At Allen Flatt Ballidis and Leslie, a personal injury law firm located in Newport Beach, CA, we were recently referred a female client who had been injured in a motor vehicle accident, and who had a long history of back issues.
Following her accident, our client contacted her physician to set up an appointment and they refused to see her since her increased back pain was due to a motor vehicle accident. Having received zero support from her own doctor who she turned to, she then contacted another physician and omitted telling them that her back injury was related to her accident. This second physician, and many others who treated our client along the way, recommended she have a very necessary back surgery. On a related note and during the last several years, our attorneys are finding these types of situations are becoming more common in the medical field, considering many physicians no longer want to “be involved” in medical legal cases.
When it came time to negotiate a settlement on behalf of our client, it was exceedingly difficult for the insurance company to evaluate her case due to her pre-existing condition—and because none of her medical records had any mention of her accident. The insurance company who evaluated the claim did not make any offers to settle the case, so we filed the lawsuit against the negligent driver and entered litigation.
Our experienced and skillful attorneys were able to strategize and prepare our client for all the questions that she might be asked regarding her preexisting back complaint. We were also able to equip her to communicate effectively, the reason(s) she never mentioned the accident to any of her previous medical providers.
Based on Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie’s long-term reputation with the defense attorney, there was a keen awareness that our attorneys would fight for our client to make sure she received the compensation she deserved. Because of these factors, opposing counsel agreed to mediate our client’s case although it was fraught with complexity and difficulties, and the mediator took the time to get to know our client and really understood the challenges that this case presented.
We are happy to report that this case settled at mediation for over $400,000 and our client felt she was awarded what she deserved and was able to get her health and life back on track.
If you, or someone you know or care about, has been involved in a car, truck, scooter, bicycle, or another type of roadway accident, please call or text our office at (949) 752-7474, email us at contactus@allenflatt.com or contact through our website at www.allenflatt.com.
At Allen Flatt Ballidis and Leslie, we offer solid, reliable, and trusted legal counsel for those who have been injured as a result of the negligence of others. We are also known for the level of compassion we show our clients and the way we treat everyone who walks through our doors like family.