What Can I do Following an Orthopedic Injury?
Following an injury, you should always seek medical attention. Even if you cannot make payment immediately, you will have options for payment, especially if you are filing a personal injury claim.
If your injury resulted from an accident at which you were not at fault, waiting too long to seek a diagnosis and treatment could eliminate your chances in receiving compensation for your injuries in a personal injury lawsuit.
Make sure to keep track of all your medical bills and treatment expenses (including mileage and lost wages) as they will help determine your possible economic compensation in a lawsuit. You should also inquire about a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Compensation for Injuries
If you are injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, personal injury attorneys can help you with the following issues:
- Negotiating with your or the other party’s insurance company
- Filing workers comp and protecting your job
- Filing a personal injury claim
- Negotiating with medical bill collectors
- Helping medical professionals set up a medical lien (if applicable)
In addition to saving your medical bills, you should note any extra expenses that are required during treatment, including gas expenses and lost wages for the time you were unable to work.
If your injuries also contributed to other expenses, such as a new expense on your house or paying for babysitters to assist the family while you are incapacitated, these also should be provided to the personal injury attorney assisting you with your claim.
Medical Liens
If you have initiated a personal injury claim on a serious injury, such as an orthopedic injury, some medical professionals will treat you and bill you in the form of a medical lien.
This works as a sort of “promissory note” from the medical biller, allowing you to pay your medical expenses from your damages won in a personal injury lawsuit.
You should consult your personal injury attorney on using medical liens to receive medical treatment. They can make sure that the arrangement is in your best interest and will not allow you to be held for so much money that a personal injury lawsuit no longer makes sense.
In cases where a medical lien is not available, your attorney may be able to negotiate for a lower payment amount, or you could go on a payment plan until your personal injury case is resolved.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
In a personal injury claim, you and your attorney initiate the process by submitting evidence that you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence and/or misconduct.
You will need a firm number on the extent of your medical costs and expenses in order to seek damages. Because there is a 2-year statute of limitations from the time of the accident, you must not delay seeking medical attention and submitting your claim.
The at-fault party’s insurance company and attorneys have time to respond to your claim with an admission of guilt and/or a settlement offer.
Often, even in cases where the at-fault party offers a reasonable settlement, the entire process could take months and years to resolve. Your attorney will advise you on whether it is in your best interest to accept a settlement.
What is most crucial in the immediate aftermath of the injury is that you seek medical care. If you win a personal injury lawsuit, the damages awarded to you should more than compensate you for your expenses and inconvenience.
Often, orthopedic injuries heal and allow you to return to work. Being able to return to work will make your finances more manageable for you and your family while you are waiting for your personal injury claim to resolve.
For more information about how a local Mesa attorney can help you with your accident case, contact Ray Arenofsky at 480-345-0444 or visit our website.
