It’s no secret that medical treatment of any kind can be astronomical. An office visit can cost a few hundred dollars, while a significant surgery is the price of college tuition for many. It’s no surprise that even with insurance, many people end up in medical debt because of their bills. In some instances, this debt can lead to a lawsuit. If this situation sounds familiar, you’ll want to keep reading. You’ll learn how a Los Angeles, California debt defense lawyer can help you navigate the situation to achieve the best possible outcome for your circumstances.
Can I Be Sued for Medical Debt?
If you do not pay your debts, you can be sued. This is unfortunate, as many people cannot afford to pay off their medical debt due to the astronomical prices, especially if you are uninsured.
When a doctor’s office, dental clinic, urgent care, hospital, or other healthcare facility determines you have breached the contract by failing to pay the money that is owed to the location for treatment, they will begin by trying to contact you by phone, email, and mail to inform you of the outstanding payment. However, if they do not reach you, they will likely file a lawsuit against you.
If you’ve made payments that directly negate the claim the collector is making, you’ll want to ensure you collect any evidence of payments. This can help prove there is a discrepancy between what the collector says you owe, versus what you’ve paid.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me?
Once you have been named the defendant in a debt collection lawsuit, ensuring you have a competent attorney is crucial. Your lawyer will begin by examining how you were contacted by the collection agency, as they must follow laws to prevent harassing consumers. If the debt collectors broke any laws by using unfair or illegal means to torment you, you could be able to recover damages as a direct result of their harassment.
Next, the attorney will try to settle with the debt collector in order to avoid a lengthy legal battle. This will allow you to make manageable monthly payments.
However, if a settlement is not possible, an experienced attorney will be able to craft a defense for your case. An attorney can help create a strategy to achieve the best possible outcome for each situation.
If you’re struggling to navigate your debt collection lawsuit, ensuring you have a competent attorney on your side is essential. Whether you’re being unfairly harassed by a collection agency or need assistance creating a debt defense, LA Legal Solutions is ready to help. Reach out today to discuss the details of your case and learn how we can help.
