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From: Butch.Walker@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Butch Walker)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: I need an opinion...soon!
Message-ID: <12856@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 18 Jul 90 04:44:55 GMT
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Index Number: 9252

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

>Last Thursday, I was hit with some devastating news...it seems that I
>am only being offered $10,000 instead of the original $40,000 that I
>asked for from State Farm.  
> 
>My best friend in Austin told me that I should consider taking it,
>since if I tried to sue...I may not get anything!!  

Liz, I'm not an attorney, but I can relate this.  My daughter (now 15)  
was hit by a car last year while crossing legally at a cross walk.  The  
accident tore her knee up, but did not require emergency surgery, and we 
elected not to have any surgery on her knee. ( We didn't want to subject 
her to at least a year of very painfull and tough rehab at her age).  We 
did put her in physical therapy for 3 months and they built her muscles  
up to compensate for her knee.

Now why am I telling you all of that?  The individuals insurance company 
just proposed a settlement of all of her medical expenses (approx.  
$5,000) plus $8,000 for pain and suffering.  I have agreed to accept  
that figure PROVIDING the insurer remains on claim for any subsequent  
knee problems and or surgery.  To this date I have not received a reply.

I can tell you this.  As long as the insurer feels like they are dealing 
with a know nothing college student, they will force the situation.  I  
would contact some of the local advocacy groups for the impaired and  
have them recommend legal council.  I would also make sure that you have 
a medical opinion to back up your claim of continued suffering.

Hang in there! 
 ~ Via ProEdit 3.2R 

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