Personal Injury

VisualJohn

Hi about a year a go I slipped on a pier and hurt my shoulder I was thinking about making a claim but decided not to as I dont agree with claims and Im suffering no long term damage. I contacted two solictors online and they asked me to send photos which I did. But I never signed any contracts with either when I told one of them I didnt wish to proceed they said they are sending me a bill, can they do this thanks again for any advice

Stheno

I'd imagine so, you used their services and they now want to be paid for that time.

Were you proceeding they would also want paying at some point.

VisualJohn

Even though It was no win no fee, and I didnt ask them to carry out any work

Stheno

VisualJohn wrote: »

Even though It was no win no fee, and I didnt ask them to carry out any work

No win no fee is predicated on you actually taking the case forward.

As it's not going ahead, they are imo entitled to bill for the time they spent talking to you, reviewing pictures etc

VisualJohn

Thats great thanks for your advice. I still think its a little unfair but hey thats lawyers for you

Miaireland

The no win, no fees is based on the case going ahead and you winning. Then the other side pay your solicitor's bill. (The other side being the owner of the pier or their insurance company). As you have not taken a claim (well done for not being part of the sue culture:-)) the only person the solicitor can bill is you.

skelligs

VisualJohn wrote: »

Thats great thanks for your advice. I still think its a little unfair but hey thats lawyers for you

Surely if you had spent years studying a particular field, spent a fortune on college fees and many years of scrimping as a student, you'd hope that you'd be able to charge people for parting with some of the learning you experienced?

Maybe if you went to the doctor and felt ill and after he checks you out says that you are fine - would you expect him not to charge too?

Come on - a bit of realism is needed. You go to a professional person for advice, you need to pay a fair price for it.

dilallio

All doctors (as professionals) have their fees displayed on their notice boards.

I would expect solicitors to do the same or at least inform you of the costs if you decide not to proceed.

Of course, what I expect may not and probably does not happen in the real world, the way the self-regulated legal business works.

If you contacted them through an online website, you will need to look at the terms & conditions on their website and see what the t & c's say about fees.

VisualJohn

"All doctors (as professionals) have their fees displayed on their notice boards"
I come from a medical background and couldn't agree more I have also used solicitors in the past and obviously happily paid them for their services. In this case it was an enquiry. The lawyer in question became angry when I decided not to sue it is something I dont believe in. I will check out there T&C however, my gut is I will loose.

VisualJohn

Seeking final advice. I finally got my invoice from solicitor today in two parts
1st part for the sum of 467.40 euros for his time which in my opinion is fair.
However the second one was for 803.25 euro for the engineering report which was also fair however, I informed my solicitor that I didn't want to proceed with the case on the 11/05/14 but the engineer carried out his survey on the 05/06/14 nearly a month after I cancelled so am I liable for this fee also ? If not how should I reply so as not to continue this matter. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Regards

John

Avns1s

Did you tell the Solicitor in writing that you weren't proceeding on the 11th May? If you did, then I think he had enough time to cancel the engineer. If you can't prove you told him, that's another matter.

Would it be that the report was issued on the 5th June but that the inspection was done some time prior to 11th May? In this case, I would consider that you'd be liable for his costs.

VisualJohn

Unfourtnately I told him verbally on the invoice it states
1. Inspecting accident scene 05.06.14

I have this thread dating back to 12.05.14 though ????

metroburgers

VisualJohn wrote: »

Unfourtnately I told him verbally on the invoice it states
1. Inspecting accident scene 05.06.14

I have this thread dating back to 12.05.14 though ????

Haha, but seriously why not just pursue the claim on a no win no fee basis if you were actually inconvenienced short-term.

VisualJohn wrote: »

Hi about a year a go I slipped on a pier and hurt my shoulder I was thinking about making a claim but decided not to as I dont agree with claims and Im suffering no long term damage

That's all fair enough, but you did contact two solicitors.

VisualJohn

metroburgers wrote: »

Haha, but seriously why not just pursue the claim on a no win no fee basis if you were actually inconvenienced short-term.

Short term yes but in my opinion that's not worthy of a claim its that attitude that is driving up all our insurances

P. Breathnach

Avns1s wrote: »

Did you tell the Solicitor in writing that you weren't proceeding on the 11th May? If you did, then I think he had enough time to cancel the engineer. If you can't prove you told him, that's another matter....

You could balance that with a question about whether the solicitor had written instructions in the first place. And if so, what those instructions were.

VisualJohn

I filled in an online contact form and they ran with it from there. I thought it was a general enquiry

Bepolite

You 'don't agree with claims' but you contacted a solicitor? Rather silly on both counts, no?

Anyway... Contact the Law Society and get them to look into the matter. If the solicitor has gone off with out proper instructions that's their fault.

OP if you're hurt through someone else's negligence then you sue. It's the reason why we don't allow six year olds to get mangled in cotton weaving machines anymore. If you fall over yourself or you suffer no long term damage why waste everyone's time? That said I've even less time for cowboy solicitors.

VisualJohn

Thanks Polite I agree with all you said and I believe in fair play as I am happy to pay his fees as I did contact him. However, not sure the other side is fair.

Bepolite

VisualJohn wrote: »

Thanks Polite I agree with all you said and I believe in fair play as I am happy to pay his fees as I did contact him. However, not sure the other side is fair.

While I might be being a bit harsh towards you a solicitor can't charge in excess of €400 for a bloody web form. Treat a solicitor in exactly the same way you'd treat a plumber - you quote first and if you charge for the quote then you better tell people up front.

Get on to the Law Society, there should have been a letter sent out detailing charges before work started.