Legal Question in Personal Injury in California
I obtained a lawyer in one state and the lawyer ended up dropping my case advised me to get another attorney in the state which the accident took place he also said I did not owe anything at all.Now my question is do I still owe the medical offices that the first attorney sent me to?
1 Answer from Attorneys
I can't say for sure because I don't know your particular case or the laws of the state you're talking about, but here in California, most personal injury clients sign liens with their doctors which are basically promises to pay the bills from a settlement OR to pay personally if there is no settlement. The bills are real and have to be paid one way or another. The lawyer only gets paid a percentage, so if there is zero recovery, his fee is one-third of zero. Also, by dropping the case he relinquishes his rights to get paid.
That is NOT true for the doctors. Their fees are for services rendered regardless of what happens to your case. They treated you, and you owe them for it. Only fair, right? After all, you were hurt and they took care of you. Why shouldn't they be paid? Take the lawyer's advice and get a lawyer in the state where the accident happened NOW! Before the statute of limitations expires.