This is topic More of insurance and German law and another translation request. German, anyone? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.
I need to get the police report. After months of slow (no) movement on my situation from the accident in Germany, I need to get a copy of the police report. This is the progress so far.
1. Look up German embassy in Google. Surely they can help? 2. Get information for German consulate in Houston. Call German consulate. Get only voice-mail. Give up. 3. Look up Germany police in Google. Results: travel photos 4. Look up Germany Bavaria police in Google. Results: archived pleas for help in contacting the police in Germany. 5. Look up Germany in Google. Get www.germany-info.com. Send an email requesting contact information for police department covering Fussen, Bavaria, Germany. 6. Get e-mail directing me to German consulate in Houston. 7. Call German consulate. Lady answers, asks me to call back later when there is someone there who can help. 8. Call back next day. Get voice-mail. Leave a message to please call. 9. No call. Call back next day. Get message the embassy is closed for lunch; call back later. 10. Call back later. All lines are busy; call back later. 11. Call back later. Embassy is closed and voice-mail system is turned off. Call back later. 12. Suspect they have my number on file, and are refusing to answer phone. 13. Call back on Monday. Get a human! Yay! "Please, the number to Fussen police?" "No one here who can help you. Please look up Fussen police in Google, or go to www.germany-info.com.".
"I tried those, and they sent me here. Do you kn--" I'm talking to an empty line. He hung up. 14. Call back. "I tried those sites, any other ideas?" "www.google.de" "I don't speak German - is there a site in English?" "No." He hangs up on me again. 15. Police is polizei is German, I discover. I try www.google.de. All returns are in German. I briefly consider calling an old Nemesis who happens to speak German; put idea on hold for later. 16. Call back embassy. "I tried those. I still don't speak German. Is there anyone I can talk to?" Man (lady? not sure) thaws a bit. "I thought they would be out of meeting. Call back in half an hour." "What time does the embassy close? (It is 3:00pm.)" "3:30pm." "Am I going to call back in half an hour and the embassy will be closed?" "No, someone will answer the phone." "Thank you. I will talk to you in half an hour."
That was fifteen minutes ago. Wish me luck.
Holy bureaucracy!!!!!!!
[ May 10, 2004, 04:30 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by asQmh (Member # 4590) on :
My German's rusty or I'd offer to help. But if you get in a bind (translation-wise), lemme know. I've probably still got some contacts who can hammer it out better than I can.
Q.
Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :
Wholly Bureacracy, more like! Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
Good luck, honey. I hate bureaucrasies, and I used to be a cog in one.
Again with the luck, for I fear you may need it. :Crosses fingers::
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
Is German one of Kama's languages? Not much help here, I speak Spanish with a southern accent.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Dang. I can get the address/phone #s for you, katharina. Hold a sec.
[ August 18, 2003, 04:36 PM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Can't link 'em.
1. go to www.google.com 2. search for "Bavaria Germany Polizei" 3. go to ninth entry, "Governments on the WWW: Germany" and hit the "Translate this page" part of the link 4. Click on "Bayern (Bavaria)" under "State Institutions"
In the next list, you will find links to translated pages for
[ August 18, 2003, 04:44 PM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I'm on the phone right now!!
Okay. I call back, and the same man/lady (?? why can I not tell?) tells me the consulate is closed and to call back tomorrow. I don't think so. I press details of who exactly I need to talk to, and I am put on hold.
Someone else comes on the line. He doesn't know. He does, however, suggest I try the American consulate in Munich. Okeydokey.
This guy was nice. I don't know what the first one told him, but he knew I'd been calling for some time. It was a little bit funny, except I then had a flash of nice-girl guilt for being a pain in the butt. Compared to the first person hanging up on me twice, however, this is nothing.
Okay. Next try: American consulate in Munich.
What time is it there? Dang it!
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I post the reply and see the CT, the wonderful, has a site for me! Yay! *hug*
I can read verboten, polizei, and apoteke in German. I'm going to try. Posted by Tristan (Member # 1670) on :
Katharina,
Polizeiinspektion Füssen
Hausanschrift: Herkomerstraße 17 87629 Füssen
Postanschrift: Postfach 1760 87623 Füssen
Tel.: 08362 / 9123-0
Fax: 08362 / 9123-40
I am not entirely sure that it is here you want to inquire; apparently they also have something called traffic police office (Verkehrpolizeiinspektion), however none for Füssen. At least they will probably be able to refer you onwards. If they can understand you...
Edit: redundancy! oh, and if you need something translated, I may perhaps be able to help you. Although my german is only so-so.
