If my attorney pocketed settlement money, what are my legal options?
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If my attorney pocketed settlement money, what are my legal options?
After my attorney won my lawsuit my attorney took out $19,000 from my settlement to pay for my $19,000 in medical bills I just realized from the receipts that the medical center sent me for payment only adds up to $10,000. It seems that my attorney made a deal with medical center to only pay $10,000 and the medical center has it as paid in full. I know that that $9000 is my money not my attorney’s. Iow do i get that money from the attorney? Is there a statue of limitations; the case is from 7 years ago?
Asked on November 21, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, California
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It is possible that what may have occurred is that some of the medical bills may have been paid by insurance and that is why the balance was ten thousand instead of nineteen thousand. The attorney should have contacted the medical provider to verify the final balance before writing a check to the medical provider for the presumed total. You should contact the attorney and request an accounting. If the matter is not resolved with the attorney, you can contact your State Bar.
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