DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY EVEN IF MY INSURER SAYS I DON’T?

The time following an accident can be confusing–and challenging. Whether it’s recovering from a car accident injury, a slip and fall in a public place, or dealing with the aftermath of a workplace injury, there’s a lot to navigate. Suddenly you’re overwhelmed with insurance companies, doctor’s appointments–even surgery and rehabilitation. You might not be able to work–and your family’s well being could be at stake. 

And in the midst of all of this, your insurer might say you don’t need personal legal representation. They might try to convince you to sign a settlement, even if you’re unsure.

But you should know that you have rights–and you have options. You are entitled to personal representation and to be able to have your voice heard. At Castan & Lecca, we represent clients who’ve been silenced by insurance companies and the powers that be–and we make sure that their rights are protected.

So why do you need an attorney, especially if your insurer says you don’t? In this blog we’ll cover the reasons why it’s best to have personal legal representation in a personal injury case. 

 

INSURERS PROTECT THEIR OWN INTERESTS – NOT YOURS

Insurance companies do not always protect your interests; they protect their own. If you’re in a car accident, the insurers will have teams of attorneys to try and find ways to minimize the compensation that they must pay out. This compensation may not ultimately be enough to cover your own expenses, especially if you experience the loss of your car. 

The same goes for going up against hospitals and their insurers if you’re filing a medical malpractice claim. Your injury could be severe enough to warrant surgery, numerous doctors appointments, therapies and extensive recovery time. What’s more, you could be unable to work for a long period of time as you heal. But the insurance pay out just might not be enough.

Insurance companies will stall your case to delay the process, sometimes even pushing it past the statute of limitations period for your claim. Once that period has expired, it makes it impossible for you to file a claim and therefore impossible for you to receive compensation. If the insurance companies have been trying to delay your claims process, don’t wait. Get in touch with us so we can advocate for you.

You should always have a legal counsel present when you sign documents. The reason for this is because the insurance company cannot always be trusted. Remember: They are not working for you.

It’s common for insurance companies to try to get you to sign documentation at the beginning of the process that signs away your rights if you want to pursue legal action in the future. When it comes to dealing with the insurance companies, it’s important for you to have a legal advocate on your side.


WE HAVE THE EXPERIENCE

The personal injury legal process can be quite complex and determining appropriate settlements is an intricate matter. It is strongly recommended that you seek legal counsel before filing any sort of personal injury claim. It’s crucial for you to work with a lawyer who is well-versed in the specific area of practice that’s relevant to your incident, whether it’s a car accident, slip and fall or worker’s compensation. The team at Castan & Lecca has the knowledge and expertise necessary to assist you through this difficult time.

We center our work around three core values: accessibility, trustworthiness and experience. We know these three core elements make up superior legal representation that delivers results. Our legal team has decades of experience in the personal injury field, with numerous certifications and licenses. When it comes to personal injury representation–and going up against insurers who don’t have your best interests at heart–it’s important to have an experienced team representing you.

WE KNOW HOW TO MAXIMIZE COMPENSATION

Insurance companies may want to do two things.They either want to get you to sign away your rights so you cannot pursue legal action in the future, or they want to delay processing your claim for so long that the statute of limitations runs out. If the statute of limitations runs out, then you cannot get the compensation you deserve.

Due to our extensive experience within the field of personal injury law, we know how to navigate your case so that you can get the maximum compensation you deserve. Every case that we represent is unique–and every case is complex. We’re extremely well-versed in how to ensure that our clients’ rights are preserved and that they get the compensation they need for recovery, covering lost wages, and to ensure their family’s wellbeing.

WE KNOW HOW TO GET YOU THE MEDICAL CARE YOU NEED

When it comes to injuries, it’s always crucial to get medical attention immediately following the accident. First and foremost, your health is top priority. Getting immediate medical attention from a healthcare provider ensures that you can get back to your typical way of life as soon as possible.

But on top of physical and mental wellbeing, getting medical attention as soon as possible after an accident is important for documentation of your case. When you file a personal injury or workers’ compensation claim–or even pursue a trial–evidence of your injury is a crucial component to your case. Having documented evidence of the extent of your injury or injuries will be used in filing your claim–and will directly impact how much you receive in compensation.

It might be hard to know what medical resources you can use during the time following an accident, but you should know that when you choose to get legal representation, we can help you navigate the medical documentation process and set you on the right course to recovery.

WE EXPLORE EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR CASE 

Some cases require settlements and others might include mediation or even going to trial–every case is different. But how can you know what’s right for your case? You should consult an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Your attorney will help you decide whether to pursue an insurance settlement or if a lawsuit is necessary. Getting the process started quickly will ensure your rights are preserved.

The discovery, or research, phase of a personal injury claim can last several months to a year. It may involve continued doctor’s appointments for you and logging expenses, as well extensive recovery time. For your attorney, this phase involves gathering information, examining witnesses, securing documentation, and consolidating all the evidence that will be used.

During this time, we use all of our resources–and our experience–to explore every aspect of your case. We pursue every avenue to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you need for your recovery. While you take the time to recover, we get to work!

THE TAKEAWAY 

Being injured in an accident can be stressful, but the aftermath of the accident doesn’t have to be. When you choose to be represented by a personal injury attorney–even if your insurer says you don’t need one–we provide the guidance and experience you need to make sure your wellbeing is intact.

At Castan & Lecca, we are a team of seasoned attorneys who represent our clients’ rights. We explore every aspect of your case, we leverage our decades of experience–we even assist with ensuring you have the right medical resources at your fingertips–all because we want your rights to be preserved and protected. 

If you’ve been injured in an accident, call us today for a free consultation of your case. We want to hear your story.