[ August 18, 2003, 04:48 PM: Message edited by: Tristan ]
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Try going through the google link above. *fingers crossed
Edit: cool, Tristan!
[ August 18, 2003, 04:47 PM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
yes, German is one of Kama's languages. If you have no luck with Tristan's link, or need my help in communicating them, let me know (everything's in my profile)
Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
Kat, I'd have Kama translate your request before sending it in! How cool are Hatrackers?
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Oh my gosh, I love Hatrack. I should have come here long ago. Thank you, thank you! Y'all are brilliant. Yay!
I sent a letter to Kama with links to the sites. I couldn't find mention of Fussen, but I am not sure that is the German name of the city. I know it is the closest big city for quite a few miles around.
[ August 20, 2003, 09:53 AM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Then will this mean that Kama does exist... or is she merely a German translating program.
Seriously though Hatrackers are awfully cool!
AJ
Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :
I am awed by your mastery of search engines CT.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
I need to go to bed soon, but I promise to help you tomorrow, ok?
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
No problem. I'll be here at 9:00am Hatrack time. Posted by Tristan (Member # 1670) on :
Katharina, it is perhaps not that easy to know who has your police report, but here are the authorities that have jurisdiction over Füssen that I believe might be able to help:
Bayerisches Landeskriminalamt (losely, Bavaria's state criminal bureau)
(No e-mail).
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*whooop!!!*
Tristan, you're the greatest.
I called the last number there - the one for the Fussen police - and actually talked a helpful German who spoke English who is in Germany. It's midnight there, and he couldn't find it in the comupter, but he said that the records from 2001 were on paper, and I should call tomorrow morning. Not there yet, but SO much closer. Yay!
[ August 20, 2003, 09:55 AM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Hatrack rocks.
Edit:
Unfortunately the only German I know is "Spiel mit meiner Wurst," from when a female friend of mine was getting ready to go on exchange to Germany. We made sure to warn her that the correct response is "nein."
[ August 18, 2003, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: twinky ]
Posted by Tristan (Member # 1670) on :
Glad to be able to help, Katharina. I hope it works out alright in the end.
Twinky, that sentence would get much more attention if it came from a guy . Edit: ah, now I get it. Someone would say it to her. Right. That could happen...
[ August 18, 2003, 06:14 PM: Message edited by: Tristan ]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
So what does that sentence mean?
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Google translates it as "Play with my sausage".
Posted by Tristan (Member # 1670) on :
I think I leave it to twinky to explain himself. Somehow I feel slightly embarrassed about translating it. And once I've said this, obviously it would be getting worse to change my mind, because then I would have made a big deal out of it and given the apperance of being a bit of a prude. Perhaps I could compromise and only translate a couple of key words and let the rest of you draw the conclusion? But that would be just silly and wouldn't fool anybody, would it? Ah, what the heck, it means "play with my sausage". Could be worse I suppose, and perhaps not worth the build-up
Edit: way to steal my thunder, ak .
[ August 18, 2003, 06:30 PM: Message edited by: Tristan ]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Oh, for crying out loud.
Nein is a very good answer, then.
I don't think she'd need it. The German men were so nice when I was there! Is Ophelia around? She would know. Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
>> Someone would say it to her. <<
Yes, exactly. So while she was studying German in preparation for the trip, some of her male friends (myself included) would just periodically say it to her out of the blue to ensure that she remembered to reply in the negative.
My circle of friends enjoys a good bit of juvenile humour. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
They sound like fun, twinky. Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Yeah, I'm really looking forward to the next eight months, though it's bittersweet because after this it's all over. Graduation time.
They're a good crew. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I miss my friends. Savor it - graduating bites. Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
I have been. And we've all been dreading graduation since first year, but there was nothing we could do to slow its inexorable approach; and to make matters worse, the closer to it we get the faster time seems to pass.
My close male friends (who I live with most school terms) and I call what's coming the PGP, short for "Post-Graduation Penis." We use "penis" as a negative expletive. Generally when you enter our dwelling-place you either shout "huzzah!" if things are going well or "penis" if they are not. Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
Wow, there's really nothing one can say to a post like that, is there?
Well, maybe something like this.
Boys.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Well, I'm very glad you found what you wanted
Tristan did a great job, indeed. But if you still need me to write them an e-mail, or translate, or anything, just let me know, ok? Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
So I called the next morning, and got another very nice-sounding German policeman who very nicely tried to brush me off.
He looked me up in the computer, and I'm not there.
