anybody ever deal with a collections agency??

any advice or suggestions will be appreciated.

Comp case is all done {05} - but PT bills that were not submitted for review at the hearing/settlement { don't ask me why- atty/staff incompetence??} are now of course my responsibility. 5000.00!

Anyway-
My comp atty said "you can negotiate it down" and "you can rebill it to your pvt medical " NOT!

Now this collections ag says the hospital doesn't accept a lesser amount and they won't work out a payment plan??

i offered 3k to settle it- no go and no counter offer.

It is soo nuts that they expect an injured person to pay the full billing amount when we all know that the ins would have only paid a percentage of the total.

I'm thinking calling agency and offering a higher percentage to settle OR just let them sue me for it?? Or tell her that sueing will cost them more - time and money- so if we can nego a agreeable amount i will pay that.???
anyway i have til monday to decide!

HELP??anybody