A medical lien is a claim for a right to payment asserted on the proceeds awarded in a settlement or judgment. A lien may be asserted by a government agency (such as Medicaid or Medicare), a healthcare provider, or a health insurance company. Any liens asserted on your financial recovery must be resolved before you receive any funds.
In some cases, a medical lien can greatly reduce a personal injury claimant’s net recovery. An attorney can review any liens asserted against your settlement or judgment to find out if they’re valid and whether they can be reduced.
