When injured in a wreck, at a business, on a bus, walking on the street, or elsewhere, you may receive medical and healthcare treatment. You may receive this treatment in an emergency room or be admitted to a hospital. Or, you may consult with or obtain medical care from doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, therapists, or other healthcare providers. You may take medications. But these medical treatments and drugs are not free. When an insurer, often a health insurer or vehicle insurer, pays for your treatment, it tries to determine if another person or firm caused your injury. If your injury was caused by another person, you may be entitled to and may receive compensation. The insurer that paid the bills will seek to collect the costs of your treatment from the recovery that you obtain. Lawyers refer to this process as subrogation.
Subrogation literally means that a party stands in another party’s stead. Thus, a party, other than the at-fault party, pays for some or all of the damages that came from the injured party’s injuries. In addition, the party is permitted to “stand in the shoes of the injured party” and receive some of the compensation. However, the third party also might face the same legal tactics used by the at-fault party.
Subrogation may create issues or problems when a lawsuit against a third party is settled, however. An experienced personal injury lawyer will negotiate with the insurer to reduce the amount that it collects.
If you are hurt or injured in a wreck, at a business, or elsewhere, you have rights and legal remedies. It costs nothing to make a call. For more information, contact Nashville Attorney Perry A. Craft.