Medical Expenses: Personal Injury Compensation
When you have been injured due to another person’s carelessness (“negligence”), you are entitled to receive monetary damages for all the medical costs and expenses you incurred because of the incident.
Suppose you were injured in a car accident that was not your fault. Paramedics responded to the scene, an ambulance transported you to the hospital. After you arrived, you were treated by emergency staff who performed diagnostic tests such as X-rays and a CT scan. They determined that you required surgery and a lengthy hospital stay. Afterwards, you still needed physical therapy, prescription medications, and mobility aids.
The at-fault party must pay all these expenses, as well as expenses related to your future medical care, including doctor visits, medication, and treatments like physical therapy.
It is likely that you have health insurance that will pay for the bulk of these costs. In that case, the health insurance company may place a settlement lien against your claim for the amount they paid. This means when your settlement is paid, the amount of the health insurance company’s lien will be deducted from your payment.
It is important for you to keep track of all your out-of-pocket costs, such a co-pays and all injury-related medical expenses not covered by insurance, to make sure you are reimbursed for them.