What Is a Medical Lien and How Does It Affect Your Personal Injury Case?
If you’ve been injured in an accident and received medical treatment, you may be dealing with a medical lien. Understanding what a medical lien is and how it impacts your personal injury case is crucial to ensuring that your settlement is handled properly.
Understanding Medical Liens
A medical lien is essentially a claim made by a healthcare provider to ensure they are paid from any future settlement or award you may receive from a personal injury case. When you receive treatment after an accident, such as in a hospital after a car crash, the hospital may inquire about the circumstances of your injury and your insurance information. This information is then used to file a medical lien, which secures their right to be paid out of any compensation you receive.
Where Are Medical Liens Filed?
Medical liens are often, but not always, recorded with the recorder’s office. This makes them an official claim on any future settlement or award from your personal injury case. However, it’s important to note that a medical lien is not a lien against your personal assets, such as your home or car. It’s specifically tied to the potential compensation from your personal injury claim and cannot be collected unless there is a resolution in your case.
The Importance of Legal Evaluation
Not all medical liens are valid, and some may be incorrectly filed. This is why it’s crucial to have an experienced medical lien attorney evaluate any liens that have been placed against your potential settlement. At Bache & Lynch, we are well-equipped to assess the validity of these liens and ensure that only those that are legitimate are honored. We work diligently to negotiate these liens when appropriate, helping to maximize the amount of compensation that goes directly to you.
Protecting Your Settlement from Medical Liens
Dealing with medical liens can be complex. At Bache & Lynch, we understand the intricacies of medical liens and their impact on personal injury settlements. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation possible while also addressing any valid liens appropriately.
Contact Bache & Lynch today for a free consultation to discuss how medical liens may affect your personal injury case.