Q/A Archives

Q/A Categories

Hurt by the ambulance company? Can you sue in Alabama?

by | Sep 17, 2024 | LawCall Q&A | 0 comments

Question:  We called the ambulance service, and instead of helping me, they made my injury worse. They used a stretcher that flipped over. Now my back is hurt with 3 ruptured discs.

BILL:  This is one heck of a case. I mean, there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

From what you said, the ambulance service is obviously negligent. As a result, you are entitled to compensation for your medical bills, your pain and suffering, your future medical bills, and your future pain and suffering. Yes, you seem to have a heck of a case.

Here is my first piece of advice: Don’t speak to the ambulance company or their insurance company. But do talk to a lawyer. Now, I am not the guy who thinks you have to run to a lawyer with every little thing, but this is a serious case.

In reality, you may have many different law firms fighting for your attention. But you need to find a trustworthy firm and talk with them. That conversation is usually free.

Do it immediately. There is nothing gained by waiting and a lot to lose. You will be surprised how quickly evidence can disappear, and witnesses forget exactly what happened.

Focus on the big picture. You need to get better and not waste time dealing with the ambulance company or their insurance group. By the way, they will try to give you as little money as possible, and you need someone to fight them full-time.

From my years of experience, the usual pattern is for them to say, “We are so sorry and want to make things right. We will try to get you some money immediately because you need it.” The companies will come to your house … and even to the hospital … and try to get you to sign your rights away. Remember, once you accept an offer, that is it … forever. You will never get one more dime.

Yes, it might look like a big, nice, fancy check and, at first, a lot of money. But your case might be worth 100 times that.

The law can be tricky depending on who owns the ambulance company. Governments have some exemptions that private companies do not. As I said, talk to a lawyer. You do not want to mess this up.

CALL BILL

Injured? You can call Bill directly at 251-255-5000. He will talk to you for free.

NBC 15 LawCall, our Sunday night legal information TV show, is on hiatus during football season, but we will see you after the first of the year.