position where they hold the money while the victims have to scrape by to survive, often due to the accident and their injuries. An insurance company is under no obligation to advance a settlement and very rarely are willing to do so. You are not taking advantage of any insurance company as their responsibility is to their insureds and shareholders and not victims.
There are finance companies that will work with personal injury victims. I am not a strong advocate as those companies often exploit victims but it may give you an alternative if you are financially devastated. You should speak to your attorney about this avenue as well.
