Personal Injury Attorney?
A friend went into to see a chiropractor regarding a car accident she was in. The other insurance has admitted fault. Before she was even exam by the chiropractor whom she was meeting for the first time he informed her she “really” should seek an attorney. He went as far to recommending her to an attorney he deals with with his injured workers and trying to get her to talk to the attorney. Is there something “suspicious” about this? Or is this the way the system work? I just want to make sure if she choose to hire an attorney she is hiring someone to best represent her.
Do I think it’s bad advice? No. Do I think he gets a little cut off the top? Yes.
It is suspicious – no. Just means he and the attorney are in cahouts and she should go find a chiropractor that is more interested in treating her correctly than squeezing a few dollars out of the system.
I think it’s horrible advice for her to run straight to an attorney. She has her own insurance. As part of that insurance, her insurance is suppose to work with the other insurance to make sure the case is handled fairly. In the future, if she thinks it’s necessary to retain an attorney, she can consider it then. But it shouldn’t be a first step.
If it were me in the situation you describe I would be very suspicious of this “sweetheart” deal. The chiropractor sends the lawyer referrals in return for a finder’s fee and, no doubt, the lawyer reciprocates by sending his clients to the chiropractor for a diagnosis favorable to the lawyer’s case.
At the least it is unethical and in some jurisdictions it may be outright illegal.
The attorney and the chiro have a deal worked out.
The attorney will refer clients to the chiro and the chiro will refer clients to that attorney.
It’s possible that there is some kind of kick back or referral fee exchanged between the 2, but there is no way for your friend to know.
I would not trust it and I agree with the other poster who said to go find a chiro or doc that’s more interested in helping you get better than milking the system.
I would also wait to hire an attorney. An attorney takes 33% of any settlement you get as his fee. Why give 1/3 of your money to an attorney if you don’t have to? Your friend can work directly with the insurance company. Later, if she decides she does not want to work with the ins co and wants to give 33% of her settlement to an attorney she can go hire one then.
Is this a work injury claim? Consult with an atty costs nothing.
Polling a message board costs nothing…but the advice IS not the
same. Think about it…so far, most of this thread is simply
misinformation. At best.