Legal Question in Personal Injury in Ohio

Reopen a case that was signed off

In 1999 my mother and I were

victims of a car accident. We

contacted a lawyer that came to

the home within a few days of the

accident. We were told that the

case was solid and talked in to

filing a suit. Months after the

accident we began the ''process''

or making a case. Little by little,

the solid case we started out with,

began to crumble. The attorney's

aide or legal assistant, began to

down play and by the time we

were ready for court, we were told

that we should settle and by the

end I don't think we even got

$5000. We were inexperienced

and believed that attorney had our

best interest at hand.

What a joke. It is now several

years later and I have had a

multitude of neck, back, pelvic and

other problems. Can anything be

done? Do we have any recourse?

I am very upset that the attorneys

get off gaining trust from victims

and then let them down.


Asked on 7/25/07, 9:50 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Melissa Lipchak Melissa R. Lipchak, Attorney at Law

Re: Reopen a case that was signed off

When you settled the case, you probably signed a release of all of your claims. The release generally contains language that you agree to the settlement and are releasing all claims relating to the accident, including known and unknown personal injuries. The attorney was probably relying, in part, on the records of your physician. If your physician did not render an opinion that you would have permanent damages, you would not be able to recover for those damages. Also, due to the length of time since the accident, the statute of limitations has expired.

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Answered on 7/26/07, 8:28 am


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