In the blink of an eye, a severe slip and fall accident can result in thousands of dollars in medical bills. Though it isn’t your fault, you may feel overwhelmed at the unexpected healthcare costs as a result of your sudden injury. Who pays the medical bills in a slip and fall case? What is the property owner expected to pay? What if you don’t have health insurance? The answers to these questions may surprise you.
The responsibility of the injured party
In most cases, the injured person is responsible for his or her initial medical bills with one exception: if the property owner has what is called “med pay” or medical payments coverage. If a med pay policy is in place, the insurer will pay for medical care and associated costs up to a specific (or capped) amount. Anything over that amount is, once again, the responsibility of the injured party.
The financial burden of accidents or injuries is a significant concern of many of our clients. From testing and emergency room visits to surgery, costs can quickly add up. That is one of the reasons why it is essential that you contact an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced premises liability attorney can walk you through the process of dealing with medical bills and the costs of treatment after a slip and fall accident.
The responsibility of the property owners
As mentioned above, there is some relief available for both property owners as well as injured parties in the form of med pay insurance. Though not a requirement by law in Mississippi, many property owners or business owners choose to carry this type of insurance as a safety net. It is a form of financial protection for them, regardless of who was at fault.
Anyone who owns a property or business knows that it’s challenging to own and operate a premise that is entirely safe and injury-free. That’s why many owners carry med pay insurance. This insurance protects the property owner by paying a certain amount towards an injured party’s medical bills, up to a certain amount.
However, you may run into other scenarios with property owners offering to pay for your medical bills. We recommend using extreme caution in this scenario.
Health insurance and other considerations
It cannot be stressed enough that if a property owner offers to pay for your medical bills or asks you to sign something affecting your future claims, DON’T DO IT. Instead, call an experienced attorney immediately to find out what your rights and claims are and what relief there is in terms of receiving compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
There is the chance that Medicare or Medicaid will pay for some of your initial medical bills, as will most health insurance. However, you should know that insurance companies will also expect payment if there is a monetary settlement in your case.
And if you do not have health insurance, you are financially responsible for other associated costs of care and medical attention. Are you prepared to handle that yourself? Don’t go it alone!
‘MAGGIO LAW is here to assist and guide you through the process after your slip and fall accident. We will help you determine not only how much your case is worth but also who should be responsible for paying your medical and doctors’ bills. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation.