This is my next post in a series of articles which will address dealing with medical bills after a car accident in Peoria, Illinois. My last article discussed how a lawyer can reduce medical liens by negotiating with medical providers and insurers. A person may unable to settle without a reduction in liens if the settlement would not be enough to cover the expenses. In this article, I will address how part of an attorney’s job is to keep track of and understand a client’s medical progress and stay in touch with doctors and hospitals. Doing this protects a victim’s rights and increases the chance of getting a fair settlement. If you have been hurt in a car accident and need assistance then contact my office to speak with a Peoria personal injury lawyer.
The initial stages of a personal injury case include having the client sign a HIPAA release. This form gives an attorney legal permission to speak with the medical providers and request records. Doctors cannot share private information without such a release. The HIPAA form is essential because it allows a lawyer to gather records from all relevant places. This may include your primary care physician, hospitals, physical therapists, imaging centers, chiropractors, or specialists. An attorney will then contact each provider and request that medical records and bills be sent directly to their office. They will ask that updates continue to be sent as treatment progresses. Reaching out early ensures that nothing is missed and that all parts of a victim’s care are included in the case.
An experienced attorney will stay in touch with their client’s providers to get updated records and bills as medical treatment continues. This is important because medical care does not always follow a set schedule. New injuries can be diagnosed, an injured individual may be referred to another doctor, or recovery may take longer than expected. A lawyer will follow up with each provider to make sure they have the most current information about diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Staying in contact also keeps the provider updated on progress for a potential settlement. So, communication between providers and an attorney is useful for both documentation and planning how the case will resolve.
The next step is for an attorney to gather all medical bills and records and prepare a settlement demand when treatment is near completion. This is a formal request sent to the insurance company that outlines an individual’s injuries, costs, and damages. A lawyer will keep a running total of your medical bills to know the value of the case. Once a settlement offer is made, an attorney will begin negotiating any liens that medical providers or health insurance companies may have. Reducing these liens helps to make sure more of the settlement goes to the victim. It is important to know that liens are only for care you have already received rather than for future treatment. An attorney will typically advise waiting until an individual’s medical condition is stable and a final prognosis is known before settling.
If you have been hurt in a car accident in Peoria or the surrounding area then contact my office to speak with an injury lawyer. I believe that every individual is deserving of respect and quality legal representation. Part of that includes speaking with medical providers, gathering records, and working to reduce liens. Reach out online or by phone today to get started. My firm also serves clients in the Illinois cities of Bloomington, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington.
