3 Steps to Recover Treatment Costs from Negligent 3rd Parties

So a physician, an insurance agent and a patient walk into a courtroom. Sounds like the start of a clichéd joke about a courtroom brawl, right? Instead, imagine the doctor, the insurer and patient entering the courtroom as allies seeking restitution from a negligent third party.

When it comes to accidents and personal injuries, too often those responsible don’t end up paying for their actions. As a result, accident victims, health care providers and the business community face financial hardship. The patient may be bankrupt due to his or her injuries. The physician cared for the patient, and now the bills are overdue. The insurance provider must raise premiums after paying for claims that the responsible party should cover.

Step 1: Determine payment situation while the patient is in your care
When an injured person arrives at a doctor’s office or emergency room, caring for the patient should be the first priority. But payment for services should be the second thing on the physician’s mind, especially if the injuries were caused by the indifference of a third party. Neglecting payment details can create a bad situation for all involved, especially the service provider. Taking the right steps can help the patient and provider avoid crushing debt and allow the insurer to recover some of its costs. As the patient is treated, an accident investigation should begin.

Step 2: Introduce a trustworthy accident investigator
A savvy doctor will immediately call in an investigation company. During the examination and treatment, these skilled investigators can methodically document the injuries via photographs and video and take a statement from the patient about the accident. If legal action appears warranted, the investigation company can take over preparations for a possible court case. It does so by conducting interviews with witnesses, law enforcement and other parties with information about the accident. Investigators can also gather evidence from the accident site, photographically document the scene and, if needed, even recreate the accident for video.

Step 3: If a third party is found responsible, lawyer up
The investigators will compile and analyze the data to determine if third-party negligence caused the accident. They can then connect the patient, insurer and physician with appropriate legal counsel. All parties involved benefit from this swift and aggressive action. A financially strapped patient doesn’t face the humiliation of calls from collection agencies and the possibility of bankruptcy. The physician won’t endure the burden of writing off unpaid invoices. And the insurance company can recoup at least a portion of the price for treating clients who were injured due to third-party carelessness.

The key to achieving the best outcome is a meticulous collection of all the details of the accident and sound analysis of the evidence to determine if a third party bears responsibility. Then, those who have endured a financial burden can obtain restitution from those who should pay. And an accident victim, a doctor and an insurer can walk into a courtroom together and come out with the settlement they deserve.