By Brennan Nolting | Associate | Seattle Office
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, whether in a car accident, a slip and fall, or a workplace incident, medical treatment is likely your first concern. But once you have received care, the bills start arriving. If you don't have insurance, or if your insurance doesn't cover all your expenses, you may encounter a medical lien.
What Is a Medical Lien?
A medical lien is a legal claim against your personal injury settlement or award by a healthcare provider or insurer to recover the costs of treatment they provided. In essence, the provider agrees to treat you now in exchange for getting paid later, if and when you win or settle your personal injury claim.
There are generally three types of medical liens:
- Provider Liens – Directly from the hospital or doctor.
- Health Insurance Liens – From your health insurance provider, including government programs like Medicare or Medicaid.
- Third-Party Liens – From other parties like workers’ comp insurers or medical funding companies.
How Medical Liens Work
Medical liens are often used when:
- The injured party is uninsured or underinsured.
- The injured party cannot afford out-of-pocket costs.
- The provider is willing to defer payment in anticipation of settlement.
Once a lien is filed, it becomes a legal obligation. After the case resolves, the lien must be satisfied before you receive any portion of your settlement.
Example: If you settle for $100,000 and your provider has a $30,000 lien, that amount is deducted from the settlement before you receive the remainder.
How to Handle Medical Liens
- Review All Liens Carefully
Make sure the charges are accurate and related to your accident. You have the right to dispute inflated or unrelated charges. - Negotiate the Lien Amount
Many attorneys will negotiate with providers or insurers to reduce the lien amount, often significantly. - Prioritize Government Liens
Liens from Medicare, Medicaid, or military healthcare (e.g., TRICARE) usually take precedence and must be addressed first. - Get Help from an Attorney
Lien law is complex. An experienced personal injury attorney can help ensure liens are valid, properly filed, and minimized wherever possible.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you have been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, whether in a car crash, a slip and fall, or another incident, it’s important to understand how medical liens work. Medical bills can pile up quickly, especially if you’re uninsured or underinsured, and healthcare providers may assert a lien against your eventual settlement or award.
At GLP Attorneys, we guide injured individuals through the complex legal and financial issues that follow an accident, including dealing with medical liens. Please call 800.273.5005 or email our personal injury attorneys at for a free initial consultation.
