Question"I was in a car wreck on 6-15-10. The other driver was at fault. We both have state farm insurance. I've been to physical therapy and then sent for an MRI because the pain was still happening. MRI shows herniated disc at c6 and 7. The doctor has prescribed me Cymbatla and really wants me to go forth with the steroid injections. I'm nervous...just have a huge fear if needles in my spine!
I retained a lawyer after state farm offered me a $1200. They paid 3k of my medical bills and I still owe almost 2k and counting.
My car was totaled and they were very fair on that.
I don't have medical insurance and those Cymbalta are $160 A MONTH!
My lawyer wants me to come up with a demand amount for State farm and I really have no idea. I called the adjuster to ask what the policy limits are on the other driver. She wouldn't give me the info...which I expected. My policy limit is 50k.
I feel stupid because I do not know what to ask for. I'm 40 years old and have pretty much no past medical history. If I live to be 70 years old...just the Cymbalta will cost almost 60k!
Any advise is very much appreciated.
Thank you. :)"
AnswerHi Dawn,
First of all, since you have an attorney, you should not be contacting the claims adjuster for anything. That is your attorny's job. It is also your attorny's job to determine the value of your case based on the past, current and future medical needs based on the doctors reports. If your attorney is not able to do this then fire him/her and get a new lawyer.
It may be too early to determine a value until more time passes, you get more treatments and your doctor can write a prognosis report. Based on what you have stated here, you have only provided enough info to justify a claim value of maybe 10k to 12k. The bigger your medical file and bills, the more valuable your claim becomes.
I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh
