#1 ·
Where to even begin...
Two years ago, some jerk in a Ford F-150 absolutely wrecked me. I barely made it out alive. I haven't worked since, and by some miracle, I don't have permanent disabilities—though doctors kept insisting I’d be "limited," whatever that means.
Now, I get flooded with letters from various law firms, all looking to sue this "lucky guy" who totaled my life, hoping I might actually see some financial relief after everything.
I've spent a lifetime on the road without a single accident to my name, so I decided to go with a firm out of a small town near Paris (please, moderators, don't delete their name; they've been mentioned before, and clearly, there's nothing good to say about them) located in Washington, D.C.
They promised me the moon and the stars. Personally, I just wanted to get healthy and get back to work, but that wasn't happening.
They harassed me with endless paperwork. I dragged myself to their office at least a dozen times, clutching all the required documents, looking like a wreck and feeling even worse.
I signed a power of attorney, letting them handle the case. I called them constantly during those 3-to-6-week intervals to check on progress. They always gave me the same line: it's a complex case, it takes time. That is, unless it was one of those ten times where I was "brushed off" because the lawyer was supposedly in court.
Even then, I had a sinking feeling they were just playing me, but fine, I had nothing but time.
I kept checking in, and eventually, they told me part of the hearing was done and they could release about 11 $0.00..
Of course, once they take their cut and pay the legal fees, I’ll be left with less than a thousand dollars.
When I signed the papers, they asked if I wanted a faster process for a 10% fee, or if I wanted to wait longer for a 15% fee because the total settlement would be much higher.
I opted for the larger amount. It was supposed to be 89 $0.00. Honestly, I couldn't fathom why anyone would give me that much money, but I guess that's how it works; I've heard stories about these massive payouts.
The deadline was the start of the next year, 2010, when the payout would happen.
Naturally, the calls stopped coming. When I call them, they tell me they already paid me out and that we're finished.👎
I was left standing there, stunned and utterly confused about what to do next. Then, a notice arrives at my house: court costs of about $600, which were supposed to be deducted from my principal settlement. Obviously, that didn't happen.
So, what now?
To be honest, I don't care about the associates at that firm. It's the owner I'm looking at. He drives a luxury car and rents an entire floor in downtown Washington, D.C., all at the expense of people like me.
It doesn't work that way. I'm only 25, and I've accumulated more debt than I can believe, even though I've never borrowed a dime for anything frivolous in my life.
I bought my first pair of Nike sneakers with my own money because my parents wouldn't buy them; everything I own, I earned. I don't have much, but I'm not a materialist. I've achieved everything I set out to do. I was a hard worker—until the accident.
My health has deteriorated to the point where I'm stuck on various pills just to stay stable, but how can anyone stay sane under these conditions?!
All I have left is to take what remains of my father's "war trophies"—and we all know what kind of people carry those—and simply head over there and start shooting.
Whatever. This isn't life. I'm not looking to steal from anyone else.
At 25, when I should be in my prime, I'm stuck at home staring at a computer screen, jobless, stagnant, miserable, and pathetic. I should be providing for my family and making sure my mother doesn't have to work anymore. I am the one who can, wants to, and intends to... but how??
Yesterday, I got a call from the IRS. Apparently, I never officially closed a business I haven't owned in six years. It was a tiny venture that failed after eight months, so I sold it and shut it down. Now, six years later, they're calling me to say I owe 200.$0.00 Even if I have to shut down my LLC..
Look, I settled all that years ago. I tossed the paperwork aside a lifetime ago and honestly, I don't even know where it ended up. It all goes back to them anyway..
Even if I land a new job, every cent of my paycheck will just be funneled straight to them. At least, that’s what the woman told me with a big, fake smile after she processed it.
As it stands, I’m popping tranquilizers today just to keep from losing my mind, but clearly, that isn't working.
I'm no genius and I'm losing my grip. I don't care anymore; they screwed me over, and I'll return the favor in kind. Besides, prison is meant for people.
