Opinion ID: 2218842
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Events After Perry's Application to DSS.

Text: Perry was discharged from LGH on July 2. At that time, Perry's unpaid account at LGH reflected charges of $86,308.74. Perry was readmitted to LGH on July 26 and remained hospitalized until his discharge on July 30. The charges for Perry's second admission to LGH totaling $8,098.39 also were unpaid. Attorney Dan L. McCord, pursuant to a written contingent fee contract dated July 31, undertook representation of Perry for one-third of any recovery on Perry's personal injury claim against Ehlers. LGH, on August 5, served a Notice of Hospital Lien on Battle Creek concerning the charges for Perry's hospitalization from May to July. LGH based its lien on Neb.Rev.Stat. § 52-401 (Reissue 1988), which states in pertinent part: Whenever any person shall employ a ... hospital to perform professional service or services of any nature, in the treatment of or in connection with an injury, and such injured person shall claim damages from the party causing the injury, such ... hospital ... shall have a lien upon any sum ... obtained by settlement or compromise on the amount due for the reasonable value of services necessarily performed.... In order to prosecute such lien, it shall be necessary for such physician, nurse, or hospital to serve a written notice upon the person or corporation from whom damages are claimed that such physician, nurse, or hospital claims a lien for such services... except that whenever an action is pending in court for the recovery of such damages, it shall be sufficient to file the notice of such lien in the pending action. On August 17, pursuant to the June 30 application for medical assistance benefits, DSS made the first in a series of payments for Perry's medical expenses. On August 19, Perry was again admitted to LGH, and he was discharged on August 31. Unpaid charges for Perry's third admission to LGH were $21,902.64. Thereafter, in view of his condition, Perry was admitted to Madonna Professional Care Center. On September 3, DSS served on Battle Creek notice of DSS' subrogation interest under Neb.Rev. Stat. § 68-716 (Reissue 1986): An application for medical assistance benefits shall give a right of subrogation to the Department of Social Services. Subrogation shall include every claim or right which the applicant may have against a third party when such right or claim involves money for medical care....