Medical Bills will be GONE!!!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Medical Bills will be GONE!!!!!!
16
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 1:11pm
I hate to admit to myself that I did this. I actually took someone to court sued them. I don't really like the idea of lawsuits unless they are really really necessary. I my case it kinda was, but I still feel bad about it.

A couple years ago I had a beach house for the summer that I was renting with my college roomates. My neighbor had a habit of slipping girls date rape drugs. I didn't know this at the time and unwittingly became one of those girls. He gave me a little too much and instead of falling unconsious or forgetting everything, I fell into a coma and stopped breathing. I got to take a helicopter ride to the local hospital. I woke up totally fine, but with over 40K in medical debt. And that's what charity care didn't cover. I got to pay it off monthly (450$/month) with no interest. The guy was convicted and went to jail, only for a short time though. I was still kinda mad that I was responsible for the medical bills (even though I wasn't responsible enough to know not to accept a drink from someone I didn't know).

I mentioned a whlie back that I found a lawyer who would take the case and I wouldn't have to pay him unless I won. Well today was my court date. I WON!!!

I could have sued for a lot more. I just wanted to pay my medical bills and the lawyer. The judge awarded me 60K, which is more than enough to pay the medical bills and the lawyer and have some left over (possibly a huge snowball).

Today was a very good day....but I still feel kinda icky for suing somebody. I want to pay my some of my debt off with the extra money, but I feel weird about it. It kinda feels like cheating.

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Fri, 10-08-2004 - 9:42am
Ok I figured out how much I will be left over after I pay off the laywer fees, court costs and medical bills. I 'm left with $8529.10. I could do a lot of things with the money. I could pay off all my credit cards and have a nice emergency fund. I make a dent in one of my student loans. I could pay for a year of car insurance.....the list is so long.

But I've decided not to do any of that. I sued that boy ONLY to pay off the medical bills, not to pay off my car insurance, credit card debt, or my student loans. My debt was created by me, so I kinda feel responsible to pay it off myself. Once my CC's are paid off, I'll feel better knowing that I paid them off all by myself.

I think I'm going to send some (maybe a 1000$ or 2000$) to the MS Society. My mother has a malignant form of MS and had recently been placed in a nursing home. This is a cause that is important to me personally so I'll feel better about taking the money if I can do something good with at least some of it.

I'm planning on investing the rest. I don't know exactly where yet, but I want it to be put somewhere where I can't touch it for a long time.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Fri, 10-08-2004 - 10:10am
Please don't you dare feel bad about suing that creep!! These sickos need to get the message that they will be punished! I would have taken him for everything he had--- you could have DIED!! That's attempted homicide- whether you knew him or not. People we don't know give us drinks all of the time ....waitresses, bartenders, party hosts etc, but NORMAL people don't drug drinks!!!! He is a sick pervert! I'm sorry for what happened to you, please don't feel guilty. Nicki
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Fri, 10-08-2004 - 10:48am
That sounds like a smart, well thought out plan. I think there is an investing board here somewhere.

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2003
Fri, 10-08-2004 - 8:56pm
Do not for one more minute take his crime and allow it to turn into emotional thoughts that are not good for you to have and it is not your guilt to own!

You are fortunate that you survived your experience and the VERY LEAST that creep can do is to compensate you finanically for the bills you incurred because of him.

I think that you have a good plan with the money and I wish you only the best!

Kassandra

Kassandra

"It is said that life has its peaks and valleys.  The challenge is to accept them equally and experience them

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2004
Fri, 10-08-2004 - 10:24pm
I wouldn't feel bad about sueing him. He was very unethical and he should be responsible for your medical bills. I'm glad you won. I'm sorry you had to go through that.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2004
Mon, 10-11-2004 - 6:27pm
First off, thank you for your reply to my post earlier today - I recognized your story & it's nice to know that someone my age is dealing with the same issues.

Secondly, congradulations on winning your suit in court today. I bet that was a huge ordeal and something you're probably happy to have behind you. You shouldn't feel bad at all about what happened though. You were taken advantage of and people like that should have to give more then what he lost today.

Use that money wisely, I know you will! Thanks again, Meghan

Pages