Both lawyers conspired to reduce the amount of compensation claimed.

In the process of claims (especially personal injury, traffic accident, workers' compensation, or civil claims),My own lawyerandThe opposing lawyer (usually the insurance company or the defendant)There may be some kind of "tacit understanding" or "collusion" that led to the final settlement amount being suppressed, thus preventing the recipient from receiving the reasonable compensation they deserve.

Such concerns are quite common in Hong Kong, especially in settlement negotiations led by insurance companies. This is because insurance companies often have long-term working relationships with certain law firms or lawyers, and some injured parties may suspect that "everyone wants to settle quickly or receive benefits privately," ultimately resulting in an underestimation of compensation.

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Analysis of the actual situation

• Hong Kong's legal profession has strict ethics:Hong Kong Law SocietyandBar AssociationThere are very strict regulations regarding the professional ethics of lawyers.Lawyers must not harm the interests of their clients.(This includes not intentionally lowering client compensation for convenience or personal relationships). If there is genuine evidence of collusion or breach of ethics, a complaint can be filed with the Bar Association, potentially constituting professional misconduct or a criminal offense. However, in reality, proving collusion is extremely difficult because the negotiation process inherently involves commercial considerations, the strength of evidence, and risk assessment.
• The most common reason for reducing compensationIt's not a series, but rather:
• Insurance companies deliberately underreport the amount (a common strategy: initially reporting a very low amount to test the injured party's acceptance).
• Insufficient evidence (medical reports, income statements, and expert witness opinions are not strong enough).
• The injured party is eager to reach a settlement (due to financial pressure and fear of litigation).
• The lawyer lacked experience, failed to accurately assess the amount of compensation, or did not know how to negotiate aggressively.

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How can I minimize the chances of being "bargained"?

Choose a lawyer with practical experience who specializes in handling plaintiff claims.

Prioritize finding a specialist to handle it.Personal injury / Traffic accident / Work injury claimLaw firms with a track record of success and a willingness to take on tough cases (not afraid of going to court).

• Avoid choosing "insurance company panel lawyers" (law firms that insurance companies have long-term contracts with), because they may also handle cases for insurance companies, which could create a potential conflict of interest (although this is legally permissible, some injured parties will avoid them).
• You can refer to: Hong Kong Lawyer Search Website, Law Society Directory, or ask friends/online forums for real experiences.
  Compare 2-3 cases and ask them about the average settlement/judgment amount in similar past cases.

Hire a senior lawyer or barrister to review the application.

If the amount involved in the case is large (e.g., over 500,000), or if you are very concerned, you may consider:

• Have your solicitor hire you at key stages.BarristerProvide counsel's opinion or represent the client in negotiations/court proceedings.
• Senior lawyers are typically more independent and not directly influenced by insurance companies, allowing them to more objectively assess compensation amounts and be willing to push their negotiation limits.
  The costs can be high, but in many cases they can be recovered from the final settlement (if the winning case or settlement terms include legal costs).

Actively control information and negotiation

• Require your lawyer to provide a detailed written report after each negotiation: what price the other party offered, why, your counter-arguments, and the lawyer's assessment.
• Do your own research or seek a second opinion: You can first find another lawyer to conduct an independent evaluation (second opinion), which usually costs several thousand dollars.
• Don't rush to sign a settlement: Many insurance companies will pressure you to sign quickly with "limited-time offers," but delaying often allows you to negotiate a higher settlement.

Other protective measures

• Apply for legal aid(If eligible): ByLegal Aid AgencyIf you hire a lawyer, the lawyer will not try to lower the price because of your "relationship with the insurance company".
• Preserve all evidenceThe stronger the medical reports, proof of income loss, and expert assessments (such as reports from occupational therapists and economists), the more leverage a lawyer has in securing higher compensation.
• If you suspect your lawyer isn't doing their job well, you can switch lawyers (although there are costs involved, it's sometimes worth it).

Summarize:Insurance company undervalues + lawyer lacks negotiation skillsThe combination is very common. The key is...Choose a lawyer with a proven track record and the courage to fight for their rights.And remain proactive and vigilant throughout the process. If you can provide more details (such as the type of unexpected event and the current stage of negotiations), I can offer more targeted advice.

Further reading:

• 10 things to keep in mind when hiring a lawyer
• Strategies and tactics for dealing with personal injury claims handled by insurance companies
• Hong Kong traffic accident claims
• [On-site footage] A woman at a hot pot restaurant in Tai Po throws bowls and assaults three people.