It’s no secret that healthcare can be incredibly expensive, and navigating insurance and hospital bills following an accident caused by the negligent actions of another person can be downright overwhelming. However, when you add medical liens to the mix, you may be unsure of the impact this can have on your personal injury settlement. If this reflects your circumstances, the following blog explores what you should know about these liens, their impact, and the importance of working with an Ouachita Parish, Louisiana personal injury lawyer to explore your legal options during these complicated matters.
What Are Medical Liens?
When you receive medical care following an accident and you do not have the insurance or funds to cover the care you receive, a lien can be placed against you to help ensure that the medical provider or their hospital receives compensation for the care provided. This ensures you can get the care you need while allowing medical practitioners to be paid for their services.
You’ll also find that if you do have insurance, your insurer can place a lien on the award you receive to recover compensation for the medical bills they’ve paid on your behalf. Just as a medical provider or healthcare facility can recoup a portion of your settlement, so can your insurance company.
Regardless, a lien will be placed through the parish recorder’s office, which grants them the right to be paid from a settlement awarded to someone who has received care.
How Will a Lien Affect a Settlement Award?
It’s important to understand that when a lien is placed against you, it will also serve as a legal claim for any future settlements you win in a personal injury case. This means the hospital or provider reserves the right to take a portion of your settlement to cover the cost of the care you’ve received. Unfortunately, this means a significant portion, if not all of your settlement award, can be taken to cover the cost of treatment.
You should note, however, that you may be able to negotiate a lower amount, which would allow you to retain a significant portion of your award compensation.
However, you should not try to negotiate this amount on your own. Instead, it is imperative to obtain the assistance of an experienced attorney with Breithaupt, DuBos, & Wolleson, LLC. Our dedicated personal injury team can not only assist you in the fight for the justice and compensation you deserve for the damages you’ve suffered at the hands of a negligent party, but we can assist you in negotiating the lien amount so you can keep as much of your settlement as possible. When you are hurt and need help, do not hesitate to contact our firm today.