Legal Question in Legal Ethics in Georgia

I retained a lawyer to represent me in an accident. We settled the case in March 2016. Five months later I received a medical bill for $11k that he failed to pay. I sent the recovery letter to him. He avoided me right up to the deadline to pay. I finally spoke to him and he said, I need to call them again and don't worry about the deadline. I received another letter today threatening to place this in collection which would have a negative affect on me. So, I sent him a copy and I called the company. They said they have not heard from him and until they received an agreement contract between us that they would not send him anything directly. I have 60 days to pay if he can't resolve this. He lied and hasn't even contacted them. If he fails to resolve this can I sue him for mishandling my case? Is he and or his firm responsible for paying this now that it has been settle or am I responsible and finally will another attorney take a case agaisnt another under these circumstances?


Asked on 8/18/16, 4:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Glen Ashman Ashman Law Office also dba Glen Ashman Attorney

You're responsible for the bill. A danger in settlement is clients unwilling to wait for late bills, and once you sign a release you can't reopen the case. You know who provided your care...why did you settle without telling the lawyer you did not yet have such a large bill? Note that once the case settled he ceased being your lawyer.

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Answered on 8/23/16, 6:20 pm


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