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Doctor who hasnt paid :( - Jean

Posted: Oct 18, 2011

Need some advice please. I completed over 400 reports for a doctor who has not paid my invoice.

His telephone is permanently on answerphone and he does not respond to my emails, letters or faxes.

It appears he has done this on purpose i.e. to get the work done for free.

The doctor is another state to me. Any ideas on the best course of action?

File in court (sm) - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
That is what I would do if one of my clients would that. I have a slow-pay doc, but he does eventually pay. *knocks on wood* It puts you in a horrible and unfair position. If you owed HIM money, do you think he would shrug it off? No, you'd start getting collection notices. You have the right to file. See a lawyer if you can. Good luck, and I'm sorry this happened to you. :(

Legal was expensive - Jean

[ In Reply To ..]
I asked a lawyer but they want much more than I am owed :( so it wouldn't be worth it. The doctor owes me $400. I also tried some collection companies but they said the amount is too small for them.

Jean - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
File in small claims court. You will be paid quickly, I'll betcha!

File, file, file - BTDT

[ In Reply To ..]
Tell him if you don't receive payment in X-number of days you will report his business practices on Yelp, where potential new patients will see it. Yelp is becoming a very big deal to private practitioners. Good luck!

Small claims - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't know what state your in, but filing the petition in small claims can be done without a lawyer for as little as 10.00 in some states, google your state and small claims for the steps you need to take. I would suggest maybe writing a letter demanding payment (send it certified so you have proof of receipt)and outline in detail the steps you will take if payment is not received by a certain date. Let him know that all costs incurred by filing against him will be added to the total amount from that point on. Of course, I'm sure you had a contract signed beforehand outlining your payment details before you started working for him so be sure to include copy of that in your certified letter with the payment details highlighted for him, reminding him that this was a written contract and he agreed to pay.

A Few Suggestions to Get Paid - mtmw

[ In Reply To ..]
I did a lot of freelance work for an attorney yers ago. She was/is actually the a city official. She didn't pay me after weeks of calls, visits, etc. I then decided someone who knows her should know what she was doing to me.

I sent her a letter (certified, return signature required,) and let her know that unless she paid me, I would send this same "collection" letter to the mayor, common council, county bar association, etc., so they might know how she conducts her business. I just wanted someone to know she had tried to stiff me. I had a check from her within the week.

I would check out this doctor's county or state medical board, his hospital affiliation, etc., and you know some of his patients/clients but that's a final resort. Send him a certified letter informing him that if he doesn't pay you, you are going to let his "colleagues" know how he does business.

Use his home address if you have to, if he has an office PO box, etc., but find a way for a letter to get to him. Even use Fed Ex with a signature required for delivery.

This is cheaper than small claims, especially if you're not even in the same state. That's a really difficult process.

The power of the mail can still be very powerful. These professionals don't want to be given a bad rep in their community. This just one among many ways to go with this. Best of luck to you.

Tried - Jean

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks. I tried this but he still didn't respond.
I am waiting for the court to send me the papers. The cost is $230 to file.

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