If you want a lawyer who keeps you informed, answers your questions and respects your requests. I would look elsewhere. Rachel Fitzgerald from Fitzgerald and Bomier has the worst customer service I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.
After being injured at work (I had back surgery as a result). I hired Rachel Fitzgerald to represent me. I was worried that I shouldn't hire a lawyer because once the case was settled I feared I would end up owing money. After all, once she got her expenses 1st, then her 20%, then I paid my insurance company back, out of the remaining amount, I would owe money, because you can't get pain and suffering. But I was told uncontested amounts and doctor bills are not considered when lawyers take their 20%. I was also told that workers comp would probably deny, they always do. So I hired her.
She seemed very nice, caring and receptive when I first spoke with her, even returning my call almost immediately to answer more questions. However that all changed the minute I signed the contract with her. After the contract was signed it was like pulling teeth to get any answers. And when I did get hold of her she constantly interrupted me instead of listening to my concerns.
She was my lawyer for approximately 16 months and I can count the number of times I spoke with her on one hand. And believe it or not, the case is over but I never once, met her. Her way of keeping me updated was to send me correspondence in the mail, (usually a copy of something I was sent by someone else already) no explanation as to what it was or what it meant. As for other communication, there was none, if I called her I only got to speak to one of her assistants, rarely ever her. (unless I got mad and demanded it, then it was as if I was putting her out, to have to waste her time with me).
On top of bad communication, she did not respect my requests. I had asked for things to be emailed, not sent via usps, (I live in a small town and didn't want everyone knowing my business) this was NOT done.
Turned out workers comp did pay my medical bills, without a fight and paid me a little additional money, after the doctor said I was at end of care and would never get better. Anyway I had already hired Rachel Fitzgerald and she did get me a little more, and I guess she did okay, after all she has a stake in getting me as much as possible, however with permanent restrictions, I'm not sure she didn't take the easy way out and excepted a lower amount instead of fighting in court.
Anyway, once I signed the deal they stopped paying me the portion they had already said they were going to give me, saying it was wrapped in my final settlement. I was unaware this would be done (my fault, I guess I should've known). However I don't think Rachel should have gotten her 20% out of that portion. (which she did). It wasn't a lot but it is the principle of it.
And one last thing. When we neared the end of the case, I sent an email asking that they try to keep expenses down and not request another statement from every doctor or clinic I went to, as I had not seen one in months, so there would be none. Guess what... they did anyway, on my statement showing what expenses were incurred. There it was another $112 charged to me for asking for doctor bills, that I had already told them "did not exist"
So to sum things up, If you want a lawyer who keeps you updated, doesn't run expenses up, and follows your directions (after all your supposed to be her boss) I would stay away from Rachel Fitzgerald from Fitzgerald and Bomier.
Thank God workers comp, didn't contest the medical bills or I would be owing money on top of now being permanently disabled. read more
