If you were airlifted to UMMC in Jackson after a motorcycle accident, hospital and air ambulance liens can take a massive bite out of your settlement money before you ever see a dime. A lien is simply a legal claim that a healthcare provider attaches to your personal injury case to make sure they get paid first. But you do not have to just hand over your entire check. An experienced lawyer can fight to reduce these liens so you are able to keep the money for your bills and your future.
Surviving a horrible motorcycle crash on I-20 or Highway 49 is a miracle in itself. Waking up at the University of Mississippi Medical Center means you made it through the worst. However, the relief of surviving often turns to sheer panic when the medical bills start rolling in. Air ambulances in Mississippi routinely charge tens of thousands of dollars for a single flight. When you combine that with a lengthy stay in the trauma center, the total cost is terrifying. You have been through enough physical pain and likely missed numerous paychecks. The last thing you need is an aggressive billing department trying to snatch away the money meant for your recovery. They messed with the wrong family. Let us take it from here.
What Exactly Is a Medical Lien?
When you are rushed to the hospital after a serious crash, you need life-saving care immediately. Because you cannot pay upfront, places like UMMC or the air ambulance company will file a lien against your future settlement. This means that if the at-fault driver’s insurance company pays you, the hospital legally gets to take its share before you receive anything.
The problem is that these companies often charge inflated rates. If we do not step in, they will take everything, leaving you with nothing to cover your lost wages or future care.
Why Air Ambulance Bills Are So Terrifyingly High
Helicopter transport is incredibly expensive. We see riders get billed $30,000 to $50,000 just for the short flight to Jackson. Unlike normal health insurance claims, air ambulance companies often operate out of network and use aggressive billing tactics. They know you had no choice in the matter while you were unconscious on the side of the road.
We do not think it is fair that you are penalized for needing emergency care. We know how to stand up to these transport companies and force them to come to the negotiating table.
Note from Mama Justice: Never agree to pay a hospital lien or air ambulance bill out of your own pocket without letting us review it first. Some of these companies inflate their charges because they are looking for ways to maximize their profits. We are looking out for you.
How We Protect Your Settlement Money
Our goal is simple. We want to put as much money in your pocket as possible. When an insurance company cuts a settlement check, we do not just hand it over to the hospital. We actively fight to reduce those hospital and air ambulance liens.
- We audit every single charge. We look for double billing and unreasonable fees.
- We negotiate directly. We use Mississippi law and our firm’s reputation to pressure providers into accepting a lower amount.
- We coordinate with your health insurance. Sometimes we can force the hospital to bill your health insurance instead of placing a lien on your settlement.
You need that money to pay your mortgage, feed your family, and move forward. We make sure the healthcare corporations do not get a free pass to take it all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a hospital take my whole settlement?
If you do not have a lawyer fighting for you, yes, they can. A hospital lien can legally place a claim on a massive portion of your settlement. We negotiate these down, so you get to keep the money you deserve.
Do I have to pay the air ambulance bill myself?
Do not pay any medical bills related to your crash until you speak with us. We will work to make the at-fault driver’s insurance cover these costs, and we will negotiate the final balance to protect your wallet.
What happens if the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance?
If the driver who hit you has low insurance limits, a giant UMMC bill can easily wipe out the entire policy. We can look for other sources of money (such as your own uninsured motorist coverage) and aggressively negotiate the liens down to ensure you still receive a payout.
Let Mama Justice Take the Burden Off Your Shoulders
Dealing with a catastrophic motorcycle injury is exhausting. You are trying to heal, and these massive billing companies are breathing down your neck. You do not have to fight them alone. You don’t pay us a dime unless we win your case. Let Mama take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus entirely on healing. Call or message Mama Justice today for a free consultation. We will treat you like family, and we will protect what is yours.
