You can hire an attorney without a fee agreement.

Legal assistants can obtain information and give that information to attorneys. They cannot give legal advice.

For private clients they will be referred to other attorneys or advised to seek other attorneys. For appointed cases, a new appointment will be made.

You need to discuss this with your attorney or hire a new attorney to finish the case.

This is not improper discrimination. It is proper for attorneys to determine if a lawsuit will result in a monetary recovery.

Only if the fee agreement provides that. The referring attorney may be paid but it is from the fees of the attorney you hired.

Consult with experienced legal malpractice attorneys in the state where this occurred.

No you must file a motion or an answer. Make sure the settlement company actually resolved the case and received a written release.

Use the Avvo search tool to find an attorney. https://www.avvo.com/find-a-lawyer

If you were injured you may have a claim. Consult with experienced injury attorneys in the state where this occurred.