Two years ago, some jerk in a Ford F-150 absolutely wrecked me. I barely made it out alive. I haven't worked since, and by some miracle, I don't have permanent disabilities—though doctors kept insisting I’d be "limited," whatever that means.
Now, I get flooded with letters from various law firms, all looking to sue this "lucky guy" who totaled my life, hoping I might actually see some financial relief after everything.
I've spent a lifetime on the road without a single accident to my name, so I decided to go with a firm out of a small town near Paris (please, moderators, don't delete their name; they've been mentioned before, and clearly, there's nothing good to say about them) located in Washington, D.C.
They promised me the moon and the stars. Personally, I just wanted to get healthy and get back to work, but that wasn't happening.
They harassed me with endless paperwork. I dragged myself to their office at least a dozen times, clutching all the required documents, looking like a wreck and feeling even worse.
I signed a power of attorney, letting them handle the case. I called them constantly during those 3-to-6-week intervals to check on progress. They always gave me the same line: it's a complex case, it takes time. That is, unless it was one of those ten times where I was "brushed off" because the lawyer was supposedly in court.
Even then, I had a sinking feeling they were just playing me, but fine, I had nothing but time.
I kept checking in, and eventually, they told me part of the hearing was done and they could release about 11 $0.00..
Of course, once they take their cut and pay the legal fees, I’ll be left with less than a thousand dollars.
When I signed the papers, they asked if I wanted a faster process for a 10% fee, or if I wanted to wait longer for a 15% fee because the total settlement would be much higher.
I opted for the larger amount. It was supposed to be 89 $0.00. Honestly, I couldn't fathom why anyone would give me that much money, but I guess that's how it works; I've heard stories about these massive payouts.
The deadline was the start of the next year, 2010, when the payout would happen.
Naturally, the calls stopped coming. When I call them, they tell me they already paid me out and that we're finished.👎
I was left standing there, stunned and utterly confused about what to do next. Then, a notice arrives at my house: court costs of about $600, which were supposed to be deducted from my principal settlement. Obviously, that didn't happen.
So, what now?
To be honest, I don't care about the associates at that firm. It's the owner I'm looking at. He drives a luxury car and rents an entire floor in downtown Washington, D.C., all at the expense of people like me.
It doesn't work that way. I'm only 25, and I've accumulated more debt than I can believe, even though I've never borrowed a dime for anything frivolous in my life.
I bought my first pair of Nike sneakers with my own money because my parents wouldn't buy them; everything I own, I earned. I don't have much, but I'm not a materialist. I've achieved everything I set out to do. I was a hard worker—until the accident.
My health has deteriorated to the point where I'm stuck on various pills just to stay stable, but how can anyone stay sane under these conditions?!
All I have left is to take what remains of my father's "war trophies"—and we all know what kind of people carry those—and simply head over there and start shooting.
Whatever. This isn't life. I'm not looking to steal from anyone else.
At 25, when I should be in my prime, I'm stuck at home staring at a computer screen, jobless, stagnant, miserable, and pathetic. I should be providing for my family and making sure my mother doesn't have to work anymore. I am the one who can, wants to, and intends to... but how??
Yesterday, I got a call from the IRS. Apparently, I never officially closed a business I haven't owned in six years. It was a tiny venture that failed after eight months, so I sold it and shut it down. Now, six years later, they're calling me to say I owe 200.$0.00 Even if I have to shut down my LLC..
Look, I settled all that years ago. I tossed the paperwork aside a lifetime ago and honestly, I don't even know where it ended up. It all goes back to them anyway..
Even if I land a new job, every cent of my paycheck will just be funneled straight to them. At least, that’s what the woman told me with a big, fake smile after she processed it.
As it stands, I’m popping tranquilizers today just to keep from losing my mind, but clearly, that isn't working.
I'm no genius and I'm losing my grip. I don't care anymore; they screwed me over, and I'll return the favor in kind. Besides, prison is meant for people.