Personal Injury Lawyer

When someone is injured in an accident, it can have serious repercussions for one’s life. If you have found yourself in this situation, you may be looking for a way to pay your medical bills. If your health insurance provider already paid for some of your medical bills, are you allowed to sue the responsible party?

If you have already settled your insurance claim and your health insurer has paid for your medical bills, you typically can’t sue for more. Settling an insurance claim is a binding contract that generally prohibits you from seeking more compensation from the at-fault party. There are some exceptions to the rule, and you should understand those to see if you still have a shot at more.

A Fraudulent Settlement

There are some cases in which you enter into a settlement under false pretenses. If the insurance company offered your settlement in bad faith, it’s possible you can still seek for more compensation, but you’ll first have to prove the settlement was fraudulent. A personal injury lawyer can help you make the determination and file a lawsuit against the responsible party if you find yourself in this situation.

Suing a Third Party

It’s possible there’s a third-party individual or entity that is partially responsible for your injuries. In such a case, you may be able to sue that party, even if you have already settled with the insurance company. If you’re unsure whether there’s someone else responsible, your attorney may be able to help you track down a third party. If you find one or more responsible parties, you may be able to seek compensation from them.

For example, perhaps you were in a car accident with someone who was uninsured. Your health insurer may have covered your medical costs. Later, your car manufacturer might recall a part on your car, at which time you might discover that defective part played a role in your accident. You may be able to file a lawsuit against the parts manufacturer or the car manufacturer.

Learning More

Every situation involving an injury is unique and will require a fresh set of eyes to determine if you can file a lawsuit after receiving a payout from health insurance. It’s possible the insurer will put a lien on your settlement if you do sue another party, so keep that in mind as well. To learn more, call a personal injury lawyer, with experience dealing with situations similar to your own.