Common Occurrences & Resolutions
This
section is provided in order to introduce our members to some of the
commonalties that exist with the legal system. Many of our members have
never used the legal system and as such occurrences that are common
to some are foreign to most. Below is a list of common occurrences and
resolutions.
Remember that many problems experienced by our members are simply miscommunications
between them and the attorney's office. If you are unable to work a
problem out on your own, we invite you to call Legal Club of America®
for an immediate solution. You can reach Customer Services at (800)
305-6816, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-8:00pm EST.
Why has my attorney not called me back?
This is a very common occurrence. Attorneys are often
in deposition or court and as such they may not call back for two or
three days. In order to remedy this, the HR Director should ask the
employee when they called the attorney and whether or not they have
a court date in the next 2-3 days. If so, the employee should call LCOA
for immediate intervention and/or reassignment.
Why
does the attorney or individual answering the phone say they have never
heard of Legal Club of America® or that they do not know if they are
a part of the program?
This problem is generally
a misunderstanding as a result of a new secretary answering the phone.
In addition, many attorneys, like doctors, are part of several plans
and as such they sometimes forget the names of all of them, or the fee
structure involved. Simply call Legal Club of America® for immediate
intervention and/or reassignment.
I believe the attorney assigned to me is too far away.
This is generally not a problem at all. Members need
to understand that most legal care can be handled over the phone, by
fax or email. If you need to visit the attorney, a one-hour drive to
save thousands of dollars, once or twice a year is well worth it. This
is truly a case of not being familiar with the legal system. Unlike
doctors, who must look at you for treatment, the same is not the case
with attorneys. If a local attorney is not available and is needed for
a court matter, the Legal Club of America legal staff will scout the
area to recruit one. In the mean time, the member can call the attorney
assigned for counseling and services.
The attorney is not following the fee schedule.
Attorneys are often part of several plans and as such
they confuse fee schedules. First, make sure that you identify yourself
as a Legal Club member. If the fee schedule is still not followed, call
us immediately so that we can intervene, reeducate the attorney and
get things moving in the right direction. If the attorney is not cooperative
we will immediately reassign you to another attorney. Our Legal Department
professionally manages our nationwide network of attorneys and every
quarter "Professionalism Checks" are performed on all of our attorneys.
This communication helps to maintain the attorney's awareness of your
exclusive fee schedule as a Legal Club member.
The attorney was not nice.
Unfortunately, attorneys can be abrasive. This is not
always true but it does happen. Realize that this aggressive and perhaps
intimidating attitude may also play to your advantage if it comes time
for that attorney to represent you in whatever capacity you require.
My Plan attorney won't take my case.
Accepting a case is left to the personal judgement
of the attorney. The attorney may determine that the case lacks merit
in which case, they are truly trying to save the member the time and
money of pursuing a potential losing case. In addition, the attorney
may be too busy to give the member the time and care they require. In
either situation, members should call Legal Club of America® and request
another attorney. They may use as many plan member attorneys as they
like. Results with the next attorney could differ.
Communications
Remember that the majority of perceived problems are
usually miscommunications between the member and the attorney's office.
A call to Legal Club of America® can always solve this. Follow the guidelines
above and first try to solve any problems on your own. However, when
in doubt or if your problem persists, call Customer Services at (800)
305-6816, Monday through Friday 9:00am-8:00pm EST. |