Who Pays for Medical Bills After an Injury?

The pain and inconvenience of suffering injuries are only made worse by the stress of having to figure out financing for medical bills. But is it up to you to foot the bill? Not necessarily, as paying for treatment isn’t always your responsibility. That’s where personal injury lawyers can help clarify who pays for medical bills after an injury.

Injury Dependent Medical Bill Payment: Who Pays, When?

Understanding who pays for medical bills and in which case isn’t always clear-cut. There are several scenarios in which an injured individual may be eligible for financial compensation toward medical bills.

You Were Hurt in a Car Accident

Car accidents, even minor bumps, can cause the need for medical treatment. Whether severe or less so, the victim may require invasive procedures, spend a period of time in the hospital, or need physical therapy and medications later on in the recuperation process. In the US, this can add up to a significant figure. But who pays?

Now, in the case of car accidents, the driver who caused the incident should be responsible for the medical bills of the other people involved. This is paid through the at-fault driver’s insurance. However, the problem arises when that driver is uninsured. Then, you have to turn to your own insurance company for compensation.

Suffered an Accident at Work?

If you suffer an injury at work, it is expected that the company will pay your medical bills and subsequent treatments on your behalf. Companies have workers’ compensation insurance that covers the costs of any injuries sustained by their employees on the job.

However, sometimes companies shift the blame or are not always as helpful as they could be in these situations. Having professional support and guidance during this time ensures that you receive full coverage of medical bills and compensation for smaller expenditures such as hospital parking, the cost of gas, and so on.

Injured Through Medical Error

What happens if you need to cover the costs of bills after an injury caused by a medical error? This can be complicated if the hospital does not admit culpability, as it involves filing a malpractice lawsuit in order to confirm that the injury was indeed a result of medical negligence.

In this case, the medical bills will initially be paid by your insurance. However, following the result of the lawsuit, if it is concluded that a medical error has occurred, then your insurance company will recover the costs from the hospital’s or the medical practitioners’ malpractice insurance.

Harmed by a Defective Product

The products that we use have gone through rigorous health and safety tests, so we trust that we won’t come to harm. Though every now and again, some defective products slip through the net and end up being sold to unknowing customers.

Best best-case scenario is that the product breaks without injuring anyone. However, a defective product can cause burns, cuts, and other issues requiring medical treatment. So, who pays for the medical bills in this situation?

The responsibility falls on the manufacturer of the product, and in some cases, the retailer, too. Firstly, the healthcare costs will be covered by your insurance, and then, after a successful claim, the costs will be recovered from the manufacturer’s or retailer’s product liability insurance.

In this instance, it is essential that there is sufficient proof that the product was faulty or provided no instructions, or had incorrect instructions. A personal injury lawyer will be able to support you with the gathering of evidence to strengthen your case.

What if the Injury was Completely or Partly Your Fault?

Sometimes, the evidence stacks up in your favor, and it is obvious that you were not at fault.  Let’s say the finger points at you. Do you have to pay for your own medical costs?

Or perhaps, the line between who was at fault is slightly more blurred. Under comparative negligence laws, followed by most states in the US, the costs for injuries and damages are shared. In contrast, individuals in regions where the contributory negligence rule is in operation won’t be able to receive any damages if they were partially at fault.

Can Costs Be Recovered Later?

In the event of an accident, the main aim is to get an individual on the road to recovery. Although important, finances should be an afterthought in emergency situations. Therefore, costs can be recovered later if the individual has had to pay out of pocket or use their own insurance.

There may be other costs you haven’t considered that can be compensated for. Follow-up treatments, doctors’ appointments, medication, rehabilitation, and assistive devices can all be added to your claim.

When is Getting the Right Legal Help Essential?

Simple injury cases where both parties are transparent about their part to play in the accident may be wrapped up neatly without any expert intervention. Though there are red flags to look out for that may suggest that you need a professional personal injury lawyer on your side.

Where the injuries sustained are severe or in need of ongoing treatment, the footing of medical bills becomes a serious matter on both sides. The party at fault may try to limit costs by downplaying the extent of the injuries, while the injured individual emphasizes the need for ongoing treatment. Here, a personal injury lawyer will support the individual and fight for continued coverage of medical bills.

If, after an injury, an insurance company is delaying payment or even rejecting your claim, the only way to overcome this obstacle is with professional help. Personal injury lawyers are experienced in negotiating with insurance brokers. These companies do not want to pay out or cover medical bills, and may need an extra push to do so.

Where there are multiple insurance policies involved, and the paperwork is beginning to get messy, you may need to call upon a professional to clear things up. Insurance companies may take advantage of your uncertainty, and you could walk away without the benefits you are entitled to.