Understand What A Letter Of Protection (LOP) Is And Why You Would Need One In A Florida Car Accident Case

After being involved in a Florida car accident because of another person’s negligence and suffering severe injuries, it is usually up to a victim to cater for their medical expenses as they wait for reimbursement. A plaintiff generally cannot receive reimbursement for medical expenses unless they have already sought medical help and can prove the expenses incurred. Even in a situation where you sustain a permanent injury, you first need to undergo treatment up to a certain level before you can claim reimbursement for incurred medical expenses and any future expenses your doctor foresees you incurring.

So, what happens if you sustain a severe injury in a car accident because of another person’s negligence and don’t have health insurance? What do you do if your health insurer refuses to cater for your medical bills and you don’t have enough finances to help you settle your bills? This is where a letter of protection comes in. A letter of protection or LOP can help you get medical care while you wait for the insurance company of a negligent party to compensate you.

What Is a Letter of Protection?

A letter of protection is a legal letter that a personal injury attorney creates and sends to their client’s medical provider. It is a letter that guarantees a medical provider that they will be paid from a future personal injury lawsuit settlement or verdict award. Essentially, a letter of protection states that the issuing attorney or law firm guarantees future payments for medical treatment provided to an injured party on credit.

Letter of Protection After an Auto Accident

Often, letters of protection are written in cases involving car accidents. Unfortunately, even if you have health insurance, your insurer might refuse to cater for your medical bills if you get into an auto accident because of another person’s negligence. This is because, when it comes to car accidents involving negligence, many health insurers expect accident victims to look to at-fault parties’ insurance companies.

Are Letters of Protection Legally Binding?

If your medical provider agrees to treat you on credit and receive payment after you obtain a settlement or a verdict award, a LOP will act as a legally binding contract. The stipulations in a letter of protection prevent a medical provider who chooses to enter into such an agreement from demanding immediate payments from their patient.

What Will Happen if I Don’t Receive a Settlement or a Verdict Award?

If you don’t receive a settlement or a verdict award, you will still need to pay off your medical debt. Your medical provider can pursue payments from you like any other type of creditor would. That is why you need to work with a skilled personal injury attorney who can help you obtain compensation.

Legal Help Is Available

Although a letter of protection can be a helpful tool for you if you were severely injured in a car accident because of another person’s negligence and can’t afford to pay your medical bills, you need to discuss this option with an attorney. These contracts come with both benefits and risks, so you must receive expert legal advice. Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at the Pendas Law Firm can offer you expert guidance and help you determine how to proceed with your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

The Pendas Law Firm represents clients in the Miami, Ocala, Fort Myers, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, and Jacksonville areas.

Resource:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.737.html