Medical bills associated with spinal cord injuries can run into the millions of dollars in the first year of treatment alone. If someone else’s careless, reckless, or intentionally-harmful actions caused your spinal cord injury, then you may have rights under Pennsylvania law to take legal action seeking compensation for those bills (among other damages). Speak with an experienced Philadelphia spinal cord injury lawyer right away to learn more.
The prospect of filing a lawsuit, however, does not necessarily meet your pressing financial needs right now.
Until you have your legal rights sorted out (and, again, the sooner you get started, the better), you may have the ability to resort to these sources of payment to keep medical bills paid:
Your personal injury protection insurance. If you sustained your spinal cord injury in a motor vehicle accident, then your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance may cover your initial medical expenses. PIP is a form of insurance that all Pennsylvania drivers must carry that covers their own (and, frequently, their passengers’) injuries in a crash, regardless of who caused the accident. PIP also covers the people who carry it against traffic accident-related injuries they sustain as cyclists or pedestrians. If you are not sure whether a PIP policy covers your medical expenses for a Philadelphia spinal cord injury, speak with a skilled lawyer right away.
Your medical insurance. Your own medical insurance, assuming you have it, can also provide coverage for your spinal cord injury-related medical expenses, subject to co-payments, deductibles, and coverage limits.
Your long-term disability insurance. Similarly, if you carry long-term disability insurance (sometimes employers provide it as an employment benefit, for example), then it may also pay benefits to you after suffering a Philadelphia spinal cord injury.
Workers’ compensation insurance. If you sustained your spinal cord injury while working, then workers’ comp likely covers your medical costs (as well as providing other potentially crucial benefits).
Keep track of all your medical bills, and make note of any payments you make following your accident. You may need to produce those records to claim compensation for your medical expenses. Your spinal cord injury lawyer may help you with these tasks.