An unfortunate consequence of many personal injury lawsuits is the presence of lienholders – entities that played a part in the expenses you incurred as a result of your injuries – waiting to come in and take their share of the final award money after you win your case. This can often lead to a much lower settlement than you may want and can be a troublesome surprise after finalizing your personal injury case.
But there’s good news – Personal injury attorneys can help. Read below to learn more about lienholders, and how to deal with them:
What Are Lienholders
There are many different types of lienholders that can lay claim to a portion of your injury settlement. In short, these entities can range from insurance companies to government departments. They are all after one thing: a portion of your settlement to pay for your expenses. This is especially common if the defendant has already paid for your medical costs after an accident, with medical insurance providers taking a percentage of your settlement. It compensates the insurance company for the money they provided for your medical bills so that the injured party is not able to have medical care paid for and also receive payment for their medical bills from the at-fault party. We have listed out some common lienholders below:
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Hospitals
- Insurance Companies
- Veterans Administration
Deal With Lienholders – Hire A Lawyer
Do not panic. While inconvenient, lienholders are a regular part of personal injury law. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t steps you can take to protect as much of your settlement as possible. In fact, many of these figures are actually negotiable – given the right approach. If you’re in a situation where lienholders would like to have a word with you, do not hesitate. Hire a lawyer as soon as possible.
Lawyers have the experience to know how to handle the insurance companies and other lienholders without giving up additional ground. They can fight for your settlement much more efficiently than a client alone. While not all liens can be reduced, individuals who work with an attorney are much more likely to preserve a higher percentage of the money they have been awarded. At the end of the day, having an attorney by your side is an invaluable asset when dealing with these organizations.
Contact Gokal Law
Have you recently been hounded by lienholders? We’ve got your back. Contact Alison Gokal of Gokal Law Group, Inc. Our team will diligently investigate your claims, interview witnesses, and give you the support you need to win your case. The sooner you contact us, the more effective we are at getting you the justice you deserve.
Gokal Law Group is a family firm that treats our clients as if they were our own flesh and blood. We fight for our clients as we would our own children, sisters, brothers, and parents. We are our clients’ Warriors, fighting to bring them justice and right the wrongs they have endured.
Each attorney has a specific practice area for which they are tried, tested, and battle-ready. Each has vast years of experience in their practice area, providing them the knowledge, skills, and vision to fight and win. Learn more about Gokal Law Group.