Solicitor / loss of earnings query

stryker mcqueen

Hi ,

I was involved in a motor accident in March where I was rear ended by a third party . The property damage side of my claim is getting sorted at the moment after weeks of getting nowhere .

After the accident I was in A&E and was certified off work for 2 weeks , but I don't get paid for sick leave and have a baby on the way so returned after 1 for financial reasons .

The insurer has said they are expecting a solicitors letter or deal with personal injury side of things and medical expenses etc , so I got onto a solicitor who quoted me €1500 fee's ? Is this correct ?

I'm out of pocket so I'm looking For my loss if earnings back and the hospital have sent me a bill for over €500 , so I need this side of things sorted ASAP for obvious reasons .

So do I have to go through a solicitor for this ? Like PIAB costs €40 to submit a claim , so €1500 seems very excessive to me , but maybe this is standard ?

Sorry for the long post , and I hope I've explained that properly ,

Thanks

goz83

Go to a solicitor who offers a "no win no fee" service. Fee will be paid at end of successful claim and is around €1500, yes. The PIAB will not reimburse you for solicitors fees, because you don't need a solicitor to process a personal injury claim. Once your injuries are resolved, or at least understood, you then apply to the PIAB. I would personally let a solicitor deal with it, but it's up to you.

Regarding your loss of earnings, you would need to get proof that you lost €€€€ for missing a week of work. Your employer should be able to state this, or you produce a pay slip for a week and give proof your doctor certified you off work. Keep all receipts and expenses are included in a successful settlement. The PIAB fee is around €40, which is also recovered in a successful claim. The other side will want you to see one of their appointed doctors and you will also be expected to pay around €300 for a medical report down the line (also recoverable). I am afraid you will be out of pocket for a while, but make sure you are looking after your health.

I have been through this before and it takes about 18 months to 2 years to settle a personal injury case.

Valentine1

stryker mcqueen wrote: »

Hi ,

I was involved in a motor accident in March where I was rear ended by a third party . The property damage side of my claim is getting sorted at the moment after weeks of getting nowhere .

After the accident I was in A&E and was certified off work for 2 weeks , but I don't get paid for sick leave and have a baby on the way so returned after 1 for financial reasons .

The insurer has said they are expecting a solicitors letter or deal with personal injury side of things and medical expenses etc , so I got onto a solicitor who quoted me €1500 fee's ? Is this correct ?

I'm out of pocket so I'm looking For my loss if earnings back and the hospital have sent me a bill for over €500 , so I need this side of things sorted ASAP for obvious reasons .

So do I have to go through a solicitor for this ? Like PIAB costs €40 to submit a claim , so €1500 seems very excessive to me , but maybe this is standard ?

Sorry for the long post , and I hope I've explained that properly ,

Thanks

Your Solicitor is going to do more than file a form with PIAB and if you have chosen a decent one will have plenty of experience with Personal Injury Claims. If they are good at their job you will see the benefit of hiring them and feel that their fees is money well spent.

As stated above it will be at least 18 to 24 months before you receive any compensation, if things are contested it could be much longer.