Insurers Demand Payback From Settlements

This segment of The Law and You features Oregon personal injury trial lawyer Don Corson discussing how reimbursement is often demanded from a health insurer from a personal injury survivor’s settlement.

TRANSCRIPT

JOEL: This is Joel Block for The Law and You with Eugene attorney Don Corson. Don, can a person can be required to reimburse their health insurance company for legitimate medical expenses as the result of an injury?

DON: Sometimes, that’s true. If the injured person receives a legal settlement or jury verdict, the health insurance company may demand to be reimbursed for medical expenses. Most people are surprised to learn about this reimbursement obligation after paying premiums for years. When determining a verdict, jurors are not told that money they have assessed to go to the injured person to help take care of lost income and other needs, may have to be used to pay back the health insurance company. Insurance companies may also refuse to pay for some future medical care until the settlement funds are exhausted. Sometimes, an attorney can help with these problems.

JOEL: Thanks, Lara. If you have a legal question about your insurance rights or would like to request a speaker for your group on The Law and You, visit the Law Firm of Corson & Johnson at  CorsonJohnsonLaw.com. The Law and You is a community service and does not replace the advice of an attorney.

The Corson & Johnson Law Firm, an Oregon personal injury trial law firm, produced and distributed The Law and You as a public service to help families and consumers answer questions about our legal system and how it works for them. The Law and You spots were aired on KKNU, KMGE, KEUG, and KODZ.  Please note that laws may have changed since a public service spot was aired.  If you have suggestions for legal questions or topics you would like addressed, please contact us.