• In the end, the insurance company for the negligent defendant pays the  medical bills
• In most cases, the insurance company will not pay until the plaintiff has completed the medical treatment
• The problem is that the injured plaintiff needs medical treatment now
• I work closely with my clients to help manage these problems

In the cases I handle we are usually looking to the defendant’s insurance company to pay the medical bills and other damages. In the same way that the insurance company challenges the liability facts of the accident, the insurance company will challenge the plaintiff’s medical treatment and medical bills. In most cases the insurance company will not pay the medical bills until the plaintiff has completed the medical treatment and the insurance company has an opportunity to scrutinize the treatment, the bills and the plaintiff’s prognosis.

The problem is that the injured plaintiff needs medical treatment now, which means the amount of the medical bills is rising on almost a daily basis. Not only is the plaintiff under the stress of the injury but on top of that is the stress of paying for the treatment. I work closely with my clients to help manage these problems. For example you may have PIP on your own insurance policy that will help with medical bills and co-pays.

THE PLAINTIFF WITH HEALTH INSURANCE: This provides the injured plaintiff with the best opportunity to receive needed medical treatment immediately. The downside is that most health insurance policies have deductibles and co-pays which increase the financial pressure on the plaintiff. The health insurance company will have a subrogation interest to get paid back when the case is resolved.  

THE PLAINTIFF WITH NO HEALTH INSURANCE: This is the toughest situation for the injured plaintiff. Most health care providers want to be paid up front or they want health insurance to pay. There are some health care providers who will work with the plaintiff, but these options are few and limited. These providers are paid when the case is resolved

MEDICAID/MEDICARE: Sometimes the injured plaintiff is covered by Medicaid or Medicare. The good news is that the plaintiff can receive needed medical treatment. The bad news is that dealing with Medicaid and Medicare is difficult and slow. These federal entities require repayment when the case is resolved.

THE NEGLIGENT DEFENDANT PAYS THE BILLS. In the end the insurance company for the negligent defendant pays the medical bills.

Contact Jim Hippard to discuss your case, 713.861.9966.

James Hippard Jr., a Houston personal injury lawyer, has been providing legal representation for people involved in auto accidents for over 25 years. His years of experience as a Houston auto accident attorney, Houston wrongful death lawyer and Houston truck accident lawyer have led to an understanding as to what it takes to win a case. As a leading Houston personal injury lawyer he handles personal injury cases that include but are not limited to the following types of injuries: whiplash injury, torn rotator cuff injury, neck injury, catastrophic injury, low back injury, spine injury, broken arm injury, broken leg injury, shoulder injury, hand injury, elbow injury, knee injury, , loss of consciousness injury, closed head injury, concussion injury and broken ankle injury.