"Please send a letter."
yeah, I don't think so. I'm not waiting a month turnaround to find out what he doesn't want to tell me on the phone. I ask him to look it up perhaps in the paper records if it is not in the computer, and he says to call back during business hours - the secratary isn't there right now. She left half an hour ago. "Call back 8:00 German time."
Holy crap, that's one in the morning. Well, okay. This should be interesting. I'm still just so dang excited to talk to the police station that I'm willing to wait for two days of runaround. Also, if I call then, I can briefly ring the embassy in Munich and see what they say.
Thank you all, very, very much. It is all moving along.
Posted by Ophelia (Member # 653) on :
quote: The German men were so nice when I was there! Is Ophelia around? She would know.
Yes, all the German men I've ever met have been very nice. Some of the other Europeans (and Americans) living in Munich were creeps, but I never had a problem with any of the Germans.
Good luck with all of this. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Further fun with the Germans:
I called just now today. I was going to call last night, but I fell asleep and didn't set my clock for the three in the morning. I had a lovely conversation with Shariati, the secretary.
She was VERY friendly, and tickled I was calling from Dallas. She confirmed that the computer system had changed in the past couple of years, and she needed to research this. I gave her my name, the location, and the approximate dates ( I can't remember exactly what day it was), and she asked me to call back tomorrow morning. "No problem." "Tomorrow morning - our time." Dagnabbit. If I'm tired at the picnic tomorrow, this is why.
Still she was very nice, and we are off to the races. She didn't sound overwhelmed at the request, and promised results. Yay!
Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
I'm glad it's getting taken care of, Kat. I can't believe I missed the debacle - when did you get hit by a truck (or was it a bus?) in Germany? Was it during one of my hiatuses?
(Hatrack, indeed, rawks. Everybody does summin around here. I'm considering sending my shirts to Hatrack to have them laundered.)
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
It was almost two years ago now. There has been lots of foot-dragging (mine and others), but time is running out now, so we are getting busy.
(Hatrack completely rocks.)
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
To call Germany: 011-49-8362-9123-40
Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
How's that going?
Is the number up there so you don't lose it? Or are you expecting lots of Hatrackers to be calling Germany soon? Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
You know, this isn't the only telephone number available in Germany. There are plenty more. Enough for every Hatracker to pick one at random and call, actually.
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
I can think of a few Hatrackers that would rather call Poland. Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
You lonely enough to pay that much to talk to a computer program Mikey?
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Ahh, Kayla, you apparently haven't heard my voice interface yet. It's so sexy it would raise the dead.
Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Well, it seems like I'm more than a little bit too late for this. I do speak fluent german in case you still need help.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
You get cooler every time I learn about you, Rabbit.
I might need it yet - I sent a fax requesting it, but haven't heard back. So far, everyone speaks English, but I'm pretty sure the report will be in German. This could be interesting.
Basically, I need four pieces of information:
the police report the hospital records the trucking company (of the guy that hit me) the trucking company's insurance company
I'm pinning my hopes on the police report at the moment, but it's hasn't come yet. But when it does, that should lead to the next steps.
[ September 12, 2003, 06:47 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Anything new with this kat?
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Noemon, this is spooky. You must clairvoyant. I just got a call from the secretary this morning saying I had a fax upstairs. This could only be it!
[ September 23, 2003, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I just ran upstairs and got the fax. I have the police report! And this was the accompanying text:
quote:Dear Mrs. ( ) Pilkington,
with this we send you 3 pages of the police-report. we had sent to the district-attorney in 2001.
If you should need further informations, you (or your lawyer) unfortunately have to contact a German lawyer, who is authorized to apply for these informations at the court in Kempten. The court's address is : [info]
We hope we could help you.
Yours sincerely
[Fussen police department]
Yay! This is so cool! Should I send them flowers? Can I do that? What's the protocol here?
*reads report* Uh, it's in German. *thinks*
Maybe I can fax this to Rabbit for interpretation? I just need to know the name of the driver, the company he worked for, and the hospital I was taken to. Maybe there's another way to find the hospital I was taken to.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
How cool! That's great kat! Depending on how fast you can type, you might try bable fishing for it. The translation would undoubtedly be horrible, but you could probably get what you need from it. If you don't want to type it out, though, it sounds as though Rabbit would be more than willing to help out.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
All right! A little real-life interpreatation practice for the denizens of Hatrack. Just in case anyone wants to play.
quote:01 fuhr mit ihrem Damenfahrrad auf der B 17 in Fahrtrichtung Fussen am rechten Fahrbahnrand. 01, der hinter ihr kommend in gleicher Richtun fuhr, wollte sie uberholen und scherte mit seinem LKW nach links aus. Da zum Uberholzeitpunkt gerade Gegenverkehr herrschte, fuhr er wieder weiter nach rechts auf seine Fahrspur und fuhr so knapp an 01 vorbei, dab der rechte Aubenspiegel seines LKW mit voller Wucht von hinten gegen den Kopf der am Fahrbahnrand radelnden 01 prallte.
