Legal Question in Personal Injury in Florida

RE: Personal Injury, Auto Accident, Florida

RE: 2009 accident in which other driver cited for intoxication, clearly at fault. My car totaled. My injuries, per MRI & other tests notable, possibly requiring surgeries.

I have uninsured motorist coverage. The agent at my insurance co. handling the Unisured Motorist claim is asking me to sign an authorization for release of my medical information "so that we may obtain the medical records from your PIP file..." from THIS accident as well as from a prior accident (2006, minor, whiplash accident, but with some similar injuries in cervical spine. MRI's & tests show new injuries, including to lower back, as well as exacerbated injury to cervical spine/neck).

My question is: Is there any reason that I should NOT sign and return this release? Does signing this release in any way compromise my position here?


Asked on 10/06/10, 9:36 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

Nicholas Dorsten Blake & Dorsten, P.A.

1. If you have already hired a personal injury lawyer, listen to his advice and follow it!/ 2. If you have NOT hired a personal injury attorney yet, you might want to reconsider. Most PI lawyers offer a free consultation and experienced lawyers will be able to best protect your rights and maximize your settlement. In my experience, a plaintiff that tries to represent his or herself in a case rarely achieves the same results as one who hired a lawyer.

To answer your question, based on the facts you gave, it sounds like signing that will not be a problem. Read carefully so you know exactly what you are signing......

Good Luck,

www.BlakeDorstenLaw.com

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Answered on 10/11/10, 11:14 am

Signing the health release form is typically ok in most situations. However, you need to be careful with any documents you sign for the insurance company, especially since you're pursuing a UM claim through them. Remember that everything they do will be in their best interests, not yours. Beyond that, you may wish to consult a professional in this field who can represent you. Remember that the insurance company is always well represented. Good luck.

Jose A. Negroni, Esq.

Negroni Law Group, LLC

954-321-6115

www.NegroniLaw.com

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Answered on 10/11/10, 11:48 am
Angelo Marino Angelo Marino Jr. PA

Get an attorney. Second, if you wish to represent yourself -- I will skip the saying about that -- then limit the release to a certain period of time and also to only listed doctors.

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Answered on 10/13/10, 2:14 pm


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