What Is a Letter of Protection?

Medical bills are among the greatest concerns in a personal injury case. There are barriers to getting paid; even if you have health insurance, you may still be required to pay out of pocket. A letter of protection, or LOP, guarantees a medical professional will be paid out of a future lawsuit settlement or amount determined by a jury verdict. It is legally binding and stops medical providers from engaging in collection efforts while the case is ongoing.

Reasons to Get a Letter of Protection

The LOP is written by your attorney so you can get the medical care you need. Many personal injury victims cannot afford to use cash to pay for much-needed treatment, nor have the credit available to cover it. If you’ve been in an auto accident, suffered a slip-and fall, or experienced a workplace injury, the letter will help in the following situations:

• You Are Uninsured: Not having health insurance can make it hard to access quality health care. The Affordable Care Act has somewhat reduced the number of uninsured individuals; still, not everyone has the coverage they need.

• The Insurer Denies a Claim: Health insurance plans often refuse to pay for auto-accident-related medical care, and automobile insurance carriers won’t pay for medical care upfront, but rather make an offer to settle after you’ve paid the full cost and submitted your bills.

How the Process Works

The attorney or law firm representing you drafts a letter of protection. This letter agrees to protect a provider’s outstanding balance on the cost of treatment to you and promises the bill will be satisfied upon resolution of the personal injury case. Also, it puts a stop on debt collection, which can help protect your credit.

A letter of protection guarantees a way to get paid. It’s therefore welcome by medical professionals and hospitals concerned about insurance companies rejecting claims. Letters of protection are often written after car accidents; arguments over blame and disputes with insurance companies contribute to this fact. Your lawyer may also draft a letter following a work injury, as insurers often argue about liability to avoid the responsibility of paying for care related to workers’ comp claims.

It is not recommended to write an LOP on your own. It’s a legally binding contract that should be drafted by an experienced personal injury attorney. From the language of the writing to where the letter is sent, the experienced team at The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani will ensure you have access to quality treatment while we fight to win your case.

Insurance companies have created a negative perception about letters of protection. Therefore, many try to use them against injured claimants or suggest the medical professional is biased for entering the agreement. Our attorneys can deal with any action an insurer might take.

Can I Get a Letter of Protection for a Previous Injury?

You’ve been in an accident and received treatment at a medical facility. Expecting your health insurance carrier to pay, they later refuse to because you were injured in a car crash. The medical provider still expects to be paid and begins the collections process. If you can’t afford the bill, your attorney can issue an LOP promising to pay the bill out of any proceeds awarded, in exchange for the provider not pursuing collection efforts or filing the bill against your credit.

What If My Case Doesn’t Win?

The letter of protection does not apply after the conclusion of a case in which you receive no proceeds. You’ll then be responsible for your medical bills. The provider can also resume collections on any outstanding debt. Therefore, the skills of an experienced attorney are so important in handling your case and maximizing your chances of getting the compensation you need and deserve.

Contact The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani

We’ve awarded millions of dollars in damage settlements to victims of auto and other accidents. No fees are charged until we win, and our team will help get your bills paid. You’ll receive prompt access to high-quality medical treatment as well. Our team fights for you every step of the way, even providing a letter of protection so you’re not faced with bills and collections during a challenging time.

Call 888-952-2952 or contact us online to get started and receive your free consultation.