Making the Client "Whole"

Dec 15, 2016

OUTCOME: Settlement

Personal injury client was a passenger in a vehicle struck from behind at a relatively low speed (35 mph). He strained his back and neck and required about a month of physical therapy before he was ba ... ck to 100%. His medical expenses were roughly $2K. However, he is self-employed as an arborist (tree worker), and due to his injuries, he missed out on a job that would have paid him roughly $5K because the homeowner had a limited timeframe in which to complete the work and had to hire another company because my client was injured and could not complete the work in time. The insurance adjuster (USAA) did not believe that my client had lost the job in its entirety, so I tracked down the homeowner, spoke with him, and had him sign and affidavit describing the work to be completed and the payment amount. Eventually, the adjuster caved and paid out lost wages dollar-for-dollar. I also obtained med pay benefits for my client that paid dollar-for-dollar on his treatment, and obtained a favorable settlement from USAA that was roughly triple my client's medical expenses, plus his lost wages. Even after attorney's fees, my client walked away with full compensation for his injuries, lost wages, and then some for "pain and suffering." A "whole" client is a happy client.