Which courthouse to do I have to go to, to look up these records?

Question

I got hit by a pickup about 14 years ago (I was about 7 y/o then) and took the guy who hit me to court to sue him over it. And now I found out that I really got more money (about 9-10 times as much) then I orginally thought I had. And I'd like to find the paper to find out exactly how much money I really got out of the settlement, and who paid what bills and stuff like that. My question is, could I go to my local courthouse to find that stuff or would I have to go to the county courthouse to find it and get copies? I don't wanna do anything online. Rather do it in person so I know what papers I need and what I don't need, and to see if theres any papers I didn't think of that I might need. Any help would be great.

Any free websites where I can look this stuff up.

Answer 1

First of all, at the age of 7 you could not sue, so a parent, legal guardian would have had to file on your behalf.

You would have to find out who filed on your behalf, take them with you in order for any paperwork to be release to the original courthouse where the hearing and judgement took place.

It would be really hard to find the exact total that was actually paid, because court documentation does not show what was paid back to the insurance company (the ones who originally paid the medical bills and were later reimbursed by the settlement).

If there was a personal settlement made to where you were to receive a certain amount of money, because you were a minor that was supposed to be placed into an account that only you could open and tap into at the age of maturity (which is 18 if you are in college or 21 if not in college). That account would have accrued interest over the years, which makes it even more difficult to calculate the sum in which you were paid.

Now, if you do find out that money was supposed to be paid to you in behalf of the person who filed and there is not an account open that contains the settlement, you could sue that person who was to be responsible for the sum of money plus the interest rate at that time when it should have been opened. Which the formula would look like this as an example:

$1,500 (paid to you) + (4.5% interest x 14 years) = $10, 950

That is just an example. I have a BS degree in criminal justice and have been a private investigator for years now.

Hope this helps you out some!

Answer 2

The court records, including all pleadings and depositions, if any, should be in the office of the clerk of the civil courts (in Pennsylvania, it is the Prothonotary's Office). You will be able to read everything because it is a matter of public record.

Any lawsuits involving minors are typically brought by parents or guardians on behalf of minor children. Any amount of settlement, at least in Pennsylvania, is subject to court approval. In Pennsylvania, the proceeds are deposited with a court-appointed guardian [if it is a large sum] or in a "sequestered savings account" -- a savings account which, under court order may be marked "no withdrawals before age 21 unless by Order of Court."

You must remember that personal injury lawsuits are typically brought by attorneys who handle them under a contingent fee agreement. That means when the attorneys win, they get a percentage of the judgement as their compensation. The attorneys fees might run 1/4 to 1/3 of the value of the case, and sometimes more if it is a small case. In Pennsylvania, contingent fee arrangements involving minor children must be approved by the court.

Once you know the history of the case, the amount of the court award, the amount of allowed attorneys fees, and where the amount of judgement was deposited, you are only partly done. You also need to consider whether any medical providers were also paid out of the judgement award. Even if your parent had Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage, there is a concept of "subrogation" where the insurance company is entitled to be reimbursed out of the award for what they paid the doctor and hospital for your care.

Court documents will also indicate whether any amounts were advanced out of the award to your parents or guardian on your behalf.

Good luck reviewing documents.

Answer 3

The terms of a settlement aren't usually part of a public record of a court case. Try the local county clerk's office; they can get you to the right office, but I'm betting you'll need to get an accounting from the atty who handled the suit for you.

Answer 4

Go to your county court house, the people at the clerk of courts office will direct you to where you need to find your paperwork.

Answer 5

Statute of Limitations on this is 7 years. Most records will be unavailable for your research.

Answer 6

first of all who was your legal guardian at the time and where was a trust fund set up? otherwise check with the court that handled your case.

Answer 7

It would be in the County Records.

Answer 8

Hi,
You can use http://governmentrecords.co.nr , to check all backgrounds records , its a great site,

Hope this helps you

Answer 9

Any. =)