billythefish
Registered User
- Messages
- 159
Hi all
I'm wondering if you think that €2,400 is high for solicitors' professional fees to administer a PIAB application.
I was initially told by the solicitor that the prof. fee would be €1,200. Now I'm being told that was a minimum fee.
Granted, it's been going on for about 18 months but I really don't think that there's been anything out of the ordinary that would accrue double the supposedly "minimum" fee. I really haven't been a high-maintenance client.
Any informed opinions would be appreciated.
Hi MOB
Many thanks for that. The following work would have been done apart from what I suppose would be normal administration re a PIAB application:
- Arrange for consultation with specialist re injuries
- Co-ordinate with respondent's insurance company re their medical exam
- Arrange for consultation with PIAB doctor
- Pass on correspondence from respondent insurance company re inspection of damaged vehicle.
- 25 letters to me. For most of these, phone calls or even e-mails would have been sufficient.
Any thoughts?
Most of the work sounds mechanistic and run-of-the-mill. Even if there was an additional doctors consultation or so (which could be arranged by the secretary/apprentice/gap year student) it hardly justifies the extent of the increase outlined (which would assume doubling of workload).
None of this excuses the fact that OP feels misled about what the case would cost - which, as I say, may be due to bad communication, failure to listen, or other factors.
My sister attended this initial meeting with me. It was three days after the accident and my head was still in a bit of a spin. She got the same understanding re fees from the meeting as I did.
The fees were never verified in writing other than to say that no win meant no professional fee.
If there was work over and above what would normally accrue the "minimum" charge, I could understand a fee that was a certain percentage over that, maybe 25% or 30%. But double?.. with an extra €250 thrown on for postage, fax and phone? I just feel like I'm having a pound of flesh taken.
I spoke to the solicitor yesterday. He said that best case scenario would be that it would go to court, we would win and that the other side would pay the legal fees. Best case scenario?? Is the PIAB not set up so as these cases wouldn't have to go to court?.
Also, in the "best case scenario" where the respondent would pay the legal fees, my solicitor can probably name his price. Am I being hammered for denying him his day in court and what would probably be a big payday?
Most legal work is mechanistic and run-of-the-mill, especially if you are a lawyer. I am not suggesting that there was any unusual complexity here. I do say that:
a. It is possible to settle a claim with a good deal less work;
b. A fee of €1200 would be consistent with such a case ( i.e. one involving a good deal less work)
c. the total amount of work in this case sounds consistent with a fee of €2400.
None of this excuses the fact that OP feels misled about what the case would cost - which, as I say, may be due to bad communication, failure to listen, or other factors.
But if OP is wondering whether he\she is being overcharged then - on the basis of the information available thus far - my answer would be no.
I find it hard to imagine how there could be a 'good deal less work' then what has been described by OP.
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