Source: https://www.nflconcussionsettlement.com/FAQDetails.aspx?q=455
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 08:27:57+00:00

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272. How does a lienholder notify the Settlement Program of a Medical Lien?
(d) Fax to (804) 521-7299, ATTN: NFL Liens.
273. How does a lienholder notify the Settlement Program of an Attorney's Lien or an Other Lien?
A lawyer also can provide notice by filing a Notice of Attorney’s Lien with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Case No.: 2:12-md-02323-AB. Attorneys’ Liens filed with any other court or served by any other method are not binding on the Claims Administrator.
Child support agencies can provide a mass Income Withholding Order to the Claims Administrator, accompanied by a data file with the name and tax identification number of the persons who owe child support debts in the respective state to provide notice of Child Support Liens.
If you are the Settlement Class Member’s current lawyer and believe that Lien payments may interfere with recovery of your attorney’s fees and costs, you must assert a Lien for attorney’s fees and costs before the Claims Administrator begins the process to pay the affected Settlement Class Member.
274. What information must a government health insurer provide to assert a Medical Lien?
The Lien Resolution Administrator sends information about Settlement Class Members to governmental health insurers to identify governmental Medical Liens as required by the Settlement Agreement. If you are a governmental health insurer and have questions about this process, please contact the Lien Resolution Administrator by calling 1-855-887-3485 or emailing NFLLiens@garretsongroup.com.
275. What information is required from a private healthcare insurer to assert an alleged Lien?
(d) Complete list of claims and payments comprising the alleged Lien.
The next step in the process will depend on the nature of the repayment obligation, if any, under the plan documents.
276. What information is required to assert an Attorney’s Lien?
(e) The dollar amount of the lawyer’s costs if the lawyer is seeking reimbursement of costs in addition to fees.
The Claims Administrator will review the information and send the lienholder an email or a letter to acknowledge receipt of the assertion, confirm the lienholder’s contact information and inform the lienholder if it needs further information or documentation about the Lien.
To honor the Lien, the Claims Administrator must receive complete claimant-identifying information and documentary proof before it begins the process to pay the affected Settlement Class Member.
277. What information is required to assert an Other Lien?
(1) Child Support Liens: An individual Income Withholding Order, a Notice of Income Assignment, or a substantially similar document from the appropriate federal or state child support agency or court establishing the current child support debt.
(2) Tax Liens: A Notice of Levy, a Notice of Freeze, or a substantially similar document from the federal, state, or local tax agency establishing the current amount of the tax debt.
(3) Judgment Liens: A copy of a file-stamped final judgment establishing the debt under applicable federal or state law.
278. What happens after I submit the required information and documents for a valid Lien?
The Claims Administrator will place a hold on an appropriate portion of any payment(s) that may be made to the affected Settlement Class Member.
279. What happens if a Settlement Class Member disputes a Medical Lien?
Depending on the Lien type, the Settlement Class Member (or, if represented, his or her lawyer) may have the option to challenge the proposed Medical Lien amount and seek to reduce it. If the Settlement Class Member disputes a Medical Lien, the Lien Resolution Administrator will attempt to resolve the Lien with the lienholder.
In addition, the Lien Resolution Administrator will instruct the Claims Administrator to withhold an amount sufficient to satisfy the Medical Lien, to the extent funds are available, until the Claims Administrator receives either (1) confirmation of Lien resolution from the Lien Resolution Administrator or (2) similar documentation from the lienholder.
If the Lien Resolution Administrator is not able to resolve the dispute with the lienholder, it may seek additional assistance from the Court.
280. What happens if a Settlement Class Member disputes an Attorney’s Lien?
If the Settlement Class Member disputes or fails to consent to an Attorney’s Lien, the Claims Administrator refers the dispute to the Magistrate Judge for resolution pursuant to a dispute resolution process approved by the Court on March 6, 2018, and amended on October 3, 2018. Click here for more information about the dispute resolution process.
