Charges          

 

Charges are made in quarter (1/4) hour increments and include time spent for clients during office consultations, review of medical records and other material, research, preparation of reports, telephone consultations, testifying at depositions, hearings and trials, and travel time to and from the office.  The expert cannot guarantee total fees.  Billing will depend on the amount of time spent on the case and other expenses.  Fee schedule includes a second review by a partner Legal Nurse Consultant.

 

Fees

• The CLNC’s time to review case materials, preparation for deposition, hearings, arbitration and/or trial, office consultations, travel time………………………………………............................................$300/hr

• The CLNC’s retainer………………………………………………………………..$1000

• The CLNC’s time for testifying at deposition……………………………………...$1000/hr

• The CLNC’s time for testifying at hearings, arbitration or trial……………………$1000/hr

      (plus preparation and travel time at $300/hr)

 

Rates are subject to change.  Charges are based upon the prevailing fee schedule when the work is performed.

 

Payment of Fees

 

Payment of any court appearance or deposition fee is due in full seven days prior to the trial appearance date.  Any balance owed will be billed following the trial.  Payment of any remaining unpaid invoices and expenses, plus the court appearance fee, is to be received in full seven days prior to the CLNC’s court or deposition appearance.  An invoice for court appearance expenses (such as mileage, parking, and meals) will be sent following the appearance at trial or deposition.  In the event that the case settles before the CLNC leaves for court or deposition, any fees will be refunded.

 

Invoices

 

Invoices will be sent periodically to clients, and are due immediately upon receipt.  Failure to make payment of invoices shall constitute a default of our agreement.  Any questions pertaining to billing must be put in writing and postmarked no more than ten business days after the date of such billing, after which time the billing will be considered correct and payable as billed.  Outstanding balances over 30 days are subject to an interest charge of 1.5% per month each month until paid.  The CLNC, without liability, may withhold delivery of reports, and may suspend performance of his/her obligation to a client pending full payment of all charges.

 

Retainers

 

For all matters, a $1000 retainer fee and a signed fee schedule and/or a retaining letter are required.  Billing will be charged against the retainer.  It should be noted that we reserve the right, at its discretion, to require a retainer from its clients for any anticipated or requested work beyond the work covered by the initial retainer fee.  We reserve the right to modify the amount of the retainer.  Please make check payable to Filger Sheehan & Sheehan, LLC and forward directly to our office.

 

Responsibilities for Payment

 

Billing is not contingent upon the findings and/or conclusions reached.  Responsibility for payment is that of the client engaging the CLNC’s services and is not contingent upon the client’s contractual agreement(s) with plaintiff/defendant/insurance company and/or case status.  The client is responsible for paying the fees even if the outcome of the case is not favorable.  As a convenience, we may agree to prepare separate invoices for testifying at a deposition.  Responsibility for payment of any fees associated with the deposition remains that of the client.  Responsibility for the notification of settlement of a matter is that of the engaging client.  All charges incurred to the time of notification will be billed.  Lack of notification will not obviate charges incurred even when disbursements related to this matter have been made.  Failure to include a billable item in an invoice shall not constitute a waiver of the right to add the charge to a subsequent billing.

In the event that it becomes necessary for Filger Sheehan & Sheehan to retain an attorney or collection agency for collecting outstanding fees or any other breach of this agreement, the client agrees to pay Filger Sheehan & Sheehan’s reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred in enforcing his/her rights under this agreement.  A 30% surcharge will be added to the outstanding balance if a collection agency becomes involved in the collections process.

 

Expenses

 

Including, but not limited to:

• Travel: Automobile expenses are billed at $0.40 per mile plus tolls and parking charges.  Airfare, train fare, lodging, etc. are to be paid in full seven days in advance.  Meals are billed as incurred, when time away from office exceeds four hours.

• Telephone, document reproduction, supplies, and delivery costs (Federal Express, courier, and other expenses): As incurred.

 

Modifications to the Agreement

 

All modifications must be agreed to and confirmed in writing.