Need advice IN Pennsylvania

[Timothy Belt]

To answer your questions, you never have to settle your case in PA. A compromise and release agreement is not binding until the judge issues a decision approving the agreement. This is true even if you have already signed the agreement and had the hearing. Settlement value depends on many factors, and if your claim is now a specific loss claim, the lump sum value would be substantially less then the total number of weeks for the specific loss. This is true because of the time value of money (you get the money in a lump sum rather than biweekly installments) and the fact that there may be a credit for compensation paid from the date that your injury became a specific loss through the present.

You can always change lawyers in PA, but a fee split may be necessary. An award of unreasonable contest attorney’s fees is possible in PA, but it is rare.

If you are not comfortable with your lawyer and his advice, this is a problem. Since I am a lawyer in NE PA I probably know the lawyers and doctors involved. I am not a big fan of poaching other lawyer’s clients, but I would be willing to talk to you and maybe there is another lawyer at your current firm that would be able to take another look at your file.