Four commonly asked questions regarding personal injury claims
It’s natural to have questions when considering a personal injury claim. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions people have when handling legal proceedings following an injury caused by another’s negligence.
How will my medical bills be covered?
In car accidents, your own auto insurance, most commonly referred to as the personal injury protection (PIP) carrier or no-fault carrier, will cover your injury-associated medical bills and lost earnings up to the limits of your policy. The same coverage applies to pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles. Under some circumstances, multiple PIP policies may apply in order to cover the totality of these losses. Other ways also exist to cover medical bills. Some of these include worker’s compensation, Medicaid or Medicare, or personal health insurance. In addition, in the event you were injured on a business premises, there might be a premises policy available. When no such coverages exist, some physicians will agree to keep treating you while withholding fees until after the settlement of your claim.
How can I recover lost wages?
For auto accident claims, the previously mentioned personal injury protection (PIP) or no-fault policy for your vehicle may include coverage for lost wages. Such policies often provide coverage for medical bills as well. Your attorney will help you in determining whether or not PIP benefits ought to be utilized for the payment of lost wages, medical bills, or both. It’s also a possibility that your claim might involve worker’s compensation which can also provide compensation for lost wages. Past, present, and future lost wages may also be included in a liability compensation case.
What is a letter of protection?
Some doctors will agree to provide you with treatment for injuries related to an accident despite the fact that your auto or health insurance cannot compensate them immediately. Such doctors will usually agree to treat you under the condition of you agreeing to sign what’s known as a letter of protection. A letter of protection is a written agreement stating that the doctor will, in fact, be paid upon the conclusion of your personal injury claim.
What is a health insurance lien?
Most often, medical bills will be covered by one’s personal health insurance, a worker’s compensation policy, or Medicaid/Medicare. If any of these providers do pay your medical bills, they will create a lien against your final personal injury claim settlement.. Basically, they are attempting to be reimbursed for the medical expenses they have covered for you during the course of your treatment. A lien is just a guarantee stating that once your case has been settled and damages recovered, their payment will arrive out of the sum that you recover for your injuries. The attorneys at Los Angeles Injury Group will discuss with you the best ways to consider these liens in negotiating a fair settlement. Your attorneys will also assist in negotiating these liens to levels that are affordable when your claim is complete.
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Sources:
https://www.losangelesinjurygroup.com/practice-areas/accident/workers-compensation-lawyer/
https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0150-seniors/0300healthplans/index.cfm