Der LKW des 01 hatte zum Unfallzeitpunkt laut sichergestellter Tachoscheibe aus dem EG-Kontrollgerat eine Geschwindigkeit von ca. 96 (!) km/h.
Laut Aussagen von unbeteiligten Zeugen hatte 01 zuvor auf der gleichen Strabe schon einen anderen Radfahrer gefahrlich knapp ohne ausrecichenden Sicherheitsabstand uberholt.
Es wird davon asgegangen, dab 02 ausreichend rechts am Fahrbahnrand fuhr. Allerdings hatte sie den parallel zur Bundesstrabe in ca. 1000m Entfernung durch die Wiesen verlaufenden Fub- und Radweg benutzen konnen. 02 trug keinen Schutzhelm.
And then there's two more pages of the form. I've found the guy's name, but I'm not sure about his company yet.
Did it read this right? 96 km/h. Good heavens, that's about 60 miles per hour. You mean someone hit me going 60 miles per hour! No wonder I squished like a mosquito!
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Okay, here's the babel-fish. It didn't work completely - does anyone know what the still-German words mean?
quote:basing at the right edge of the lane drove 01 with its lady bicycle on B 17 into driving direction. 01, which drove behind it coming into same Richtun, it wanted to uberholen and scherte with its truck to the left out. Since to the Uberholzeitpunkt straight oncoming traffic prevailed, it drove again further to the right on its lane and drove past so scarcely at 01, dab the right Aubenspiegel its truck with full force from the rear against the head at the edge of the lane radelnden to 01 hit. The truck 01 had at the accident time according to guaranteed Tachoscheibe from EEC-controlturns out a speed of approx.. 96 (!) km/h. According to statements of indifferent witnesses 01 on the same Strabe another cyclist gefahrlich scarcely without ausrecichenden safety margin had already uberholt before. It becomes of it asgegangen, dab 02 sufficiently right at the edge of the lane drove. However it had parallel to the Bundesstrabe the Fub and cycle track running in approx. 1000m distance by the meadows uses konnen. 02 carried no protective helmet.
They're very serious about their helmets there. I made the paper with the tagline of "if she had been wearing a helmet, the injuries would not have been as severe." In my defense, I rented the bike and didn't see a way to rent a helmet.
Never doing that again. Heck, never riding my bike on the street again. Posted by Sal (Member # 3758) on :
quote:02 (kat) rode her bike on the right side of the street B 17 in direction towards Fussen. 01, driving behind her in the same direction, wanted to pass her and swerved left with his truck. Because of traffic coming from the front at this time, he drove towards the right in his lane again and passed 02 so closely that his right mirror smashed with full force into the back of the head of 02, who cycled at the edge of the street.
According to the recovered speedometer (?) record of the EG control instrument, the truck of 01 had a speed of approx. 96 km/h at the time of the accident.
According to statements of uninvolved witnesses, 01 had already earlier passed another bicycle on the same street with insufficient safety distance.
It is assumed that 02 rode sufficiently towards the right at the edge of the street. However, she could have taken the bicycle/pedestrian path that runs parallel 1000m from the street through meadows. 02 didn't wear a helmet.
I did this "on the fly", so please, excuse my French.
NO HELMET!!
I'd say you were really lucky, kat.
From what I remember, German law requires a minimum lateral distance of 1.50m for a car passing a bicycle. Go get this guy!
Edit: If there was no speed limit posted, the default limit is 100 km/h for a "B" street (Bundesstrasse). It seems that at least the truck wasn't speeding.
[ September 23, 2003, 11:20 AM: Message edited by: Sal ]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Thank you, Sal!!
Holy crumb, I did luck out. I do have a lovely scar on my head, and I will adore Germany's health care system for forever, for when they shaved my head to put in the stitches, they did it carefully enough that when I wore my hair down, you could not see the shaven portion.
I don't know why I wasn't on the bike path. I don't remember being on the street at all. I took a break and went for a swim in a nearby lake during the ride, and getting on my bike after the lake is the last thing I remember.
