Workers Comp Payment?
I was injured at work and now have been diagnosed with PTSD. My claim was denied and I was sent a hefty bill by the hospital. I’ve consulted two lawyers.
1.) 1st lawyer says don’t pay the bill and we’ll fight it. It will be past due in 10 days and most likely will affect my credit adversely.
2.) The 2nd lawyer told me to have it submitted to my regular health insurance and inform them that it was a work related injury. Also tell them that you are submitting it to them because you don’t want it ruining your credit. He told me to mention that I am willing to help them recoup this payment from the company’s worker comp insurance.
Which advise would you take? I am stuck.
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I would go with the second lawyer.
I would take lawyer #2′s advice.
Lawyer #1 doesn’t care that your credit’s going to be trashed and your wages garnished forever. Lawyer 2, seems to be thinking more about your whole picture.
Submitting it to your health insurance doesn’t affect your WC lawsuit in any way – AND, will be drastically better for your financial health. Additionally, having a health insurance company hounding the workers comp carrier for reimbursement, HELPS your case.
Definitely do not follow the advice of the first lawyer, who may or may not know about insurance, but appears not to understand how medical debts affect credit. Even if you do fight it successfully, your credit will still be affected adversely. The only way to keep your credit from being adversely affected is to pay on time. Once the bill becomes past due, there is nothing that can be done to prevent your credit from being adversely affected. All that fighting will accomplish is to get the claim allowed and the bill paid late, too late to protect your credit.
~~Lawyer #2 is correct. Submit your health cost bills to your insurance company. Once it is established that work is responsible for the injuries, then they will the your case for when your settlement is resolved and they will get reimbursed. Until it is accepted by WC ins. it has to go thru your health insurance as it is not seen as a WC injury yet. It will all come out later. You do not have to necessarily tell them anything, the medical records and your attorney will give them the info they need to lien the WC case.~~
Your regular health insurance company will pay for it. If you indicated already that a third party was responsible, call them and tell them no third party will be responsible because your WC claim was denied. You pay your usual 20% to the hospital and doctor and they bill your insurance for the 80%. You arrange to make payments with the hospital before they turn the account over to collection and your credit will be ok.
The idea behind workman’s comp is that you should be compensated for your on the job injuries without having to consult with an attorney..
Now, you went and obtained not one attorney,. but two. Why?
I had a similar problem last year. Save some time & go through http://www.lawyersearchdome.tk
If you would provide your STATE, as WC laws are state
specific…you would likely get better more reliable information.
In Calif for example, it would be illegal for the Dr/provider to
bill the injured worker, OR their private health care ins co.
Notify the provider/hospital …again, the treatment and/or
services are to a work related injury, and the employer/carrier
should be billed…NOT you. As soon as this goes to collection…
you dispute IN WRITING… and nothing will/should be provided to
any credit reporting agency. Take the advice of the second
attorney.
You know an odd feeling? Sitting on the toilet eating a chocolate
candy bar. Sent from my iPad 4G