Exaggerated legal fees when you have mental health problems

Hi there

@Alfas

Gosh sounds like a real ordeal. I feel for you to be slugged with such high fees. I just wanted to let you know I made a slight edit to your post. I took out the name of the law firm as our guidelines don't allow this. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll help.

I hope someone can offer some support.

Take care

Hanami

Hi @Alfas

That seems like a lot of money & really stressful to deal with especially if you are exhausted by your mental health condition. Were you informed of the cost before you started with the lawyer, did you have a cost agreement for a set rate/hr?

Maybe this fact sheet could help: https://www.choice.com.au/shopping/shopping-for-services/services/articles/legal-fees

There were 2 solicitor firms:

Number 1 - they have cost agreement with the list of different items and their costs. Unfortunately, I had no clue what it will be. As a safety net they give 33% warranty, but there are the ways how they will exaggerate. They estimated costs of $60,000, but have not done their job and give bill of $183,000.

Number 2 - cost agreement was hourly based for estimate of $60,000. Maybe 30% done, but legal bill for $70,000.

There is a process to go though supreme court cost assessment, but due to my PTSD I am likely to repeat the same mistakes while navigating it.

https://www.supremecourt.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pages/sco2_practiceprocedure/sco2_costsassessment/sco2_costsassessment.aspx

OMG @Alfas , those fees are insane! Am so sorry you are going through this!

You might want to edit your post (top right button on the post) to take out the names of the law firms, as these are not permitted due to the anonymity rule. This is to keep us all safe.

An important forum tip is if you type @ and then click on a name in the drop-down box, that person will get a notification and won't miss your reply.

@Alfas

Are you able to get someone to support you as you navigate the supreme court cost assessment process? It sounds like you are able to understand what you need to do, but that it is really overwhelming, so it may be helpful to be able to go through it with someone. They can help you deal with the stress of the process, as well as being an extra set of eyes to read through and process all the relevant legal documents & help you advocate for what you need. Do you have a family member or friend who might be a good support for you in this? Or could you engage a support worker or social worker to assist?

@CrazyChick

I tried to find case worker or support worker for a long time, but with no success. Unfortunately, I am originally not from Australia. So, all my family is overseas. Over time I lost contact with friends, so not it would be difficult to find the help going though cost assessments. I was hoping to find someone who went through same or similar experience.

It has been 5 months since my previous post. I am still dealing with exaggerated fees and struggling with PTSD. I am going through EMDR treatment. It is helping.

I had to learn a lot after I got injured and I wish someone told me about it. However, I was not able to find this information, so I am back to writing my story and things I have learned and this time it is going to stay!

I hope next injured person can read my story, find useful information and avoid so much suffering I went through needlessly, that could have been easier if I only had right information.