What would be a fair amount to offer to pay for injuries that my husband accidentally caused?
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What would be a fair amount to offer to pay for injuries that my husband accidentally caused?
My husband was joking with a friend and pushed him into a fountain (after he had already got his cell phone so it wouldn’t get wet and told him he was gonna do it). The friend hit his head and had to get some staples (along with other medical bills – ambulance ride, ER visit, MRI, X-rays, staples). He says the total of the medical bills is somewhere in the neighborhood of $5500. He didn’t press charges because we are friends and hasn’t sued but did ask for us to “help out” with the bills. The hospital told him they would “discount” his bill if he got it all paid off in 60 days.
Asked on July 18, 2011 under Personal Injury, Mississippi
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If your husband wants to do the right thing for his friend for the injuries he caused, your husband should agree to pay the entire amount of all damages of the friend, especially if the friendship is desired to remain.
Your husband should get copies of all invoices for medical bills and other expenses for payment by your husband from the friend. If the friend wants to negotiate directly with the health care providers for a discount of the bills where your husband ends up paying the agreed amount, that would be a nice gesture by the friend.
As a precaution, any agreement between your husband and the friend for payment of bills resulting from the injuries should be in writing, dated and signed by each of them. The check should be made out to the friend with the express understanding he uses the amount given to pay all medical bills from the incident. Keep a copy of all agreements, bills and checks for future use if need be.
Good luck.
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