Whatever difficulties a doctor may encounter in collecting a bill owed by a patient who was negligently injured, he is assured of as much as $500 under Virginia law. Section § 8.01-66.2 of the Virginia code provides for a lien for his "just and reasonable charge" up to that amount on the claim of an injured person whose injuries are alleged to have been caused by another's negligence.
In order to assert your lien, send copies of your bills to the attorney representing the patient. If the attorney is uncooperative (refusing to sign a lien/assignment), it might be prudent to send copies to the negligent party's insurance company.
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The above is not meant to replace legal counsel. If you'd like to speak to an attorney, please contact Gross & Romanick by calling 703-273-1400 or by filling out our Online Information Request Form.