 

 

 

(864)761-4141

Dustin Thompson

Attorney

Dustin Thompson was raised in rural Camilla, Georgia. Dustin graduated from Georgia Southern University majoring in political science and history. After graduation, Dustin obtained a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta. Before becoming a lawyer, Dustin worked a variety of jobs from a watermelon farm in Mitchell County to a policy think tank in Washington D.C. Dustin has practiced law almost exclusively in the workers’ compensation arena since 2014. For nearly a decade, he worked for a large defense firm in Georgia representing employers and insurers and gaining the invaluable experience and knowledge of how insurers defend claims. In 2023, Dustin joined the firm to use his expertise and litigation skills to help individuals who have been injured as a result of work accidents and third-party negligence.  Dustin has been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” in the practice of workers’ compensation. Outside of work, Dustin enjoys traveling, hunting, and attending sporting events. He and his family are active in Buckhead Church.

MICHAEL BOESCHEN

Attorney

Michael Boeschen (Mike) was born in Wichita, KS and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Mike graduated from The McCallie School and went on to study history, Spanish, and Latin American Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from the University Of Georgia School Of Law. During law school, Mike participated in the Legal Aid Clinic, assisting in the defense of indigent criminal defendants. Mike has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since 2002 and his main practice area consists of representing injured workers as they navigate through the Georgia workers’ compensation system. Mike is also fluent in Spanish. In his spare time Mike enjoys following soccer, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two young daughters. Mike and his family are parishioners of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA

CHRISTIAN PECONE

Attorney

ED DENKER

Attorney

Edward Denker was born in Philadelphia, PA but has made Georgia his home since 1999. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia. Edward spent his first years in practice representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death claims. He then spent more than a decade honing his litigation skills representing employers and insurers in workers’ compensation claims, where he gained immense experience and knowledge of how insurers defend those claims. In 2017, Edward returned to his passion of representing people who have been injured at work or through the negligence of others. When he isn’t working, Edward enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children. He is also an avid sports fan, and enjoys cooking and travel

ILIANA DOBREV

Attorney

Iliana Dobrev was born in Bulgaria. After high school, she immigrated to the United States to study law. She graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s in political science concentrating on pre-law and minoring in Spanish. In 2015, she graduated from Georgia State University College of Law. While in law school, Iliana completed a Graduate Research Assistantship in Labor and Employment Law and Employment Discrimination and two externships in Immigration Law. As an immigrant herself, Iliana is passionate about advocating for and defending immigrants. She is delighted to help families stay together and pursue the American dream. Iliana is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and worked in both a fellowship and a firm specializing in immigration law. Iliana is fluent in Bulgarian and Spanish
castan&lecca-iliana-bio

KEN THAXTON

Attorney

Ken Thaxton was born and raised in Roberta, GA. When Ken was a child, his father started a trucking business, which Ken ultimately spent over ten years working with through his late teens and twenties. Ken graduated from Houston County High School in Warner Robins, GA in 2001 with a 4.0 GPA. He then studied Business and Information Technology at Macon State College, ultimately graduating with a 4.0 GPA in 2004. After graduation, Ken continued to work with his father’s trucking company, and in late 2005, Ken and his father started an aircraft charter company, Southern Jet, Inc., under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Ken served as President of Southern Jet from 2006 until 2010, when he and his father sold the company. Ken is a Commercially Licensed Instrument, Multi-Engine Pilot. While serving as President of Southern Jet, Ken started Law School at the University of Georgia School of Law in 2009. Ken focused primarily on business and civil law, including Workers’ Compensation, while at UGA. He graduated Cum Laude and in the top 25% of his class from UGA Law in 2012. Ken is a licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia, and he is also a licensed neutral (mediator) in the State of Georgia. Ken represents small businesses in transactional matters and business conflicts, and he also represents injured workers and Plaintiffs injured in cases of negligence. During his spare time, Ken enjoys swimming, cycling, sporting clays, and fishing. He also does charity work with a national scholarship fund
castan&lecca-ken-bio

ALEXANDER LECCA

Attorney

Alexander Lecca (Alex) was born in Miami, Florida to immigrant parents from Cuba and Peru. Alex graduated from Coral Gables High School, where he was a recipient of the Elsa Glazer Award (given to students who graduate with a 3.5 GPA and above). He went on to study marketing at the University of Miami School of Business Administration. At the University of Miami he was also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. In law school, Alex received several book awards and graduated Cum Laude. During law school Alex clerked for the Honorable Beth Bloom, had an internship with the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s office, and clerked for a prestigious litigation law firm. Alex is licensed to practice law in both Georgia and Florida and handles workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. He is also a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Alex is also fluent in Spanish. During his spare time, Alex enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and four children. He also helps coach his children’s baseball, football, basketball, and soccer teams. Alex and his family are parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church

DANIEL CASTAN 

Attorney

Dan Castan is a senior partner at Castan and Lecca, PC in Buckhead and represents injured workers before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation and plaintiffs in State and Superior Courts of Georgia for injuries suffered in accidents. Dan litigated one of the seminal claims securing the rights of undocumented workers to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits in the state of Georgia when injured in the case of Wet Walls, Inc. vs. Ledesma. Dan has successfully fought and settled multi million dollar cases. He was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to immigrant parents from Cuba. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and received his Juris Doctor from The Washington College of Law at The American University in Washington D.C.  Dan was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November, 1993.  He is an active member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Dan is a founding member and Director of the Latino Victory Fund Georgia and serves on the Board of The Latin American Association. Dan has been dedicated to getting Latinos elected to local, state and Federal offices in Georgia. He has been a Big Brother through Big Brothers and Sisters of Metro Atlanta and a mentor through The Latin American Association’s mentor/mentee program. Dan is married with two children.