Once you settle a personal injury claim with an insurance company, you cannot reopen it. The company will request you sign a release form to ensure you don’t reopen the case, even if you develop a serious condition after the settlement. Your settlement amount will not generally indicate how to use the funds. This can raise the question; does personal injury settlement include medical bills?
Generally, a personal injury settlement should cover any outstanding medical bills. It should also reimburse you for any out-of-pocket costs related to your medical treatment. That said, it is not uncommon for several parties to bring a medical lien against your settlement.
If you have any questions about your personal injury settlement, contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone to talk to an experienced Jersey City Personal Injury Attorney.
How Do You Handle Medical Liens?
If you are unable to handle your medical bills as your case continues, you can get into a lien agreement with your doctors. This is where you agree to pay your medical bills once you receive your settlement amount. Your doctors can then assert a lien against your settlement amount for their medical bills.
Once you receive your settlement, you have to settle any liens asserted against it. Your doctor will usually work with your attorney to ensure the lien amount is reasonable. Your attorney can negotiate the lien be reduced or removed if it exceeds your settlement amount.
The process of negotiating a lien can be time-consuming. If there are multiple liens asserted against your claim, you could face a delay in receiving your check.
How Can You Pay Your Medical Bills Before Receiving Settlement?
Your settlement should go towards paying your medical bills. However, you might be required to cover these expenses while your claim is still being processed. Possible solutions to this problem include:
- PIP Insurance
Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is an auto insurance policy available to vehicle owners. If you get injured in a car accident, you can use the policy to pay for medical bills and lost income regardless of who was at fault.
PIP coverage will usually cover 80 percent of these costs up to a set limit. Typically, you are not expected to pay back any amount paid by the insurance provider.
- Health Insurance
Since PIP insurance only covers a portion of your expenses to a certain limit, you might need to turn to your health insurance. Your provider can cover any outstanding medical expenses. This will protect your credit by preventing your bills from going into collection.
It is important to note that your health insurance provider can file a lien against your settlement.
Contact a Jersey City Personal Injury Attorney
Does personal injury settlement include medical bills? Yes, your settlement amount should cover your medical bills related to your accident. It should also reimburse you for any bills already paid and provide funds for all future treatment costs.
In some cases, your health insurance provider or doctor will bring a lien against your settlement. Your attorney can then accept or challenge the lien to get it reduced or removed. Any accepted liens will be paid from your settlement amount.
If you were injured in an accident due to another party’s negligence, contact an expert Jersey City Personal Injury Attorney.