Irene Gabo on Davidzon Radio – 10/08/2018
Irene H Gabo joined Natasha Bystritskaya for the first Q&A segment about personal injury and medical malpractice on the popular “Good Morning” show on Davidzon Radio 620AM.
Listen to the Broadcast:
Q&A Transcript
What is the most important things to do in a hit and run accident?
Get the license plate of the vehicle that hit you. If the vehicle drove away before you got the information, go the police precinct right away, and report the accident within 24 hours. If you are taken by ambulance to the hospital, ask the medical personnel at the hospital to call the nearby police precinct, so police officers can come to the hospital and take your statement.
24 hour reporting to the police is crucial in a hit and run accident.
Is it important where I treat, or do I just go anywhere close to me?
You want to make sure that you get comprehensive treatment by experienced and caring medical professionals. A lot of patients find it easiest to treat at a facility with specialists, such as orthopedists, neurologists, and physical therapists on staff.
To me, it is also important what is the facility’s record with insurance companies. Are there complaints against the treating doctors, previous lawsuits, fraud investigations, etc.? If there is negative history associated with the facility, the insurance companies would likely have a record, and it’s important to go to a reputable facility to not only get the best treatment, but to forego insurance company investigations into your treatment, amount of visits, medical supplies received, etc.
I have a deposition coming up in my case, how do I prepare for it?
Best answer I can give is thoroughly.
Your deposition is one of the most important parts of the case. Defense counsel want to know what kind of impression the client makes. Does he or she appear honest and sincere? They are looking to see how you will appear to the jury if the case comes to trial. After the depositions, defense counsel then advises the insurance adjuster on the case about how it went, and the settlement or trial will be affected by your testimony.
Therefore, I don’t believe in 5-10 minute preparation over the phone. My clients will come in and spend at least an hour with me before the deposition date to thoroughly prepare, so there are few surprises. We’ll go over photos, accident descriptions, injuries, and treatment. The day of the deposition, before we start, I’ll also spend time reiterating what we previously discussed so the important things to look out for are clear in the client’s mind.
If I have Medicare, can I still have a case if I was hurt?
Medicare reporting is mandatory by plaintiff’s counsel. A plaintiff’s attorney cannot ignore reporting to Medicare if the client is a Medicare recipient.
However, the good thing about Medicare is that: 1) they can only get back what they paid out for the injuries sustained in the accident, not for unrelated medical treatment; 2) we work with Medicare to negotiate their conditional liens down once the case is settled, to lower it even further; and 3) clients do not lose Medicare once the case is settled and the Medicare lien is paid, if any. The benefits are not affected.
I received a letter from Medicaid after I received a settlement check that I am being taken off Medicaid and public assistance, what do I do?
The letter gives you time to appeal the decision, usually 60 days, but it would state the time on the letter. So most importantly, you must respond within the time allowed, disagree with the decision, and ask for a hearing.
Medicaid and other public assistance programs allow recipients to pay for “necessities” out of the settlement money and still remain on the program. At the hearing, you will need to produce proof of these necessity expenditures. For example, money can be spent on burial funds, burial plots, household goods and personal effects, and the home you live in, including repairs.
Irene H. Gabo is a dedicated personal injury attorney based in Brooklyn, specializing in a wide range of personal injury cases. With over a decade of experience, she has successfully represented thousands of clients who have suffered injuries from motor vehicle accidents, construction incidents, dog bites, and medical malpractice. Known for her expertise and commitment, Ms. Gabo has recovered millions of dollars for her clients, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in Brooklyn, reach out to Irene for a free consultation and expert guidance on your personal injury claim.
