When a client has been injured and is seeking representation from a lawyer to pursue compensation for their medical bills, their lawyer might send what is called a letter of protection (LOP). A letter of protection is sent to a doctor or a medical provider to request that their client’s medical bills are held for collection and a promise that the doctor will be paid with the compensation from the personal injury case.
When someone has been in an accident and their injuries are severe, it’s not uncommon for medical treatment costs to be exorbitant and for patients to have trouble paying them as they receive medical care. This is often a result of a patient not having medical insurance or having inadequate coverage.
Let’s go over what a letter of protection is and whether you should talk to a personal injury attorney about your medical bills.
Why Would I Need a Letter of Protection?
A letter of protection acts as a contract between you, your personal injury attorney, and your medical provider to ensure that you get the proper medical treatment even though you are unable to pay for it immediately. This letter acts as a type of “credit” in exchange for a promise that the medical professionals will be paid out of the earnings from the personal injury case.
A letter of protection can be sent out to help victims of many types of injuries including car accidents, slip, and fall accidents, or accidents due to the negligence or mal intent of others. A letter of protection can help a patient arrange medical care they need—such as physical therapy, CT scans, or MRIs—in advance of getting compensated from a court judge or out-of-court settlement, which could take a long while.
Why Won’t My Insurance Company Take Care of My Bills?
If your injuries were sustained through a car accident, you might expect that your auto insurance company would foot the bill so that you can get proper medical treatment right away. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The problem is that automobile liability insurance companies don’t typically pay for your medical expenses as you go along—and for many injuries, you can’t afford to wait to seek treatment. Instead, these insurance companies will wait until you pay for all your own medical expenses and then submit them in a group once it’s time to settle the case.
The letter of protection will help you continue to get the treatment that you need right away when you can’t afford to do this on your own.
Have you been injured in a car accident in Georgia and need the services of a personal injury legal team who knows your rights? Call the Fry Law team at 404.969.1284.