There was a picture of the ambulance, street, and bike in the paper, and the street doesn't even look familiar. I don't know why I was there. ----
Okay, this means the name of the company the guy drove for is somewhere else in the report. *shuffles papers*
[ September 23, 2003, 11:35 AM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
erforderliche FE vorhanden? ja [X]
CE 28.09.1999 LRA Neuburg-Schrobenh
Is this something? *looks* I'll bet its asking if he has a drivers license. So, good to know, but not his company.
*keeps looking*
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
quote:FABRKYGHALTER
Radverleigh am Bahnhof Fussen
Bahnhofstr 87729 Fussen
Is this the hospital?
Posted by Sal (Member # 3758) on :
LRA is Landratsamt -- a local government office. Is the town near Fussen? I'm wondering whether this is just the office in charge of the accident, or the one that issued the truck driver's licence.
The other thing ("Radverleih") is a bike-rental place.
There isn't any picture of the truck somewhere, is there?
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Thanks! My goodness, Hatrack completely rocks.
Hmm... I have a copy of the paper with our picture in it at home. I can't remember if the truck is in it or not. I can scan it, but I have to go home to get it.
Added:
quote:UNFALLFOLGEN
schwerv [X]
Skalpierungsverlstrung linker Schlafenhereich mit Kopfhautabldaung, Prellungen, Schurfwunden
Is this anything?
[ September 23, 2003, 12:00 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by Sal (Member # 3758) on :
Well, it's mostly ::shudders::
It's the "consequences of the accident", and it's somewhat medical. Basically, you were partly scalped (sp?).
And here I thought that was something typical American, you know, a Cowboy/Indian thing...
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Oh my stars, this is getting more horrifying the more I read.
Uh, this is a German language question. Why are all those words capitalized?
I'll keep looking for the hospital info. Sorry about the freak out.
Added:
quote:An der Unfallstelle verlauft der Rad- und Fubweg nicht kirekt neben der Strabe, sondern in ca. 100m Enterfnung parallel zur B 17 uber die Wiesen am Bannwaldsee.
---
Kontaktaufnahme mit amerikan. Generalkonsulat Munchen, Mrs. Goldman
Anything exciting and non-disgusting?
[ September 23, 2003, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by Der Grammatikfuehrer (Member # 5015) on :
All German nouns are capitalized. Of course, I don't actually speak German, so I'm not much help.
Posted by Sal (Member # 3758) on :
Grammatikfuehrer is correct about the nouns.
The sentence says only that at the accident site, the bike path doesn't run directly beside the street but 100m away and parallel to it.
Somebody apparently contacted Mrs. Goldman at the American Consulate in Munich after the accident. (I read through this thread a long time ago--I don't remember whom all you contacted. This Mrs. Goldman might know the answers to some of your questions, like which hospital etc.)
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
quote:Zentrale Abrechnungsstelle im Rettungsdienst fur
Any chance that's the hospital?
Posted by Damien (Member # 5611) on :
quote: In German: Zentrale Abrechnungsstelle im Rettungsdienst fur Arbeiter Samriter Bund Bayerishes Rotes Kruez Branddirektion Munchen Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V. Malteser Hilfsdienst Landesvereing. d. Privatunternehmer
In English: Central clearing house in the emergency service fur worker Samriter federation Bayerishes red Kruez fire management Munchen Johanniter accident assistance e.V. Malteser emergency service Landesvereing. D private entrepreneur
dictionary.com click translator.... it looks like it might be the hospital...
Posted by Sal (Member # 3758) on :
It looks like the "Central for accounting for ambulant treatment", listing different organizations/institutions that it covers. It doesn't give any specific organization or hospital for your case (unless there's a check mark somewhere), but this looks close!
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
quote:Kreiskeliniken Ostallgau Haus Fussen Stadtbleiche 1 87629 Fussen
Sparkasse Ostallgau
Zahlung sofort nach Erhalt der Rechnung
Any chance that's the hospital? Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
There's always a chance. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I'm optimistic. It was at the top of a bill for about 3,000 DM, so that's nice.
I have to say, despite the bills, I rode in an ambulance, had minor surgery, and spent a week in the hospital in excellent care for total expense to me (no insurance covering) of about $2,500. Go socialized medicine!
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Sparkasse = bank
Kreiskliniken = hospital [don't know what that extra 'e' is doing in there]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*blush* Um, that would be a copying error. <oops>
ooooo... that's promising. I'll bet the top address is the address of the hospital. And there's a phone number!
I'll call tonight. At *sigh* 3:00 in the morning.
