"Do I need a lawyer?" Patients ask us this fairly often, and our answer is always the same: we can't tell you. That's a question for an attorney, and it depends on facts we don't know.
What we can do is explain how the two roles fit together if you do end up with one. None of this is legal advice.
Who does what
It helps to keep the jobs straight. Your attorney handles the legal side: your rights, your claim, negotiations, deadlines. We handle your care: examining you, treating what we find, and keeping accurate records of how you're doing. We don't give legal advice, and your attorney doesn't give medical advice. When each stays in their lane, things tend to run smoother.
What's an attorney lien?
If you're working with an attorney on an injury claim, some people can't or would rather not pay for care out of pocket while the claim is open. In that situation, a provider may agree to an arrangement known as an attorney lien. In general terms, it means care can begin now, with payment arranged from the outcome of the claim later, rather than up front.
The details depend on your agreement and your situation, and your attorney is the right person to explain how it works for you. We do work with attorney liens, and if that's relevant to you, ask us when you call. Meanwhile, for car accident patients, PIP can often cover care from the start, and we bill it directly. Read how PIP and MedPay work in Oregon for the basics. Your policy governs your benefits, and the insurance page shows what we accept.
What your attorney may ask us for
- Records of your visits, exam findings, and care
- Billing statements
- A report summarizing your care, when one is requested
We can usually provide these with your written permission. It helps if you tell us up front that an attorney is involved, and give us their contact information at your first visit so we can send things to the right place without back and forth.
What we won't do
We won't tell you what your case is worth, whether you'll win, or how long it will take. We don't write our notes to help a claim along, and we wouldn't want to. Our records say what we saw and what we did. Anything beyond that belongs to your attorney.
Give us some lead time
Records requests and reports take a little time to put together, and how long depends on what's being asked for. If your attorney needs something by a certain date, let us know early rather than the day before.
How to be a good partner to both
Keep your appointments. Follow the home exercises you're given. If you stop improving or something changes, say so. Tell your attorney about any new providers you see, and tell us about any new symptoms. Both of them are working off the picture you give them, and the more complete it is, the better.
For what to keep on your own end, see how good records support your claim.
Questions worth asking your attorney
- How do you want medical bills handled while the claim is open?
- Who should we send records and billing statements to?
- Is there anything you'd like me to avoid doing or saying?
- Should I tell you before I see any new provider?
Write down the answers. They'll save you from playing messenger between two offices.
Starting from scratch?
If you haven't talked to an attorney and you're just trying to get your neck or back looked at, you can book an exam without involving anyone else. Many people from Milwaukie, Oregon City, and Gladstone start that way and deal with the rest later. The new patient page covers what to bring, the auto injury overview shows how care works after a crash, and the contact page reaches our front desk.
Already have an attorney?
Bring their contact info to your first visit. We'll coordinate records so you don't have to chase them.