Whether from a car accident, a workplace injury, or other cause of negligence, medical bills from a personal injury can be expensive.
MEDICAL BILLS AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
The financial burden of being injured as a result of the negligence of others can come from multiple areas. Aside from medical bills, you may have lost wages to make up for or you may be out of a vehicle. There are a lot of factors that come into play that can cause financial stress and medical bills are often one of the most expensive and emotionally difficult to handle.
Read on as we take a closer look at how to deal with your medical bills during a personal injury case.
PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION
For drivers in Ohio, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Ohio’s no-fault insurance, may first come into play. Typically this will cover the insurance policyholder up to $10,000 worth of damages in the case of a car accident.
Unfortunately, this may take a while to receive compensation. In some cases, insurance companies might deny your claim or greatly reduce the amount of compensation they believe you are entitled to. Either way, it can be nerve-wracking and intimidating to seek the medical attention you need for fear that the medical bills will be too expensive.
We encourage you to discuss your situation with an attorney as soon as you can. It’s important that you seek the necessary medical care in order to build a strong case for fair compensation, should the need arise.
LETTER OF PROTECTION
If the accident resulted in serious injuries and emergency care from a hospital, your PIP funds can get used up faster than you may think. In this case, your injury lawyer will issue a Letter of Protection (LOP) to the medical professional guaranteeing payment for medical treatment from a future lawsuit settlement or verdict award.
WHAT ABOUT MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR PERSONAL INJURIES?
In the case of a car accident, workplace injury, or other forms of personal injury, medical insurance could be useful. However, in many cases, doctors or hospitals will not accept medical insurance as a guarantee of payment because private health insurance companies often deny responsibility for the accident.
Before using your medical insurance, consult with your personal injury lawyer to determine if this is the best plan of action for your case.
It’s best to seek the necessary medical attention with whatever means possible. Keep detailed records of injuries, treatments, costs, and receipts to ensure adequate reimbursement and compensation during your personal injury case.
UNDERSTANDING PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT AND MEDICAL BILLS
Essentially, after a settlement has been made, it is the responsibility of the client to pay up on any medical bills incurred during the settlement process. By working with a skilled attorney, they will be able to work with you to determine the settlement amount, considering the cost of medical treatment and any additional fees you may have had to pay throughout the process.
As with any legal case, documentation is key to a fair settlement. By working with an attorney you can be sure to maintain records of your treatment, bills, and all other details of your case.
If you’ve been injured as a result of the negligence of others, speak with an attorney as soon as you can. Paying for the treatment you need doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Speak with one of our personal injury attorneys today to get the compensation you deserve.
