You may have heard this story out of Dothan. An uninsured woman is charged more than $50,000 for a procedure that usually costs an insured person about $6,000. Plus, this Dothan woman had been paying on the bill each month for 3 years.
Then the lawyers stepped in.
In this case, it was the non-profit group Legal Services of Alabama. Guess what? The hospital is now willing to accept about $5,000 to settle the case.
Here is what I see and do most every day for my injured clients — negotiate with medical providers. There are several reasons I am often able to get a lower bill than when people go it alone.
First, the expenses of a lawsuit. Lawsuits can be expensive to defend, no matter if you are guilty or not.
Second, I find that juries in Alabama don’t look very kindly on businesses seen as exploiting injured folk.
Third, it is better to get something — than to get nothing. I usually arrange that if the medical providers accept less, they will get paid.
Now don’t misunderstand what I am saying. Medical lawsuits are some of the most difficult lawsuits in personal injury. Plus, if a doctor or hospital wants to fight, it can take years.
Sometimes the best that the legal system can do is let people pay over a very long time. This is referred to as “the slow bleed.” Sadly, some people in our state will literally pay $5 or $10 a month for the rest of their lives.
Of course, my job for my injured clients is to get their bills paid by the person who injured them.
If you are hurt in a traffic accident or suffer a personal injury, you can talk to us at the Law Firm of Eiland and Ritchie for free. We want to help you get back on your feet.
Also, join us on NBC 15 LawCall here in Mobile every Sunday night at 10:30 right after the news. We will take your calls live.
Allen Ritchie
Alabama Personal Injury Lawyer