[ September 23, 2003, 07:00 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by Sal (Member # 3758) on :
Yep, this looks like it. Probably the hospital ("Klinik") bill, giving also their local bank ("Sparkasse") so you knew where to pay ("immediately after receipt of the bill").
Good luck!
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Well, once again it looks like I've shown up too late to be of any help. Sal's translations look great to me.
One note to Kat that may help with future translation. The letter german letter ß which you sometimes see in the middle or end of german words, although it looks like a capital B, is actual an es-zed. It is commonly replaced with a double s ("ss") in english print.
[ September 23, 2003, 09:09 PM: Message edited by: The Rabbit ]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Gotta tell you, Germans are fabulous. I just talked to a lovely lady at the hospital, and she was downright thrilled to help me. So sweet! I knew I loved them!
011-49-8362-500-0
[ September 29, 2003, 08:04 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
011-49-8362-500-436 Hospital Records department 972-580-2486
The records department seems marginally less used to being called in the middle of the night than, say, the police department. Looks like another middle-of-the-night call for me. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Woohoo! Almost done!
I found the name of the insurance company and the German lawyer in some other paperwork, and I called the hospital this morning and they'll fax my stuff.
I have to say, I'm delighted with how easy this process has been, but I can't believe they are faxing the medical records to me, in another country, without a signature or anything. I just called and asked for them, and they said no problem. Holy cow!
On the other hand, I don't the report yet. There may be a snag. *crosses fingers*
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Two (three?) weeks ago, I called the hospital records department, spoke to someone who spoke English and gave them my information and fax number. They seemed to understand what I needed, and they promised to fax it. Last week, having still not received the fax, I called back. I just gave my name, and the lady knew who I was and my info was right there and she would fax it.
"Today?" "Yes, today." *laugh*
Hmmm...
Still no fax. Am running out of time. I have talked to my lawyer/relative, and he said to wait to send in the other stuff when I have the hospital report, so this is the bottleneck. Calling isn't working, so I think I'm going to send them a fax with the information on it and some tushy-smooching. *sigh* Am I selling my soul here? I don't think so - I was highly impressed with the quality of my care there. Anyway, it worked for the police department. Which leads me to Hatrack.
For those who speak German, I would love some help with some practical translation. I'll write it in English, y'all translate into Modern Business German, and I'll fax a copy to both the hospital and to the American embassy in Munich (with an explanation for Munich). Thank you, thank you. Hatrack is like Superman's cape.
quote:I am in need of a copy of the medical records for Katharine Pilkington, a patient brought in as a result of a bike accident that occurred on the 13, 14, 15,16, or 17 of August, 2001.
My full name is Katharine Jane Pilkington, the accident took place on one of the dates above. I have spoken to some employees of the records department there, and it is confirmed that I was a patient. I have copies of the bills and the police report, and am waiting solely on the hospital report. Thank you very much for your help with this.
If you have any questions or I can help in any way, please call me. My phone number is 000-000-0000, my fax number is 000-000-0000, and my e-mail address is Hatrack@hatrack.com. I will call tomorrow to make sure the fax was received.
Thank you very, very much. It was not pleasant being hit by a truck while on vacation.but I was wildly impressed with the care I received at your hospital. Thank you so much for taking care of me.
[ October 20, 2003, 10:51 AM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Just a thought, you may be doing it already -- make sure you include the country code on any phone/fax numbers you send.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
What's the country code for the US? I can call to Germany fine, but I don't know how to call from Germany to here.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Isn't our country code simply "1"?
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Is it? How imperialistic is that? No wonder the world hates us! Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
They hate us more when we assume everyone knows how to call the US .
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
But that part is true. *nods* Yep.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Ich brauche eine Kopie des medizinischen Bericht fur Katharine Pilkington, eine Patientin gebracht nach dem Radunfall der an 13, 14, 15,16, oder 17 August, 2001 statt gefunden hat.
Meine Volname ist Katharine Jane Pilkington, der Unfall hat an einer der oberen Daten statt gefunden. Ich habe mit einigen Arbeiter der Berichtabteilung dort gesprochen, und es ist bestatigt, dass ich dort Patientin war. Ich habe Kopien der Rechnungen und des Polizeiberichts, und warte nur auf den Krankenhausbericht. Ich danke Ihnen sehr fur Ihre Hilfe damit.
Wenn sie irgendwelche Fragen haben, oder ich kann irgendwie helfen, rufen Sie mich bitte an. Mein Telefonnummer ist ..................., mein Faxnummer ist.......................... und meine E-mail adresse ist ............................................. Ich werde Morgen anrufen um zu prufen, ob Sie das Fax bekommen haben.
