Should I Discuss Payment Of Medical Bills With My Personal Injury Attorney?

An individual should discuss the payment of medical bills with their personal injury attorney. When a hospital knows that an attorney is on the case, they will often hold off on trying to collect payment. This can alleviate a lot of stress because it will stop bill collectors from calling. If a hospital doesn’t hold off on trying to collect, then they might accept a piecemeal payment of just a few dollars per month while the plaintiff’s attorney fights it out with the defendant’s insurance company.

Should I Allow My Health Insurance To Cover My Medical Bills While Waiting For My Settlement?

A plaintiff who has been injured in an accident should allow their health insurance to cover their medical bills while they wait for their settlement. If health insurance pays, the plaintiff will wind up with more money in their pocket in the end. This is because if a plaintiff has a $10,000 hospital bill, health insurance will pay about $3,000 of it and write off the rest because of a deal that they have reached with the hospital system. At the end of the case, the health insurance company will have a $3,000 lien on a $10,000 bill, and the plaintiff’s attorney will have been able to collect more than $10,000. This means that the plaintiff would receive over $10,000 in compensation and only owe approximately $3,000. And even then, the $3,000 lien can be negotiated down from there.

Will All My Future Medical Costs Be Taken Into Account In A Personal Injury Settlement?

Future medical bills are an important part of a large case. For example, if a plaintiff needed a lumbar fusion surgery as a result of their injuries, the chances are greater that they will need a second lumbar fusion surgery within five to 10 years of the first. Although a doctor would not be able to say exactly when a person would need that second surgery, they could simply state that the patient is at a greater risk for needing one. Illinois case law allows a plaintiff to seek damages for future surgery, as long as the cost of the surgery can be quantified. The innovative way to quantify future costs is to hire an expert who will provide testimony on the type of surgery that will likely be needed. In addition, a life care planner will consider the cost of the future surgery and the life expectancy of the plaintiff in order to estimate total future costs related to the injury. We then provide the life planner’s report to an economist who will put the costs in present value terms. In summary, future medical costs will absolutely be considered in a personal injury settlement, but quantifying them will require expert assistance and testimony.

For more information on Payment Of Medical Bills By Health Insurance, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (312) 986-8063 today.