When injured, whether in a car crash or slip-and-fall, you may find your injuries require emergency medical attention. As such, you may leave the hospital to find a lien placed against you after receiving treatment. However, you may not know what this entails since this is a complex process. If injured due to the negligence of another person, you’ll want to keep reading to discover more about this process. You’ll also learn how a Tom Green County, Texas personal injury lawyer can assist you when facing a lien.
What Is a Lien?
A lien is a claim that a third party can place against you to ensure they receive compensation. Though commonly associated with real estate or property, they are common in personal injury cases. Essentially, if you are injured and need to receive emergency medical attention, the hospital will treat your injuries without first discussing insurance information. However, you’ll find they often receive discounted payments from your insurance company, or your insurance provider may not want to make the payment if the negligent party has auto insurance. As such, placing a lien against your lawsuit settlement allows the hospital to receive full compensation for the services they’ve provided.
It’s important to understand that if you do not win your personal injury case or the settlement amount is less than the lien, you’re likely responsible for repaying the amount out of pocket.
What Happens if I Think the Lien is Unfair?
There are a few instances in which you may believe a lien is unfair. Though they generally seem straightforward, they can often leave the victim suffering even more.
If you believe a lien is unfair, an attorney can help you navigate these complex situations. Generally, your attorney can negotiate the amount of the lien to fight for you to receive the most compensation possible.
Similarly, it’s necessary to consider that a lien must be legally valid. For example, a lien in Texas can only occur if you received treatment within 72 hours of the incident and can only cover expenses incurred within the first 100 days of treatment.
How Can an Attorney Help Me?
When facing a personal injury lawsuit, it’s not uncommon for a hospital to capitalize on your injuries by placing a lien against your settlement amount. As such, it’s vital to enlist the assistance of an experienced attorney. Not only will they help you negotiate unfair or invalid liens against you, but an attorney can also help you focus on holding the negligent party responsible.
At the Mathis Law Firm, protecting victims is our priority. As such, our dedicated legal team will work tirelessly to help you receive the justice you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how we will fight for you when you’ve been injured.