Ich danke Ihnen sehr. Es war nicht angenehm, wahrand den Ferien bei dem Bus angestossen zu werden, aber ich war wirklich beeindruckt mit der Hilfe die ich in Ihrem Krankenhaus bekommen habe. Vielen Dank dafur.
Mit freundlichen Grussen,
[ October 20, 2003, 01:20 PM: Message edited by: Kama ]
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
Should adresse be capitalized or just E-mail? Or should e-mail be capitalized, as it's functioning as an adjective? Hm.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Yay! Kama, you rock!
This is great. I'll fax it today.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Indeed.
E-mail Adresse. I guess.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Well, it's sent! I hope it Kama didn't have me sayhing something funny. Posted by Ophelia (Member # 653) on :
Well, all the umlauts are missing, but it should be okay. Posted by Ethics Gradient (Member # 878) on :
Mmmm... umlauts...
Ever noticed how phonetically similar that word is to "omelette?"
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Umlauts are stupid. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*frustrated*
Hospital still hasn't sent the records. I don't know what the hold up is - I've called and they promised, and then I sent the fax and a signed privacy release, but still nothing.
*frustrated*
What else can I do?
I have written to the secratary of some bigwig in Germany (a friend of the brother of my step-mother) to see if she can call and find out. This is frustrating.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
German Bureaucracy Update:
Still nothing from hospital, so, I wrote to the secretary of the friend of my step-mother's brother who helped me two years ago when I had the accident. I stayed with them after Italy, before flying back to America. Very nice people and very, very helpful.
Daniele (the secretary - isn't that a lovely name?) called the hospital and cleared up whatever misunderstanding was causing them to nod and smile and still not send the report. She has it (it was faxed to her) and she's sending it to me today, so I can send it to the brother of my uncle's wife in LA to do something about it.
-------------
This is entire experience has driven home more deeply to me the inherent inequity of my particular position. I mean, trying to do this on my own led to general failure for over a year because I didn't have the slightest idea where to start and the bureaucracy had no reason to listen to me. It's not done yet, but well on it's way, and it is because of (1) Hatrack *hug* I love you all., and (2) family connections. What happens to people without these? It isn't fair.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:It's not done yet, but well on it's way, and it is because of (1) Hatrack *hug* I love you all., and (2) family connections. What happens to people without these? It isn't fair.
I know, sweetie. *warm hug
It's why we have to cast a very critical eye on the "level playing field."
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*hugs CT*
Whoop! All paperwork in. Am sending fax today. Time to wait the second time, but at least it's not because of my slacking anywhere.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Okay, for those who can read German and translate, I have some questions. If its gross, I apologize. I'm just wondering what exactly happened to me.
Commotiouberwachung, operative Versorgung der Skalpierungsverietzung, Schmerztherepie
Belm Fahrradfahren auf Landstrasse von LKW-Spiegel an Hinterkopf erasst worden
Bel Aufnahme Pat nicht orientiert, Amerikanerin, keine Deutschkenntnisse. Skalpierungsverletzung Hinterkopf. DS Li Hufte, Wirbelsaule. DMS opB
Wundversorgung nist Lasche
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
I only know a little german, but it looks like those excerpts mainly talk about you having some injuries to the back of your head.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
The bumps on the back of your head say you crazy woman.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*fingers the back of her head* I do have a very cool scar, but you can't see it because of my hair growing in.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Hmmm...
may not make much sense:
commotion monitoring, operative supply (?) of head injury, pain therapy
injured by a truck mirror while riding a bicycle on a street
patient not oriented at admission. American, no knowledge of German.
Injury on the back of the head
and then something more I don't get.
[ November 11, 2003, 11:10 AM: Message edited by: Kama ]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Okay. Thanks, Kama!
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
'Commotiouberwachung" doesn't exactly make sense, possibly means that you were monitored for or because of a concussion.
"operative Versorgung der Skalpierungsverietzung", you recieved surgery for a partially removed scalp.
"Schmerztherepie" -- pain therapy
'Belm Fahrradfahren auf Landstrasse von LKW-Spiegel an Hinterkopf erasst worden" Struck by the side mirror of a semi-truck while traveling by bicycle on surface road.
"Bel Aufnahme Pat nicht orientiert, Amerikanerin, keine Deutschkenntnisse. Skalpierungsverletzung Hinterkopf. DS Li Hufte, Wirbelsaule. DMS opB"
At admission, patient was disoriented, American, no knowledge of german. Skalp injury on the back of head, DS (possibly bruises) left Hip and spine.
