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by raving-richard
2606 days ago
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Small claims court if it's less than the relevant small claims amount.
Otherwise, a strongly worded letter from a cheap lawyer. The legal system is often abused. But it sounds like you've got an actual legit issue, which is what the legal system is there for. Why not use it? If you don't want to pay for a lawyer, you can write your own strongly worded letter. Just be sure to stick to facts, and keep very good records. In your letter, explain the issue briefly but clearly. Explain how you've attempted to resolve the issue. Explain how if the issue is not resolved, you will be forced to take action. Address it to the hospital CEO, or whoever is in charge. Post it using registered mail. Your local library may have a subscription to LexisNexis or a similar legal database. This will have form letters and chunks of legal text that you can copy and paste. HN user patio11 wrote a thing about writing letters on this website that I can't just find. But find it, and read it. It also has helpful advice. |
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Yes, you'll get anything not used back, but the last time I needed a strongly worded letter I had to pay the $1500 retainer and finding a lawyer under $200/hour in my area is extremely difficult. I got my remainder back the following month, but the strongly worded letter cost $400 and tied up $1500 for about five weeks.
The reality is the average person -- if we go off all the studies pointing out the large swathes of the population that can't meet a $500 emergency expense -- may not be in a position to tie up cash, even in markets where a lawyer is considerably cheaper. It's also a cost-benefit equation, and the value of that (regardless of the outcome) is different for everyone -- I'm someone who'll go tooth and nail to get $20 back on principle, but for some people that threshold might have to be $2000+ to care.