What Happens To Your Bills While You Pursue An Injury Claim?

Among the biggest worries that clients will often express to a personal injury lawyer are those involving bills. Life doesn't stop costing money, even if your life has been knocked radically off course in the meantime. This is an issue that's important to address so you can invest the time required to try to reach a settlement or pursue a lawsuit. Here's what you need to know about how bills are usually handled by clients.

Medical Bills

It's probably odd to hear that the potentially biggest bills you'll face may be the ones that you'll have the easiest time dealing with. The standard tool of doctors, hospitals, and clinics that are dealing with patients who are pursuing injury cases is what's known as the medical lien. Essentially, a medical lien gives those parties a claim on their portion of any settlement or judgment you might arrive at.

A personal injury lawyer can't emphasize strongly enough how important it is to keep track of all the bills you're asked to pay. You have the right to make medical professionals justify the bills they send you, and you should exercise it by asking for a complete report. Likewise, a full reporting of your medical bills will be necessary for pursuing your claim anyhow.

Mortgages, Rent, and Utility Bills

These are the toughest ones to deal with. If possible, try to enter into an arrangement where you pay whatever might be reasonable. Offering a lien to creditors is also an option, but don't expect them to be as flexible as the medical bills might be.

It is possible to seek disability payments while you wait for an injury settlement. Be aware, however, these payments may be reduced once you get compensation from your case.

Attorney's Fees

The typical personal injury lawyer works on what's called a contingency basis. Effectively, your attorney, if they accept your case, only gets paid if they succeed in getting compensation for you. This means you won't have to pay your lawyer's bills until settlement or judgment money comes in.

A lawyer will usually add their expenses to the pile. Even mundane items are typically billed, such as the cost of paper for filing briefs and notices. If an expert witness had to be hired, these costs will be paid by the attorney up front. However, you will owe that money to the personal injury lawyer. Generally, an attorney will ask for their cut directly from the court.

When it comes to paying your bills after an injury, don't settle. It's recommended you reach out to a personal injury lawyer and see what works for your case.

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