The Claims Administrator withholds an amount sufficient to satisfy the Attorney’s Lien, to the extent funds are available, until receiving either: (1) Court approval of Withdrawal of Attorney's Lien Dispute forms signed by both the Settlement Class Member and the Attorney Lienholder specifying the distribution of the withheld funds; or (2) a copy of a final decision from the Court determining the amount, if any, to be paid to the Attorney Lienholder. The amount the Claims Administrator has to deduct from an Award to pay your Lien is based on your contingency fee contract with the Settlement Class Member and any orders of the Court that affect attorneys’ fees and costs in this Settlement Program.
281. What happens if a Settlement Class Member disputes an Other Lien?
If the Settlement Class Member disputes or fails to consent to a Child Support Lien, Tax Lien, or Judgment Lien, the Claims Administrator withholds an amount sufficient to satisfy the Other Lien, to the extent funds are available, until receiving either: (1) notice of satisfaction and discharge of the Lien from the lienholder; (2) a written agreement signed by both parties specifying the distribution of the withheld funds; or (3) a copy of a final decision from the applicable federal or state agency or court determining the amount, if any, to be paid to the lienholder.
282. What is a Dispute over an Attorney’s Lien?
A Dispute over an Attorney’s Lien is any disagreement between the current attorney on behalf of the represented Settlement Class Member or an unrepresented Settlement Class Member on his or her own behalf, and any attorney lienholder(s) over the reasonableness and amount of the fees and/or costs sought by the attorney lienholder(s). The resolution of the Dispute will also take into account any other matter relating to attorney’s fees and costs the Court determines are necessary to ensure that the Settlement Class Member’s and the attorney lienholder’s rights are protected, including the extent of any other attorney’s fees and costs to be paid out of the Award.
283. Where can I get a copy of the Rules that apply to the Attorneys’ Liens dispute resolution process?
284. How does a Dispute over an Attorney’s Lien get into the Attorneys’ Liens dispute resolution process?
If a Settlement Class Member disputes or fails to consent to an Attorney’s Lien, the Claims Administrator refers the Dispute to the Honorable David Strawbridge, U.S.M.J., or another United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Court’s April 4, 2017 Order.
285. Who are the Parties in an Attorney’s Lien Dispute?
The Parties to an Attorney's Lien Dispute are the current attorney on behalf of the represented Settlement Class Member or an unrepresented Settlement Class Member on his or her own behalf, and any attorney lienholder(s). The Claims Administrator is not a Party to the Dispute.
286. Who resolves an Attorney’s Lien Dispute?
The Parties may consent to have the Magistrate Judge enter a final decision as to the resolution of the Dispute pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). If consent is not given by both Parties, the Magistrate Judge will prepare a Report and Recommendation based on the information in the Dispute Record and any testimony and documents properly presented at a hearing, if one is granted. The District Judge will enter a final decision based on the Report and Recommendation from the Magistrate Judge and any objections from the Parties. If both Parties consent, the Magistrate Judge’s decision will be the final decision of the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
287. Do I have to try to reach an agreement with the Settlement Class Member over the disputed Lien?
Yes. The Parties must make reasonable efforts to resolve the Dispute by agreement before and during the dispute resolution process. The Parties also must provide a summary of the attempts to reach an agreement with the opposing Party in the dispute submissions.
288. How do I serve document submissions in the Attorneys’ Liens dispute resolution process?
289. What do I need to submit in the Attorneys’ Liens dispute resolution process?
290. What is a Statement of Dispute and when is it due?
291. What information must be included in my Statement of Dispute?
(g) A statement signed by the submitting Party declaring under penalty of perjury pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1746 that the information submitted in the Statement of Dispute is true and accurate to the best of that Party’s knowledge and that the submitting Party understands that false statements made in connection with this process may result in fines, sanctions, and/or any other remedy available by law.
292. What is a Response Memorandum and when is it due?
Each Response Memorandum must contain a statement signed by the submitting Party declaring under penalty of perjury pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1746 that the information submitted in the Response Memorandum is true and accurate to the best of that Party’s knowledge and that the submitting Party understands that false statements made in connection with this process may result in fines, sanctions, and/or any other remedy available by law.
