After you’re hurt in an accident, medical bills start coming in before you really have a chance to get situated. And the more hurt you are, the higher your medical bills will be. While an injury claim can help you get some of those costs back, another option can be a medical lien. Our California personal injury team at Maison Law can guide you through the whole process and answer your questions. Set up a free consultation today.
Should I Get a Medical Lien If I’ve Filed a Personal Injury Claim?
A medical lien is a financing option that many different companies offer people in your position. The way it works is pretty straightforward:
- You enter into an agreement with the hospital or bank where you get medical treatment now, and pay for it later where they take a percentage of any settlement you get.
That can sound tempting, especially early on when you’re not sure what you’re facing in terms of your injuries. But it also works in situations where:
- The responsible person or group doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t offer a policy that covers what happened.
- Your initial out-of-pocket costs are way too much for you to cover right now.
- You need physical therapy or ongoing care.
- You can’t afford a delay in treatment.
Like so many other parts of this process, the right answer depends on your situation. You should know that signing up for a medical lien isn’t a comprehensive answer to what you’re facing. You’re still responsible for bills that your settlement and lien don’t touch. But more to the point, a medical lien is something that cuts into your final settlement.
What’s Included in an Insurance Settlement of My Injury Claim?
Dealing with an insurance company after an accident is pretty frustrating. They control the whole claims process, which means they can use different tactics to tilt things in their favor, like:
- Delaying things to put pressure on you while bills and time off work start adding up
- Making early offers that don’t fully account for ongoing treatment or future costs
- Coming to other settlement offers that focus on the obvious expenses but miss the bigger impact on your life
That’s what makes things like medical liens such an attractive option, at least at first glance. But when you consider that the insurance company is the one that makes the settlement offer, it’s helpful to know what’s ultimately included in it:
- Medical expenses relating to your ER visits, follow-ups, physical therapy, prescriptions, and ongoing care if you’re not fully recovered or will need care down the line
- Lost income from missed work or reduced ability to make a living moving forward
- Repairs or replacement costs for your vehicle and anything else damaged
- Out-of-pocket costs for appointments, medical equipment, and related expenses
If the insurance process isn’t getting you there—whether it’s low offers, delays, or disagreements—you do have another option. Filing a lawsuit moves things into a more structured process, where timelines are enforced and both sides have to put their information on the table.
It also gives you access to fuller damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and a reduced quality of life that cover costs relating to how the injury has affected your daily routine and quality of life.
But one way or the other, if you sign up for a medical lien, what you take home in a settlement is going to be cut into by the lien company. You never want to make a decision out of desperation or confusion, especially when you’re already injured. That’s where our team can step in and help you.
Get Help From Maison Law After a California Accident
After an accident, dealing with treatment and bills at the same time can feel like a lot. If you’ve been offered a medical lien, it can seem like an easy yes—get care now, figure out payment later. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need. But it’s still a decision worth slowing down for.
That’s where Maison Law comes in. We help you look at the full situation before you commit to anything. Our California personal injury lawyers can:
- Walk you through how a medical lien actually works in your case
- Look at the cost of treatment and how it may affect your final settlement
- Keep your care and your claim aligned so one doesn’t create issues for the other
- Handle talks with providers and the insurance company
- Step in if the claim needs to move forward legally to keep things on track
You don’t want to hurt your future just because you’re injured now. Our team can make sure that you’re making an informed decision that keeps your recovery on track. Set up a free consultation today and let us help you through your injury claim.
