After a crash, it’s crucial to seek medical care for any damages you sustain. Unfortunately, several issues can arise, and you may find yourself in a financial hardship once you get your treatment. Medical professionals may provide you with care after a car accident, but how are you going to pay for it? While most people have healthcare insurance, some healthcare institutions may issue a medical lien.
With a medical lien, the healthcare provider would seek payment from your compensation. But it’s not always as simple as it seems.
How It Impacts Your Claim
Typically, when a hospital places a lien on a settlement, they would be paid first before the patient (and accident victim) recovers compensation. The lien would be used to pay for medical bills incurred by the claimant for all treatments they receive.
However, this means the lien can reduce an accident victim’s recovery. For instance, if the settlement is $500,000 and the medical lien is for $50,000, compensation will be reduced to $450,000. For someone dealing with severe harm, losing any amount of compensation can be a challenge.
How to Protect Your Rights
You may find many ways to safeguard your rights when a medical lien is involved. In Iowa, the law states that the hospital holding the lien must pay for some of the attorney’s fees and costs of your claim. You can also speak with a lawyer to determine if you can get the medical provider to write off the lien.
At LaMarca Law Group, P.C., our Des Moines car accident attorneys work to help you understand your rights. We care about getting you results when you need them most. We want to maximize your results so that you may move forward without worrying about the aftermath of a crash. Let us help you every step of the way!
Call our firm today for a free consultation: LaMarca Law Group, P.C..