Law office
A refusal letter is rarely the final word.
Alexander von Bauer Attorney at law · Social security and insurance law · Munich
What has happened?
Most cases begin with a letter refusing a benefit or a payment. If one of these describes your situation, I can probably help.
“My health insurance fund refuses to pay.”
Refused cost coverage, rejected rehabilitation, a reduced care level, a denied reduced-earning-capacity pension. Against decisions of German social insurance bodies, a formal objection is the first step.
Social security law
“My insurer has rejected my claim.”
Private health insurance will not reimburse, the occupational disability insurer disputes your condition, or the legal expenses insurer refuses cover.
Insurance law
“I have had a road accident.”
Settlement after a collision, disputes over diminished value and loss of use, compensation for pain and suffering after an injury.
Road traffic accidents
“I have received a fine notice.”
Speeding, tailgating, a red light, a phone at the wheel – or a penalty order for drink driving or leaving the scene. The deadline to object is two weeks.
Traffic offences
“Something went wrong during treatment.”
A suspected treatment error or a failure to inform you properly before a procedure. I represent patients against practitioners and their liability insurers.
Medical negligence
Are you a company or a shareholder? I advise on the formation, restructuring and dissolution of German companies and on drafting and enforcing contracts. Get in touch
Deadline Against decisions of German social insurance bodies, the objection period is normally one month from notification (section 84 SGG). It keeps running while you consider your options.
Language and procedure
We can discuss your case in English, and I will explain every document and every step to you in English.
Correspondence
Letters to authorities, insurers and courts must be written in German (section 184 GVG). I draft them and explain the content to you in English.
Court hearings
German is the language of the courts. Where a hearing is necessary, the court appoints an interpreter; the cost is usually borne by the court.
Documents
Send your papers in whatever language they are in. Certified translations are only needed where a court or an authority actually requires them.
Three steps
1 · First contact
Call or write briefly describing the matter. Send the documents – the decision or the refusal letter – by email or post.
2 · Review and costs
I review the file and tell you how I assess the case. If you hold legal expenses insurance, I obtain confirmation of cover before you instruct me.
3 · Representation
Objection, correspondence with the insurer or authority and, where necessary, court proceedings. You receive a copy of every submission.
A short call, before a deadline runs out
Ten minutes on the phone are usually enough to establish whether a case is worth pursuing and what it will cost.