A recent Law 360 story by George Woolston, “Ex-Billing Manager Says NJ Firm Put Fees Over Clients”, reports that a former billing manager for the New Jersey personal injury firm Brandon J. Broderick Attorney At Law claims she was fired for insisting that the firm's clients receive the most money possible from their settlements, according to a lawsuit filed in New Jersey state court.

Monique Pruett alleged in Mercer County Superior court that she was terminated after objecting to the firm's requests that she process personal injury settlements as quickly as possible.  Pruett claimed that when she took time to ensure that medical bills and liens were properly reconciled before making settlement payments to personal injury clients and clearing medical escrow accounts, "she was told that was not her job, and her job was simply to pay the bills and get the money out of escrow," the suit claims.

Clients and medical providers would sometimes receive less money than they were owed, but the firm would tell the providers "they would be taken care of," Pruett alleges in the suit.  The difference would be made up by paying a different client less money than the client was entitled to, Pruett claimed.  "It was clear that Broderick's priority was to get the firm its fee, the medical providers their money, and the best interest of the client was not considered," the suit claims. "The client's interest was given the lowest priority, if considered at all."

She also said she was treated unfairly because she is Black.  The suit brings three causes of action under the Garden State's whistleblower and discrimination laws. Pruett is seeking compensatory damages for emotional distress, reinstatement, counsel fees and punitive damages.