When you get in an accident, the last thing you want to do is worry about paying your medical bills. This is even more so the case if the accident was caused by another party.
When you need immediate medical care and you are waiting on a settlement, a letter of protection (LOP) can help with handling the insurance company and other factors.
Let's take a closer look at what a letter of protection is, how it works in personal injury cases, and how you and your personal injury attorney can work together to decide if you need one.
A letter of protection (LOP) is sometimes used as a tool in a personal injury case. This is an advance loan made to the injured party, whose health bills will be paid by the defendant once the court has decided who is at fault for the injuries.
This type of letter of protection is most often used when an injured plaintiff has mounting medical costs but no means upfront to cover them while they wait to receive their compensation from their injury case.
Letters of protection are used in personal injury cases and often include the following types of accidents:
The letter of protection is a legal document that guarantees the healthcare provider will be paid on time at the conclusion of the persona injury case. The injured person and their lawyer promise in the LOP that they will use the settlement received from the personal injury case to pay back the doctor or hospital providing care.
A LOP can make a world of difference to the medical care and living expenses of some people who would otherwise not be able to afford treatment.
When you're injured in an accident, it can take a long time for your insurance to cover the cost of your medical bills. Plaintiffs can win large settlements while avoiding upfront medical costs with letters of protection.
Your auto insurance plan will not cover medical expenses as you incur them. You are responsible for the costs of all your treatments and then must later submit them to the insurance company after you have received them.
When the documents are ready and you've signed off on them, the insurance company will then offer you a settlement. If this is not possible, it's probably best to reach out to a lawyer.
Letters of protection allow you to continue receiving the medical care you need when your case is in litigation. And they can be a handy tool when you have a complex medical case. In addition, letters of protection can provide other benefits, depending on your situation. Sometimes, the doctor who accepts your letter of protection may be more involved in your case and be more willing to testify on your behalf.
A letter of protection does not solve all the financial losses that a personal injury case may present. However, there are also benefits to using a LOP. For instance, if you lose your personal injury case, your healthcare providers will still receive compensation for their services because of the LOP. And most likely, this compensation will not be at full cost; it may be discounted due to the insurance policy in place.
Regardless, if you have medical bills following an accident and you are awaiting settlement, it’s important to talk to your lawyer about a letter of protection so that you are financially protected.
A letter of protection is extremely helpful when you and your personal injury attorney agree to pursue settlement options. This form of medical planning can reduce the concerns and expenses involved in emergency treatment.
To request a letter of protection, contact your personal injury lawyer. They will draw up the document and work with your medical bill companies to come to an agreement before the settlement is reached.
This letter includes your name, injuries, nature of the accident, and medical care costs. The LOP will also include your lawyer's information and a promise to make the payments in full at that time.
If you have adequate health insurance coverage, you can use this to cover your medical expenses following an accident.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the benefit of health insurance. And, almost always, the insurance will not cover the cost of procedures immediately. If you don't have insurance but need a costly medical procedure like surgery, LOPs can be helpful. It also helps to use a LOP if you don’t want to use up your insurance, especially in an accident case you didn’t cause.
LOPs also relieve defendants of having to deal with complications with their insurance company, including disputes over who is liable for the accident and who is responsible for payment. In this case, use a letter of protection until the case is settled so you are not forced to pay out of pocket for an accident you did not cause.
Some insurance companies try to discredit doctors when they use LOPs to reduce their premiums. They claim that the doctor has a financial incentive to support your claim, making them more likely to give you an inappropriate diagnosis; this is where you need to have an attorney who is not afraid to go up against such tactics and fight for what you deserve.
The insurance company may argue that your doctor is trying to help you win compensation so they will be paid by the insurance company. However, if you have a skilled legal representative, they will be able to advise you about whether this is a concern in your case and how you should proceed.
If you're injured in a car accident or slip and fall, take advantage of the letter of protection (LOP), a valuable legal tool that can benefit injury victims and keep you from paying out of pocket for your medical expenses.
Insurance companies can make this process difficult. To make sure they’re paid properly and consistently, LOPs can help to lower the medical bills after an accident.
It would be best to have a lawyer who will protect your rights, so you do not want to take a risk. You deserve to be represented by an attorney you can trust, with a thorough understanding of the law.
Our personal injury attorneys have handled countless cases and use our expertise to win victories for our clients. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to someone else's negligence, and are concerned about how to pay for medical treatment, let us know. We can help by explaining your legal options. If our firm is the right choice for your case, we will aggressively fight for your right to maximum compensation for your claim.
At Rose Sanders Law Firm, PLLC, we are passionate about helping individuals who were injured due to another person's negligence get their lives back on track. We understand what kind of financial burden you may be experiencing because of your injury. Medical bills, prescription medications, diagnostic tests, and out-of-pocket expenses can quickly accumulate into thousands of dollars in medical bills. Our personal injury attorneys have the experience and skills necessary to recover compensation to help pay for your accident-related expenses, including past and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and disability.
When you need immediate medical care and you are waiting on a settlement, a letter of protection can help with handling the insurance company and other factors.
Letters of protection are most often used when an injured plaintiff has mounting medical costs but no means to cover them up front while they wait to receive their compensation from their injury case.
Letters of protection are used in personal injury cases:
It would be best to have a lawyer who will protect your rights, so you do not want to take a risk. You deserve to be represented by an attorney you can trust and with a thorough understanding of the law.
Contact our personal injury attorneys at Rose Sanders Law Firm PLLC. We have handled countless cases and use our expertise to win victories for our clients.
1 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100
Houston, TX
77046
(713) 538-2723
https://www.rosesanderslaw.com/houston-law-office
Dallas Location
3232 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, TX
75204
(713) 538-2723
https://www.rosesanderslaw.com/dallas-law-office
McAllen/Hidalgo County Location
3232 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, TX
75204
(713) 538-2723
https://www.rosesanderslaw.com/mcallen-law-office
