Overcharged on lawsuit engineer's report help?

FerretFighterX

Hi guys. First of all I wasn't quite sure if this thread belongs here or in the Consumer Issues section so my bad if I'm in the wrong place

About 4 years ago I filed suit against a beauty therapy company for damages to my skin because of their faulty equipment. My lawyer got an engineer to go to check their equipment and issue a report as part of the case.
I found out the engineer is charging a whopping 4,300. We had a psychology report done also and that was only about 600. I have heard that this sort of engineer report should by no means amount to more than 2.5 grand incl vat at most, which leaves me very stumped

My question is, does anybody have any experience with similar reports of cases and in your opinion, how much would an average engineer's report amount to?
This guy is doing 12 hours x e245, making up e2940, adding on 600 just for photos taken aswell.. then vat on top of that. He's also charging me for the 3 times that the company rescheduled the appointment for him to check the machines.. Is that really fair to add those as expenses, and on to me aswell?

Any advice or perspective would really be appreciated. Thanks guys!

Pat Mustard

This is a legal costs question in relation to a personal injury case.

It is very hard to answer your questions properly without being familiar with your file. Your file is most likely with your solicitor.

It is not clear how much costs, if any, are covered from any settlement or award in your favour.

You need to go back to your solicitor and explain to him that you have queries in relation to this bill from the engineer.

You could consider asking:
1. Why did the engineer bill 12 hours?
2. How much of the engineer's costs are covered in your award/settlement (if any)?
3. What portion of the engineer's bill are you now being asked to pay?
4. Will the engineer negotiate?
5. Why are you being charged for appointments which were rescheduled?
6. Is the defendant responsible for the additional engineering costs incurred in rescheduling appointments?
7. What are your options in relation to the bill?

ResearchWill

I went into a car garrage recently I wanted to buy a car they wanted to sell me a car for 100k I said I can get one for 20k new. Am I bring robbed? Depends am I buying a fiesta or a Bentley. If you are not happy say so and ask for a breakdown.

How much are you bring asked to pay?

afatbollix

The op said it in the first post 4.3k. They also did a breakdown. Maybe you should reread the OP?

Pat Mustard

afatbollix wrote: »

The op said it in the first post 4.3k. They also did a breakdown. Maybe you should reread the OP?

We do not have the full picture from the OP.

The OP says that the engineer is charging €4,300. We have not been told how much is recoverable (or has been recovered) from the defendant. We can call that figure X. The engineer will look to the OP for the balance.

Therefore, the OP could be asked to pay €4,300 - €X in respect of engineering fees.

ResearchWill

afatbollix wrote: »

The op said it in the first post 4.3k. They also did a breakdown. Maybe you should reread the OP?

I read the OP, you so did not get my post. So please reread my post. I'm not saying the OP is wrong, I'm saying what the OP can do if unhappy. The breakdown set out hours by rate per hour, it also said appointments cancelled, while it said 3 it did not say when, mileage is not stated, while €600 is claimed for photos was that for 1 photograph or 600.

In relation to my question how much YOU being asked to pay it was after the defendant paid the ****ing costs.