I was wondering, if I am suing a corporation that is at obvious fault, do I have to hire an attorney? Can I send them a letter explaining what happened, police reports, proof, receipts, hospital bills and witness statements and ask that we settle it one on one, out of court and no attorneys? Also, if I do send them this information is it legal to tell them I want to go to the media and tell them what happened to me because of the company’s negligence, if they are unwilling to compromise?
2007-09-12 10:45:53 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If the company decides to ignore me or does not want to compromise, can I still hire an attorney?
2007-09-12 11:11:37 · update #1
Not a lawyer..
...But my take on it would be you are allowing them to right a wrong in asking them to pay for their damages.
But threatening to go to the media could be a case for blackmail or extortion. Wouldn't advise that.
2007-09-12 10:55:05 · answer #1 · answered by Jon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can ask, but whether or not you get what you want is another matter.
You can't expect the company not to be represented by an attorney. If it were a real person, like a neighbor, perhaps, but a corporation can't do anything like this without an attorney.
I doubt they will want to deal directly with you. The downside is that they might agree to a settlement for X dollars, which would appear to admit liability even with a disclaimer of fault, and also look like they took advantage of an unrepresented person with a claim worth X,000.
I wouldn't mention the media. It'll sound like a threat, and get everyone's backs up. It's likely that if they are at all inclined to deal with you, this possibility will occur to them.
2007-09-12 11:00:34 · answer #2 · answered by open4one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. Just be careful with your wording. You don't want to make it look like you are exhorting anything from them.
But if you have been wronged, it is perfectly exceptable for you to ask them to fix the problem, if they don't, it is also exceptable to go to the media.
Sometimes complaining works, sometimes it doesn't.
Keep in mind though, if you agree on a solution, say $500. It is very hard to go back and ask for more money if you get a lawyer. So look at any settlements closely before you agree to them.
2007-09-12 11:00:44 · answer #3 · answered by Kenneth C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Problem is if you later decide to hire an attorney what you wrote could be used against you. They will play you with some back and forth and use that as well.
You have to have an attorney. Period.
2007-09-12 12:46:41 · answer #4 · answered by jackson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's worth a shot. The media thing might get them. I'd probably get an attorney though.
2007-09-12 10:54:37 · answer #5 · answered by jigglebelly99 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