Understanding Medical Liens After a Car Accident
Some healthcare providers, including chiropractors treating accident injuries, may agree to provide care under a medical lien. If you've been injured in an accident caused by someone else, you may have questions about your legal rights. It's always best to seek advice from an experienced attorney to help you navigate the legal process. Most attorneys offer free consultations, either over the phone or in person, to answer your questions.
Who Pays Medical Bills After a Car Accident?
Many people wonder if the insurance company will pay their medical bills after an injury. Unfortunately, insurance companies often dispute these claims, which is why many people choose to hire an attorney.
Contrary to popular belief, the insurance company that covers the person responsible for the crash is not obligated to pay your medical bills. It is your responsibility to pay them yourself.
However, the insurance company may consider settling and paying your medical bills and other damages if they are presented with strong evidence that their insured is at fault, caused your injuries, and that medical treatment was reasonable and necessary.
What Is a Medical Lien?
Oklahoma law allows medical providers to get paid if the patient receives a settlement or court award. This is known as a medical lien.
A medical lien is a legal arrangement that allows an injured patient to receive necessary medical care now, with payment to the medical provider coming later if the injury case results in a settlement or court award.
If your medical provider is willing to handle your payment arrangements through a medical lien, they must file the necessary documents at the courthouse and provide copies to everyone involved, including all insurance companies and your attorney (if you have one).
Once this is done, if your case settles or wins in court, the paying insurance company must place your medical provider's name on the settlement check or award.
Please note that the medical lien does not attach to your house or personal property. It applies only to your injury case if it settles or wins in court.
How Medical Liens Allow Injured Patients to Begin Treatment
After an accident, many people delay medical care because they are worried about how their treatment will be paid for. In some cases, healthcare providers—including chiropractors who treat accident-related injuries—may agree to provide care under a medical lien.
This arrangement allows injured patients to begin receiving necessary treatment while their legal case is being investigated or negotiated. Instead of requiring immediate payment, the medical provider agrees to be paid from the settlement or court award if the case resolves successfully.
This approach can help ensure that injured patients receive proper evaluation and treatment for their injuries without delaying care while insurance and legal matters are being sorted out.
Many accident injuries involve the neck, spine, and supporting ligaments. Conditions such as whiplash, spinal joint dysfunction, and soft-tissue injuries may not fully appear until hours or days after a crash. If you were recently injured, it can be helpful to learn more about whiplash injuries after a car accident and the types of auto accident injuries we evaluate in our office.
How Medical Liens Affect Loans and Credit
If you are applying for a loan, the processor may ask questions about the lien. Direct them to Oklahoma law (Okla. Stat. Tit. 42 Section 46), which clearly states that the lien is only against the occurrence of an injury settlement or court award and has nothing to do with your credit.
If your case does not settle or you lose in court, you are still responsible for paying the medical bill.
Why Medical Liens Can Benefit Injured Patients
As you can see, having a medical lien against your injury case can be beneficial. It allows you to receive proper care for your injuries while providing your medical provider with a safeguard to ensure they are paid for their services.
Medical liens can help injured patients receive the care they need during a difficult time while their case works its way through the legal process. If you have recently been injured in a crash and have questions about your symptoms, documentation, or treatment options, you can learn more about our approach to auto accident injury evaluation and care
Legal Disclaimer
Please Note: This does not constitute legal advice or establish an attorney-client relationship. If you have legal questions, you should contact an attorney at law.
Our office does not receive kickbacks or incentives for making professional referrals. It’s your responsibility to choose the right team of caregivers and counselors for your unique situation.
