Had an assault case awhile back. My own cousin cold clocked me at a party, fractured a couple bones near the sinus and cheek. That was late last year, had surgery, everythings fixed, but theres about 6 grand in hospital bills. He was arrested, court ordered him to pay the costs, but gave him 18 months to do so.
Now I have hospitals and surgeons and xray people and all their mother's calling me looking for their money. I sent them all a small check last month, but a couple have been sent to collections.
Whats my best plan of action here? I've only received about 700 in payment from the clerk of the court so far, and I'm not making enough at my current job along with other bills I have. Anybody been in a similar situation, have any advice for me? Thanks.
#33116, "RE: Bill collectors / Hospital bills advice" In response to Reply # 0
luckily the laws changed in your favor a few years ago. medical collections can't be held against you for credit purposes (at least for housing)
I personally would follow up with either the court or your lawyer to find out where the money is.
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#33136, "RE: Bill collectors / Hospital bills advice" In response to Reply # 0
Have you contacted the hospital directly? The best way to go is to just set up a meeting with the credit staff at the hospital and walk them through the situation. Give documents for the lawsuit etc. Remember that even though the court ordered the other guy to pay, according to the hospital, it is still your debt. Set up a payment plan and do your best to follow it. Thats pretty much all the input I've got. Being as forthright and honest on your part sucks but usually is the best way to get help in these situations.
#33150, "RE: Bill collectors / Hospital bills advice" In response to Reply # 4 May-14-08 03:11 AM by cougar694u
Write the collection agencies a letter. Just put something like this:
Dir Sir/Madam,
I'm writing you to request you never contact me again. Should you not honor my request, I will not not hesitate to pursue further action in the court of law.
And include your name and account number. I did this and included every single phone number I had so they would be tempted to contacted me. I also included in the letter I wrote that they would be in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), As amended by Pub. L. 109-351, §§ 801-02, 120 Stat. 1966 (2006), should they try to contact me for any other reason than to let me know they're planning litigation.
Make sure you send it certified with return receipt and keep it for your records. I have yet to be contacted again.
**EDIT** For those unfamiliar with the FDCPA, read here:
#33151, "RE: Bill collectors / Hospital bills advice" In response to Reply # 4
Originally posted by msl-man Have you contacted the hospital directly? The best way to go is to just set up a meeting with the credit staff at the hospital and walk them through the situation.
+1 If you're low income, the hospital will usually write off your bills and instead use several government programs for low/no income patients.
#33152, "RE: Bill collectors / Hospital bills advice" In response to Reply # 4 May-14-08 05:21 AM by flamineclipse
Originally posted by msl-man Have you contacted the hospital directly? The best way to go is to just set up a meeting with the credit staff at the hospital and walk them through the situation. Give documents for the lawsuit etc. Remember that even though the court ordered the other guy to pay, according to the hospital, it is still your debt. Set up a payment plan and do your best to follow it. Thats pretty much all the input I've got. Being as forthright and honest on your part sucks but usually is the best way to get help in these situations.
+ 1 That's some pretty sound advise to me. I'd also check out your states laws concerning being a victim of an act of violence. Here in WV if you've been a victim of a violent act the state will pay most if not all of your medical bills. A guy that used to work for me was in a similar situation. He was cracked in the head with a pipe at a party by a "friend" and it did about the same damage as you mentioned. The state picked up the tab for all his bills. Good luck to ya
Oh, you don't like altezza's? Too bad, your gonna get a good look at mine.
#33153, "RE: Bill collectors / Hospital bills advice" In response to Reply # 7
This is what I know about law:
<My knowledge of law>
</My knowledge of law>
But it seems like in a fair and just world you could persuade the courts to compell the hospital to change the billing from you to you cousin. Let them worry about getting blood from the stone and you be done with it. It's easy, in my mind, considering charges and litigation has been brought to conclusion already.
#33154, "RE: Bill collectors / Hospital bills advice" In response to Reply # 8
The G/F has a similer issue. Yes it is true your bills will get writen off as a loss but whats really important George is your credit gets fucked. I dont care who tells you its not going to affect you. Here in IL your credit will take a dive for anything you buy.
My advise: contact the parties wanting money and update them that you cant pay them and the courts have ruled your cousin is liable. tell them nicely you know its not acceptable but your going to contact your lawyer to try and help.
Contact your lawyer and take your cousin back to court for contempt. he will get to spend a few days in jail.
If these get paid off your credit is still fucked for like 3 years if i recall. Sorry there is noting you can do about that.
OR you can file bankruptcy and they all get screwwed. Your young you still have time to build a good credit rating.
#33174, "RE: Bill collectors / Hospital bills advice" In response to Reply # 9 May-16-08 04:41 AM by EclipseSix
Thanks for the advice. there is a victims of violence program in Illinois, I will look into that right now, and also will be writing the agencies to request they no longer contact me and explain that it is an assault case that will be paid when I am compensated. Thanks again for the info.
#33204, "RE: Bill collectors / Hospital bills advice" In response to Reply # 10
I had a car accident where I was jsut a passenger and spent the night in the hospital. those medical bills still haunt my credit report. And that was because the insurance company took 2 years to pay them anything. The hospital caled me everyday askign for money even after I explained it was on the insurance company. They knew it was a car wreck it says so on my file lol. They just want the money. Don't care how they get it.
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