Important Advice for Hospitalized Individuals After an Injury

Don’t Delay Handling Medical Bills

When you’re injured, especially in situations like car accidents or injuries on someone else’s property, the insurance company for the person who injured you WON’T pay for your medical bills as they come in. They typically issue a single payment when your case is settled. To make sure your medical expenses are covered, provide the hospital with your health insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare information. If the hospital fails to bill your health insurance, they might be violating Colorado law (C.R.S. § 38-27-101).

Avoid Giving a Statement to the Opposing Insurance Company

It’s against the law for the insurance company of the person responsible for your injury to take your statement within 15 days of your injury (CRS §13-21-301(1)(c)). Remember, the opposing insurance company’s primary goals are to protect the individual who caused your injury and maximize their own profits. You are neither of these. If you have car insurance, contact your car insurance provider and let them handle any communication with the other side. It’s even better to hire a law firm like ours to manage these conversations and correspondence.

Follow Up with Your Doctor and Treatment Plan

If you need medical care, it’s crucial to follow through with the recommended treatment plan. Going to the Emergency Department is not enough; you must also follow up with your primary care doctor or the treatment plan they suggest. Your doctor can provide essential evidence about your condition before the injury and your recovery process. If you’re advised to undergo physical therapy or other treatments, be sure to adhere to these recommendations. Failing to do so may result in the other side’s insurance company claiming that you “failed to mitigate your damages,” potentially leading to a smaller settlement offer.

Avoid Settling Your Case Prematurely

It’s essential not to settle your case until you’ve completed your treatment. Settling earlier may lead to a lower offer from the opposing side, as you may still have future medical bills and treatments to consider. Even if you’re still receiving treatment, you must either settle your case or file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. Typically, in Colorado, there is a three-year statute of limitations for car accidents and a two-year statute of limitations for injuries on someone else’s property. If the government is involved in your injury (e.g., a government employee causes an accident), you must send a special notice within 182 days of the incident.

If you have been injured and are at the hospital due to an accident, Harding & Associates is available to provide support.

Contact us now for an obligation-free consultation at 303-762-9500 or 1-800-878-7888.