293. What if I miss the deadline to submit my Statement of Dispute or Response Memorandum?
Extensions of deadlines are discouraged. If you believe an extension is necessary, you must submit a written request to the Claims Administrator showing good cause for the extension. The request should not be filed on the Court's docket. The Magistrate Judge may exercise discretion to extend or modify any submission deadline. Before you submit a request for an extension, you must confer with the Settlement Class Member’s current attorney or the unrepresented Settlement Class Member and disclose whether the Settlement Class Member opposes your request. The Magistrate Judge will issue a notice of any extension or modification of a submission deadline, and the Claims Administrator will serve the notice on the Parties.
294. What information will the Magistrate Judge consider in making the Report and Recommendation or the final decision?
If a hearing is granted, the Magistrate Judge also will consider testimony and any additional documentation properly presented during the hearing.
295. Can I request a hearing on the Attorney's Lien Dispute?
296. How will I find out if the Magistrate Judge grants a hearing on the Attorney's Lien Dispute and when will the hearing be scheduled?
If the Magistrate Judge determines a hearing is necessary, the Claims Administrator will serve you and the Settlement Class Member’s current attorney or the unrepresented Settlement Class Member with a Hearing Schedule. The hearing will be scheduled promptly, but no sooner than 20 days after the date of the Hearing Schedule.
297. What happens at a hearing on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
298. Do I have to participate in the hearing on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
All Parties and their lawyers, if any, must participate in the hearing. If you do not participate in the hearing without prior approval from the Magistrate Judge, he will issue a Report and Recommendation or a final decision (if the Parties consent to jurisdiction) based on the Dispute Record at the time of the hearing, together with any testimony and documents properly presented at the hearing.
299. Can I withdraw a Dispute from the Attorneys' Liens dispute resolution process?
Yes. If you reach an agreement with the Settlement Class Member’s current attorney or the unrepresented Settlement Class Member at any time before the Report and Recommendation or the Magistrate Judge’s final decision (if the Parties consent to jurisdiction) is issued and the Court approves the agreement, you may withdraw the Dispute from this process.
300. How do I withdraw a Dispute from the Attorneys' Liens dispute resolution process?
Each Party must serve a signed Withdrawal of Attorney's Lien Dispute (“Withdrawal”) with the required terms of the agreement on the Claims Administrator, and the dispute process will be stayed. The Court must approve the Withdrawal.
301. What information will the Magistrate Judge consider in making the Report and Recommendation or the final decision on the Withdrawals?
302. When will the Magistrate Judge issue a Report and Recommendation or a final decision?
303. Can I object to the Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation?
Yes. In accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(2), the Parties have 14 days from the date the Claims Administrator serves the Report and Recommendation to file specific written objections with the District Judge. The Parties will have 14 days from the date the Claims Administrator serves any objections to file a written response to the opposing Party’s objections. The Claims Administrator will serve copies of the objections and any responses to the objections on the Parties.
304. Who makes the final decision resolving the Attorney's Lien Dispute?
If both Parties consent pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), the Magistrate Judge will enter a final decision resolving the Dispute. If the Parties do not consent, the District Judge will enter a final decision after consideration of the Report and Recommendation and any objections from the Parties, in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(3). The Claims Administrator will provide you with a copy of the final decision.
305. Can the District Judge or the Magistrate Judge change the final decision on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
306. Can I appeal the final decision on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
307. How will the withheld funds be paid after the final decision on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
308. Whom do I contact with questions about Liens?
Contact the Lien Resolution Administrator by calling 1-855-887-3485 or emailing NFLLiens@garretsongroup.com.
Contact the Claims Administrator by calling 1-855-887-3485 or emailing ClaimsAdministrator@NFLConcussionSettlement.com.

References: § 636
 § 1746
in fine
 § 1746
in fine
 § 636