Document text
48 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, October 21, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 4, 2004 Insurance involved in personal injury cases I recently served on a jury for a civil case involving a car crash. But I have a few lingering questions that we weren’t allowed to ask the judge. In a jury trial, does an insurance company pay for the defendant’s attorney? How about expert witnesses for the defendant? When the court finds for the claimant, is there a formula to decide what percentage the attorney gets? — Nora H., Medford The simple answer to your first two questions is "yes" because there’s virtually no chance that a personal injury case goes to trial without an insurance company’s involvement, said Tom Petersen of the Medford law firm Black, Chapman, Webber & Stevens. Insured drivers typically are covered in court if sued following an accident. In such cases, the defendant’s insurance provider pays for both the defense attorney and expert witnesses for the defense, Petersen said. Advertisement Insurance also typically pays damages and court costs, Petersen added. Attorney fees are determined either by an hourly rate or a contractual percentage agreed upon by the lawyer and client. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities