What Happens if You Don’t Pay a Hospital Bill?

Getting hurt in an accident is bad enough, but then come the hospital bills, which can be overwhelming. You might be wondering what happens if you can’t pay them. 

A Dripping Springs personal injury lawyer will explain your options and help you pursue compensation to cover these expenses. 

What happens if you don’t pay your medical bills?

If you don’t pay your hospital bills, a few things could happen:

• The hospital might charge you extra money for being late.
• People might start calling you a lot to ask for money.
• Damage to your credit score. If it goes down, it might be harder to get loans or credit cards later.
• In rare cases, the hospital might sue you to try to get the money.
• Wage garnishment. If you lose in court, the hospital might be able to take money right out of your paycheck.
• The hospital might put a “lien” on your property. This means if you sell your house or car, they get paid first.
• Trouble getting future medical care. Some doctors might not want to treat you if you owe a lot of money.

Does unpaid medical debt go away?

Unfortunately, unpaid medical bills don’t just disappear on their own. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind. 

• Statute of limitations: After a certain amount of time (usually 4 years in Texas), the hospital can’t sue you anymore. But the debt still exists.
• Credit reports: Unpaid medical bills can stay on your credit report for up to 7 years.
• Bankruptcy: In some cases, people file for bankruptcy to get rid of medical debt. But this is a big decision with serious consequences
• Negotiation: Sometimes, hospitals will agree to lower the bill or set up a payment plan if you talk to them.

Injury lawyers can often negotiate with medical providers after a personal injury

If you got hurt because of someone else’s mistake (like a car accident or a fall in a store), a personal injury lawyer might be able to help with your medical bills. Here’s how:

• Negotiate with the hospital: Lawyers often have good relationships with hospitals. They might be able to get the hospital to lower your bill or wait for payment.
• Use liens: Sometimes, the lawyer can arrange for the hospital to put a lien on your case instead of billing you right away. This means they agree to wait for payment until your case is over.
• Get a bigger settlement: A good lawyer can often get more money from the person who hurt you. This can help cover all your medical bills.
• Handle bill collectors: If bill collectors are bothering you, your lawyer can talk to them instead.
• Find all available insurance: Lawyers know how to find all possible insurance that might cover your bills.
• Maximize compensation: They can make sure any settlement includes enough money to cover all your medical costs, even future ones.

A Dripping Springs, Texas personal injury lawyer can help

If you’re worried about unpaid medical bills after an accident in Texas, York Law APC personal injury lawyers will help. We offer free consultations, charge no upfront costs, and deal with insurance companies to secure compensation to cover your medical expenses.

Contact us at (619) 233-1033 or online to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Steven Ray York who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.