What is a letter of protection from an attorney? A letter of protection is a document that helps persons who have suffered injuries in an accident get help with medical treatment costs. It is one of multiple letters that a law firm can send after an accident on behalf of client, in addition to spoliation letters and more. After an accident, you may not have the necessary funds to pay for your medical treatment.
Insurance companies will not begin paying your medical costs immediately. The insurer will pay the medical costs only after all your bills are paid. You will receive damages for medical costs when a settlement is finalized.
So who pays for your medical expenses until then?
The answer to that lies in the letter of protection drafted by your Bucks County personal injury lawyer. A letter of protection is a contract between you, your lawyer and your medical provider. The letter of protection will ask the healthcare or medical provider to treat you for your injuries and inform him or her that the cost of the treatment will be paid out later once your settlement funds have arrived.
Do I really need a letter of protection?
Medical treatment expenses in Northeast Philly can be exorbitant. In addition to medical care and hospitalization, you will have to pay for medications, doctor fees and consultations with specialists like orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors and neurologists. You may not have the funds to pay all the expenses on your own, and you won’t get insurance payments until a settlement is reached.
What will a typical letter of protection contain?
In a typical letter of protection, your attorney will address the doctor involved in your care and inform him or her that you do not have the funds necessary to cover the cost of your care. The letter will inform the doctor that that the personal injury lawyer has taken your case and expects to recover compensation for your losses. The letter will assure the doctor that he or she will be paid in full when the cash settlement is received.
The letter makes it clear that the outstanding dues will be deducted from the cash settlement and paid to the doctor first before the settlement money is handed over to the client. The letter of protection will stipulate that the doctor not bill you as long as the case is in the settlement stage and not to refer your case to debt collection agencies or take other steps to hurt your credit score during that time.
When you do receive the cash settlement, any outstanding medical dues are cleared using funds from the settlement. The lawyer clears the doctor’s outstanding debt first.
Every lawyer is required to honor the letter of protection. This is not just a letter asking the doctor to treat you for free while your case is in court. A lawyer must pay the doctor any outstanding dues as soon as the cash settlement is received. Failure to do so can result in legal action against the lawyer.
If you have suffered injuries in an accident and are having trouble paying your medical bills, you likely are eligible for compensation. Call to hire a lawyer at Cordisco & Saile and get a letter of protection from an attorney sent to your medical care providers today: 215-642-2335.
