I'm looking for some advise from Legal eagles ?
I sustained an injury, through no fault of my own, and have engaged a solicitor who came recommended to me, to advise and guide through the PIAB process, and go further if needs be.
Upon first meeting the solicitor about 6 months ago, she seemed genuine and understanding, and seemed to think that I would have no issue winning the case(obviously no guarantees).
She sent me to a specialist to identify the exact extent of the injury (which is still ongoing).
The wait time before I saw this specialist was say 2-3 months.
I queried fees at the time, and she was vague, saying it was difficult without knowing the extent of the damage.
Within the last few weeks I had a second visit to the specialist, and I had my second meeting with my solicitor in which I filled out the PIAB application.
I subsequently received the section 68 letter, quiet long/detailed and a bit long winded, advising what hourly rate is and details of what is included/excluded in costs if we go past PIAB and go to the courts. Very vague in specifics, just saying that costs awarded may not be full costs and I would be required to pay the difference. (a bit worrying, is there normally a big difference in awarded costs and actual cost ?).
She has said it is difficult to put a cost on future work, as the workload is unknown, that I am resposible for fees for work carried out, plus any extras etc.
She does state that she expected the costs for the PIAB work to cost between €2000-€3000 + Vat + Outlays. It also detailed
I've been told that I will need to have a follow up visit to the specialist in 9 months, to asses the injury then.
Q1. Can a report done in 9 months time be added to an already submitted PIAB application?
So I've seen other posts with fees of 1200 - 2000 mentioned, a few even to 2500.
I'm left wondering if the estimated price ("expected" doesnt mean actual to me) of 2-3 is a small bit excessive ?
Q2. Does an "estimate" of 2-3k + Vat + Outlays seem a bit expensive ? I feel that i'm on the train already and can't just walk off if I feel I'm being charged more than I should.
Q3. Also, What constitutes standard "outlays" for a common PIAB case, Medical reports I understand are part of this, but what other costs are outlays; is it phone calls, postage costs for letters ?
Q4. and what roughly do they cost would ?
I'm trying to get a rough estimate of TOTAL costs that will be deducted from any prospective award.
say 3k Fees + 2or3 medical reports + other Outlays + Vat @ 21%.
A very rough estimate, 3000 + 1200 + ??? 300 + (.21 x 4500) 945 = 5445 Say 5,500
Would the above seem like an average Total cost deduction from Solicitors PIAB work?
Q5. Would I be correct in assuming that although 6 months have gone, and I have only recently filled out the application, that there would be very little work done to date by the solicitor ?
Thanks
Firsttime.
I sustained an injury, through no fault of my own, and have engaged a solicitor who came recommended to me, to advise and guide through the PIAB process, and go further if needs be.
Upon first meeting the solicitor about 6 months ago, she seemed genuine and understanding, and seemed to think that I would have no issue winning the case(obviously no guarantees).
She sent me to a specialist to identify the exact extent of the injury (which is still ongoing).
The wait time before I saw this specialist was say 2-3 months.
I queried fees at the time, and she was vague, saying it was difficult without knowing the extent of the damage.
Within the last few weeks I had a second visit to the specialist, and I had my second meeting with my solicitor in which I filled out the PIAB application.
I subsequently received the section 68 letter, quiet long/detailed and a bit long winded, advising what hourly rate is and details of what is included/excluded in costs if we go past PIAB and go to the courts. Very vague in specifics, just saying that costs awarded may not be full costs and I would be required to pay the difference. (a bit worrying, is there normally a big difference in awarded costs and actual cost ?).
She has said it is difficult to put a cost on future work, as the workload is unknown, that I am resposible for fees for work carried out, plus any extras etc.
She does state that she expected the costs for the PIAB work to cost between €2000-€3000 + Vat + Outlays. It also detailed
I've been told that I will need to have a follow up visit to the specialist in 9 months, to asses the injury then.
Q1. Can a report done in 9 months time be added to an already submitted PIAB application?
So I've seen other posts with fees of 1200 - 2000 mentioned, a few even to 2500.
I'm left wondering if the estimated price ("expected" doesnt mean actual to me) of 2-3 is a small bit excessive ?
Q2. Does an "estimate" of 2-3k + Vat + Outlays seem a bit expensive ? I feel that i'm on the train already and can't just walk off if I feel I'm being charged more than I should.
Q3. Also, What constitutes standard "outlays" for a common PIAB case, Medical reports I understand are part of this, but what other costs are outlays; is it phone calls, postage costs for letters ?
Q4. and what roughly do they cost would ?
I'm trying to get a rough estimate of TOTAL costs that will be deducted from any prospective award.
say 3k Fees + 2or3 medical reports + other Outlays + Vat @ 21%.
A very rough estimate, 3000 + 1200 + ??? 300 + (.21 x 4500) 945 = 5445 Say 5,500
Would the above seem like an average Total cost deduction from Solicitors PIAB work?
Q5. Would I be correct in assuming that although 6 months have gone, and I have only recently filled out the application, that there would be very little work done to date by the solicitor ?
Thanks
Firsttime.