My aunt and uncle were the victims of a serious accident. An oil truck came out a side road and pinned them up against a fence. They were both rushed to the hospital and needed separate ambulances. The difficulty with my uncle is that he had dementia. He spiraled in that degree of fear and uncertainty, not being able to be home.
Jim Nugent came to mind immediately. I had called him on a couple of things, but not for a serious injury where I needed to refer him. Because of the situation, Jim and Julie came to the house. They were client-focused and more concerned with how my uncle and aunt were doing. He assured them that they didn't have to stress when things came in the mail. All they had to do was give it to them. The Nugents have experience dealing with dementia, so that was an added layer of dealing with specialized needs.
The retainer agreement was very straightforward, very comprehensive, and easy to understand. What type of expenses there would be, how they would come out etc.
The firm was on top of things, and there was always a good fluid motion. The follow-up would come from the paralegals and others in the office. There was never a situation where one didn't know what the other was doing. I never, ever heard my aunt say that she couldn't get ahold of anyone.
It was much more personalized. They listened to my aunt because she did not want to go to trial. It was her case that the insurance company was fighting. Part of it was because she wanted to take care of her husband, so she didn't seek a lot of follow-up treatment. Even though she had serious injuries, she wanted to be home with him. So they pushed back because of her lack of treatment. That was one of the things attorney Nugent really pushed for. He said, "No, you have permanent damage because of this. They can't just discount that because you didn't do physical therapy. It's the totality of the circumstances."
He was more focused on what was right in the situation. Saying things like, "They shouldn't be able to discount what happened because your aunt puts taking care of her husband above doing physical therapy in an office." She appreciated that and understood when Jim said, "I understand you don't want to go to trial, but I'm not ready to give in yet."
One of the things that make his firm is that Jim's not afraid to try a case. There are a lot of personal injury attorneys out there that know the system, but when it comes down to it, they're just looking to settle a case and get a quick buck.
Attorney Nugent is a fierce litigator but yet a compassionate counselor. That balance makes him much more effective with insurance companies that try to call the bluff of some firms. Saying something like, "We don't think your case is that strong. Let's take it to trial." They know Jim will, and they know that they better put somebody good up against him because he's a good litigator. Other attorneys will handle cases and then send them to him if they go to trial. Having seen him on the litigation side, he's a very strong litigator.
The whole process is overwhelming. Knowing that somebody was handling every aspect and nothing was going to fall through the crack was assuring. They simplified things by making the process straightforward. What they needed and why they needed it when it came to releases when signing for things. There was no rushing. It gave my aunt the comfort of knowing that she didn't have to worry at all, no matter what she was dealing with.
Jim has a heart of gold and a military mindset. That Marine type of mindset where you push through to get the job done. One of his catchphrases is, "Rub a little dirt in it and just keep going." So he'll push through in advocating if he thinks there's something a client deserves. At the same time, he would take time off from work to help a friend or family member. There's a real balance between advocating, family, faith, and the law. He definitely does not come off as a pushover. I would say he's very well-rounded.
He is who I refer personal injury cases to. I would refer my family and friends to him because I know they'd be in good hands. He has a lot of integrity. He's not looking to make a buck from a bad case. He's not about quantity. He's about being able to provide quality to clients that really need him.
It's a combination of his integrity, competency, and the fact that he's an excellent attorney. Because of that, there is a level of respect and reputation when it comes to insurance companies. They know that he's not making stuff up because he won't. He doesn't change the fact pattern to meet the situation. This is why I would refer the people closest to me.
The outcome of the case was a settlement. Jim went to the house, and my aunt teared up when she saw the check. "It's really done. I'll be set, and I won't have to worry. I'll have something to leave to my kids." She was very thankful.
What surprised me during this process was seeing Attorney Nugent's style and then seeing him in a trial setting. He has a very good knowledge of the value of things. Insurance companies are difficult because they do things that make no logical sense. They could pay out less upfront. Instead, they carry it out, have all these legal fees, and then end up paying the same. Everything is about pushing it to another year, another fiscal, making it somebody else's problem. Jim is very cognizant of the system and its players, and he's willing to go to trial if the insurance companies are messing around.
There is no doubt in my mind that if my aunt had gone to anyone else, she wouldn't have been as successful in her settlement. Because Jim valued the information, he was prompt, and he pushed while also listening to the client. He pushed for things I don't think many other attorneys would be able to back up or even want to because they would've settled a lot quicker for the quick buck.
Phone: 1 (203) 795-1111
