ROBERT L's complaint:
June 03, 2013

Insurance Company: State Farm Insurance
Coverage Type: Auto/Boat/Motorcycle

• Claim Handling - Rude/Abusive Adjuster
• Claim Handling - Delays upon Delays
• Claim Handling - Unsatisfactory Settlement/Offer
• Claim Handling - Fraud
• Claim Handling - Denial of Claim
• Claim Handling - Unjustified Accusations

On Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at approximately 1300 hours, I was traveling from my home located in Bakersfield, Ca. to my place of employment located in Tehachapi, Ca. I was sitting still at a red light inside my vehicle, a 2011 Hyundai Sonata, east bound on Stockdale Hwy approximately two hundred feet from the intersection at Real Rd located in Bakersfield Ca. Without warning, I was stuck from behind by a 2004 Chevy pickup truck operated by Brian Miller. Both vehicles received a substantial amount of damage but were drivable. Mr. Miller and I were able to drive to a safe, suitable area and exchanged information. I felt dizzy and confused while talking with Mr. Miller. My head, neck, lower back and left shoulder were hurting and were beginning to stiffen up. I contacted my employer and informed them that I was involved in an auto accident and would not be at work today and was going to the Hospital to be checked out. I drove back to my house, approximately three miles and changed out of my work clothes. I drove myself to the Mercy Emergency Hospital of Bakersfield located approximately two miles from my house. I was treated, prescribed Flexeril and Ibuprofen and was released to my personal doctor, David Bruce Christian, MD, for follow up care. The Hospital determined I wasn’t in any condition to drive and I had to make arrangements to get home from the Hospital that day. The following day, Dr. Christian excused me from work till Sunday, February 19, 2012, in order to rest and recover from the above listed series of events.
On Wednesday, February 15, 2012, I contacted Mr. Miller’s Insurance Company, State Farm Insurance and was informed by Ms. Adeline M. Carpenter (877) 774-8138 Ext. 278-4111, that State Farm is taking full responsibly for the above accident and I was given several options and locations to get my vehicle repaired. I chose to take my vehicle to Family Motor Auto Body & Paint. State Farm contacted the chosen repair shop and handled all repair costs, $4609.53 via Claim Number 55-05F1-63802. State Farm provided me with a rental vehicle from Hertz Rent a Car. On Tuesday, February 28, 2012 I picked up my vehicle which appears to be completely repaired.
Ms. Carpenter also informed me on February 15, 2012, to have Mercy Hospital bill them directly also using claim #55-05F1-63802. I was contacted shortly thereafter by a person named Denise from Mercy Hospital’s billing department who was requesting State Farm’s information. I faxed her all the claim information I had received from Ms. Carpenter. I contacted Denise via telephone at 661-327-4647 ext 4738 and she informed me that she had received all the information and was going to begin billing State Farm directly. I was lead to believe both by Ms. Carpenter and Denise that the medical bill was being taken care of.
I contacted my Union’s Group Legal Provider, U.S. Legal Services at 1-888-724-2325 who gave me a couple of personal injury attorney’s to choose from.
On March 27, 2012 I contacted the Law Office of John K. Fu @ 714-856-4565 who drafted a demand letter dated April 11, 2012, on my behalf for my pain, suffering and my one (1) week of lost wages. On December 17, 2012 the claim was settled for $6,319.00.
On May 31, 2013, I discovered Mercy Hospital was never paid by State Farm. Mercy Hospital is now coming at me for the amount of $5119.00. I contacted State Farm via telephone on May 31, 2013, Ms. Carpenter was out of the office, but I was told by another claims officer, that the settlement they paid out to me was for my medical expenses and they will not be paying the Mercy Hospital medical bill. The agent at State Farm said, when I signed the release they were no longer responsible. I explained I only sign the release because I was informed verbally and in good faith over the phone by Ms Carpenter prior to me contacting Mr. Fu, that State Farm would pay my medical bills. The agent advised me to take it up with my attorney. When I contacted John Fu that same day, he said he didn’t know the Hospital bill was unpaid when he advised me to accept the settlement that State Farm offered. Mr. Fu said that there’s nothing he can do to help me and advised me to attempt to settle my medical bill with Mercy Hospital for a lesser amount.
I feel that throughout this whole ordeal that I did nothing wrong. I was a victim of an automobile accident and I acted in good faith with all parties involved. Mr. Miller, Ms. Carpenter, Mercy Hospital and Mr. Fu. I was unaware of how claims and/or settlements are handled and that is the only reason I contacted an attorney. The settlement of $6319.00 that Mr. Fu negotiated for me on my behalf doesn’t even cover the medical bill of $5119.00, his attorney cost of $1200.00 or my lost wages of $1595.90., for a total amount of $7914.00.
I realize in this world you get what you pay for, but I contracted and paid Mr. Fu to advise me on a legal matter and due to my faith in Ms. Carpenter and Mr. Fu’s incompetency, I am now left to fend for myself with Mercy Hospital.

Thank you,
Robert

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