"Wundversorgung nist Lasche"
This is also a bit weird, My best guess is that it means they gave you to close the wound flap.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
I think the last bit may be some internal hospital notation.
[ November 11, 2003, 11:52 AM: Message edited by: fugu13 ]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
More translation needed...please please.
Yay! Albus (the German lawyer) is moving things around and is now going to talk to insurance company and needs power of attorney to do so. He sent me a paper to sign, and I was all ready to sign it and fax it back, and the paranoia kicked in. Can anyone read German? I'm going to type out the paper, and a strict translation isn't necessary. Just what it said.
quote:Vollmacht. 1. zur ProzeBfuhrung (u.a. nach $$ 81 ff. ZPO) einschjieBlich der Befugnis zur Erhebeing und Zurucknahme von Widerklagen:
2. zur Antragstellung in Scheldungs - und Scheidungsfolgesachen, zum AbischluB von Vereinbarungen ube Scheidungsfolgen sowle zure Stellung von Antragen auf Erteilung von Renteri und sonstiegen Versongungsauskunften;
3. zur Vertretung und Verteidlgung in Strafsachen und BulBgeldsachen einshlienBlich der Vorverfahren sowie vur Vertrtung nach 411. StPO, mit ausdruckligher Ermachtigung auch nach 233 1,234 StPO woeie mit ausdrucklicher Ermachtigung zur Empfanghahme von Ladungen nach 145 a II StPO, zur Stellung von Straf und anderen nach der StrafprozeVordnung zulassigen Antragen und von Andtragen nach dem Geselz uber die Entschadgung fur StrafverfolgungsmaBnahmen, insbesondere auch fur das Betragsverfshren;
4. zur Vertrtung in sonstigen Verfahren und bei auBergaerichtilchen Verhandiungen aller Art (insbesondere in Unfasllsachen zur Geltendmachung von Anspruchen gegen Schadiger. Fahrzeughalter und dere Versicherer);
5. zur Begrundung und Aufhebung von Vertragsverhalnissen und zur Abgabe und Entrgagennahme von einseitgen Willenserklarungen (z.B. Kundigungen) in Zusammenhang mit der oban unter "wagen..." gennannten Angelegenheit.
Die Vollmacht gilt fur alle instanzen un erstreckit sich auch auf Negen- und Folgevergaahren aller Art (whole bunch of what looks like German names). Sie unfaBt insbesondere die Befugnis, Zustellungen zu bewirken und enigegenzunehmen, die Vollmacht ganz oder tellweise auf andere zu ubertragen (Untavollmacht), Rechsmitteieinzulegen, zuruckzunehmen oder auf sie zu verzichten, den Rechssteirt oder Voldemort (kidding) auBergerichtiche Verhandlungen durch Vergleich, Verzict oder Anerkenntnis zu erfedigen, Geld, Weirsachen und Urkunden, insbesondere auch den Streitgegenstand und die von dem Gegner, von der Justizkasse oder von sonstigen Stellen zu erstattenden Betrage entrgagensunehmen sowie Atkins (kidding again) Akteneinsicht zu nehmen.
I'm sure there are a thousand typos in there, but if anyone can just tell me the gist, that would be fine. Is that power of attorney? Am I promising anyone money? My firstborn? My library?
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
They are saying you have but three weeks to live, but since you owe them so much money, they've decided to give you 30 years to live instead, and let you pay on time.
But then, my translation is a bit off, considering I don't speak or read German.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Vollmacht = power of attorney
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Ha! I'll fool them. *faxes off address of Evil Katie*
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
zu kompliziert, otherwise.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Yeah? So it IS a power of attorney form. Anything else?
*thinks K.A.M.A. is a wonderful program*
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
too many long words
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
I think it says what cases it is valid for
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*makes a decision* Okay. I'm going to sign it and send it. If it's for something crazy, that's the breaks. *holds breath and signs*
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Yay!!! THIS IS FINALLY OVER!!!
I got an e-mail from Albus this morning - Nasty German Insurance Company wants to settle and they are going to pay for all surgery left that's needed. This is WONDERFUL. I can't believe it's been over five years since the accident. I am OVERJOYED that this is finally over, and so very satisfactorily. This is Europe and not the US so there's no huge settlement or anything, but all I needed was my medical bills taken care of and they will be. Yay!! This is great!!
Thank you, Kama, for your translation help. I'm so glad this is practically over. Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
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CT.
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But when it does, that should lead to the next steps.![[Confused]](confused.gif)
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