My solicitors calculation is around 400k, which I know is the very maximum imaginable and was never really a figure I might receive.
The case is almost 5 years old and I suffered a moderate head injury (agreed by both sides neurological specialists), fractured skull, slight visual impairment, anosmia, loss of taste etc
I am mortified at the dirt they have dug up about me, including a pregnancy termination over 15 years ago. So they are playing hardball. 18 months ago I accepted a 25% responsibility for my accident (which I'm not really happy about, but wanted the case to progress). Today I received an offer of £57,500,00 (from which all sickness benefits will be taken back).
I am seeing my solicitor, neurosurgeon and barrister on 12th February but in the meantime I want to know if first offers are always rejected or if I may have to settle for this amount. The court hearing is scheduled for between July and mid September.
What is the likelihood that I will have to settle for this amount?
I have scoured the net and am more confused than ever.
Are first offers always low-ball?
They are associating my depression and lethargy etc to an already evident problem because I took anti depressants and saw a counselor 10 years ago after my husband died. They are painting me very Black, I am so upset.
At the time of my accident I had a fantastic job and had 3 promotions in 4 months, I was part way through 2 evening class qualifications so even though they are making me look bad, my life was on the up at the time of the accident.
My partner lost his job because he had to look after me and my daughter quit her college course to help so it affected all our lives quite badly.
Answer by Rik D
The first one is the damage limitation (on their part)
Hold out for more
£57k isn't really a lot of money especially if max could be £400k
But ALWAYS listen to your solictor
Answer by dazz_delamorte
If it were me I would hold out for a little more. I was in a car accident years ago (1996) .. was not at fault, and I was hurt (back and neck injuries mostly). I ended up taking their first offer and signing off on any future medical problems i may have due to the accident. I never should have done that!! Since that time I have had issues come up that had to do with my accident injuries back then, and when its cold or damp I get very bad pains sometimes. I am told the older i get the worse some of those pains will get, and that yes they are from when I was injured. I too lost a very good job over my accident, and have not found anything that pays as well or that is as secure etc. as that job was. I wish I would have held out for alot more now. (my little bit of money went pretty quick once I paid my medical bills off and bought a cheap used car to relpace the one that was wrecked). I would think twice about accepting their offer. I assume you have a lawyer.. what does the lawyer say? You might want to ask for a certain amount more and tell them you will take that to settle out of court.. then see what happens. Reguardless of what you end up doing, I wish you the best of luck!
Answer by open4one
There is no way you're going to get decent advice here. I'd be surprised if this case file isn't two inches thick, there's NO WAY you could give enough relevant facts on Yahoo for anyone, even an experienced litigator or neurosurgeon, to have a reasonable guess.
See your solicitor, get competent advice.
As a casual observation, I doubt that the timing of the offer and your appointment with the solicitor are totally unrelated.
Give your answer to this question below!
Orignal From: Should you always reject the first offer to settle in a personal injury compensation case?
Post a Comment