Legal Question in Personal Injury in California
lawyer says case settled
i stepped into a hole on rental property four years ago and was given a pasadena lawyer to represent me on a collect when i collect basis. they filed papers,suing for 25,000. i was told i won by default because the landlord failed to appear in court.they told me i would have to wait to collect until he sold property or something. now i recieve a call that case has been settled ,but for only 1250.00,that the defendants lawyer had the judge set aside my 25,000 suit and settle for 1250.now they finally send me a release form saying that my portion is 505.00,and requesting me to sign the release and send it back.what should i do,my leg was injured,turned almost black,i am 73 years old,and i still walk with a limp from this incident.can you offer some advice.can i take him back to court using a different attorney and re-sue. this 505 dollars is not worth my time even when i initially sued for 25,000 and supposedly won by default.does this seem shady to you? thank you for any advice you can offer me
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: lawyer says case settled
Please obtain your entire file from your attorney, bring it to another attorney for a full evaluation. If you did not authorize the settlement for the small amount, then it cannot be settled for that amount. Take action immediately. Good luck!
Re: lawyer says case settled
As the saying goes, "Something's rotten in Denmark!!!"
Don't sign any release authorizing settlement, get your file from your lawyer and call another lawyer for a consultation.
You may also contact me for a free consultation.
Re: lawyer says case settled
Do not sign! Something is definitely wrong with this scenario. You need to find out more. First insist on seening your entire file. Next go to the courthouse and get a copy of the court file. Take both to another attorney and get them reviewed. It sounds like your attorney may have screwed this one up and is not telling you. Even if he hasn't, you can always change attorneys at no additional cost and a lot of attorneys would be willing to look at your files for no charge. The injuries that you describe are worth more than the settlement and possibly more than $25,000.
Call if you need help.
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