AboutDoctor Settlement Expertise 27 years of front line plaintiff`s trial lawyer experience in PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIMS. Along with other attorneys and insurance adjusters, we have created a website to help injured people settle their own personal injury claims. With the help from feedback from hundreds of satisfied members, www.settlementcentral.com has become THE AUTHORITY for Internet personal injury insurance claim settlements. I am humbled and honored if people can benefit from my experience and current volunteer work in helping injured people. I hope I can explain things in a manner that is useful for the questioner. If not, do not hesitate to e-mail me and I will take a second shot at it! Best Wishes for your physical and financial recovery.
Experience
Life Experience: 27 years of front line plaintiff's trial lawyer experience
Organizations: American Trial Lawyers Association (AAJ)
Washington State Trial Lawyers Association
Awards and Honors:
I am humbled and honored everytime I am selected to help injured people. And when people give feedback that they have benefited from my experience and current volunteer efforts, then that is a double honor and award for me.
I've reached a settlement since October 2007 and still have
yet to receive dispersement. The defendant's auto insurance
company sent me a letter stating a settlement check
(showing its amount) had been sent to my attorney's office
six months following the accident for the same amount as
the settlement discussed with my attorney. FYI- It has been
21 months since the accident. I've already signed a
settlement agreement since October 2007 and every time I
call the attorney it appears they are giving me the run
around. SO, my question is essentially how long does an
attorney have before dispersing a settlement when they have
already received the funds from the opposing party?
It seems fishy. Should I get another attorney, for my
attorney??
Answer Hi Rah,
Yes, you are correct; this is waaaaay too long for a disbursement. I would do two things ASAP.
#1. Write a letter via certified mail. Tell the attorney to do these five things and to ensure she writes to you within two days of receipt of this letter, or you will file a complaint with your state bar association: (A) state the date the check was received in her office; (B) explain the reason for this delay; (C) tell you why you are not entitled to interest at the state judgment rate (? In some states it is 12%) from the date the check was received by her office; (D) tell when the money will be disbursed; (E) send you an advance copy of her proposed disbursement sheet so you can review it before going into her office
Tell the attorney that you WILL NOT speak with anyone on the phone. All communication on this topic must be in writing.
#2. Without naming your attorney just yet, get in touch with your state bar association http://www.settlementcentral.com/links.php and ask them what to do. Get the process for a complaint ready to file in case that letter is not forthcoming from the attorney with a satisfactory answer within five business days after they received it.
I trust that my time here has produced some information that has been of value to you, and thus I would respectfully request that you take the time to locate the FEEDBACK FORM on this site and leave some feedback for me.
