Practice Areas

• Workers' Compensation
• Personal Injury
• Social Security Disability
• Employment Law

Library

Personal Injury

• Lightning Strikes Twice (download book)
• Website Resources for Injury Victims
• Police Report/ Accident Report Samples
• Auto Insurance Declaration Page
• Certificate of Employment

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Testimonials

"Mr. Richardson and Ms. York were always available - and they did a terrific job."

"Chip Permar and his team were outstanding!"

"You showed so much concern for me as a person -- there is such a personal touch to everything you do."

"I don't know what I would have done without you!"

"We were nervous at first, but you put us at ease."

"John and Stephanie were patient with me. Great teamwork!"

"Being injured turned into a life-changing event, but it was comforting to know that you understood me and were only a phone call away."

"You guys are on top of your game."

"I researched law firms on the internet, and I could not have asked for a better attorney."

"Whenever I called I got answers."

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Will the money from my settlement come directly to me?

A: Not usually.  If your personal injury case is settled with the insurance company of the person who caused your injuries, there are often a number of post-settlement issues that will need to be resolved before proceeds can be distributed. 

For example, you may have unpaid medical bills, or, if you have health insurance, your health insurance company may have a lien on the settlement proceeds for reimbursement of the money paid for your medical bills for treatment from the accident. 

Another lien comes up when your injury was a result of an "on the job" accident.  In that case, if you also have a workers' compensation insurer paying you benefits, that insurer will have a lien on your personal injury settlement for the benefits they paid.  If you cannot resolve this issue with the workers' compensation insurer, a petition may need to be filed to have the matter resolved by a superior court judge. 

And yet another lien can occur when medicaid or medicare pays your medical bills from the injury case. The bottom line is that almost every case has one or more of these types of post-settlement issues.  Your attorney should spend plenty of time investigating each of these possibilities, exploring whether the lien or claim is valid and explaining the options to you.  Many times your attorney can negotiate a reduced payment on these liens or claims.  We do this work on behalf of our clients as part of our overall representation of your case.