PACT’s “In Their Own Words” Returns with Story of Woman Who Lost Two-Thirds of Her Injury Settlement
Third installment features Cynthia Schuster, who says her attorneys directed her medical treatment and left her with just one-third of her $150,000 settlement
Washington, D.C. – Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT), a national organization dedicated to standing up for plaintiffs, victims, and consumers and ensuring access to a fair and transparent legal system, today released the third episode of its video series, “In Their Own Words.”
The latest installment features Cynthia Schuster, who says the personal injury attorneys she hired following a serious car accident directed her toward medical providers who failed to adequately address her injuries, ultimately leaving her with just one-third of her $150,000 settlement.
“In Their Own Words: Cynthia Schuster” can be viewed HERE.
Schuster’s ordeal began in late 2020, when another driver struck her vehicle as she was returning home from a job interview in Texas. Despite wearing her seatbelt, Schuster hit her head against the frame of her car during the collision, which totaled her vehicle. As her injuries became apparent, she turned to a personal injury law firm she had seen advertised on television, believing its attorneys would help her obtain the medical care and compensation she needed.
Instead, Schuster says her attorneys directed her to their preferred medical providers, where she was treated poorly and encountered medical bills she believed were significantly inflated. According to Schuster, the cost of treatment appeared substantially higher than what patients would ordinarily pay through insurance or out of pocket.
When Schuster attempted to seek treatment elsewhere, she says her attorneys discouraged her, warning that visiting other doctors could be characterized as “doctor shopping” and potentially jeopardize her case. She ultimately waited nearly two years for her case to settle.
Although Schuster received a settlement of approximately $150,000, she says two-thirds of that amount went to attorneys and medical providers, leaving her with just $50,000. Meanwhile, she says the herniated discs she suffered in the accident were never fully addressed and that, after aggravating the injuries at work, doctors have since told her she needs surgery.
“But I only ended up with a third of that,” Schuster says. “The other two-thirds was split between the doctors and the attorneys.”
PACT Executive Director Lauren Zelt said Schuster’s experience highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the personal injury system.
“Cynthia turned to a personal injury attorney because she needed help recovering from a serious accident, but instead she found herself navigating a legal process that left her with unanswered questions about her medical care and where her settlement money went,” said Zelt. “Her experience is a powerful reminder that injured consumers deserve to understand who is getting paid, how much they are receiving, and whether their interests are truly being put first.”
“They’re going to take most of the money and you’re still not going to get your care,” Schuster says.
“In Their Own Words” is part of PACT’s broader effort to elevate the experiences of consumers and families who say they were harmed by unethical legal practices and abuses within the civil justice system. The series follows PACT’s documentary Behind the Settlement: What Really Happens After You Hire a Billboard Lawyer and joins several ongoing video series on PACT’s YouTube channel dedicated to educating consumers about lawsuit abuse.
PACT is inviting consumers who believe they have experienced misconduct or abuse during the legal process to share their experiences at YourInjuryStory.com, where visitors can watch additional testimonials and submit their own stories.
About Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT):
Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT) is a national consumer advocacy organization dedicated to exposing lawsuit abuse, promoting transparency, and advancing commonsense legal reforms that protect consumers, lower costs, and strengthen America’s civil justice system.