A Letter of Protection (LOP) is a document that is often used in personal injury cases to ensure that medical expenses are paid while the case is pending. An LOP is typically issued by an attorney on behalf of a client who has been injured in an accident and is seeking damages from the responsible party.
An LOP is a promise by the attorney to pay the medical provider out of the settlement or judgment that is ultimately recovered in the case. The LOP allows the injured party to receive medical treatment without having to pay upfront, and it ensures that the medical provider will be compensated for their services once the case is resolved.
LOPs are often used when an injured party does not have health insurance or when their health insurance does not cover the full extent of their medical expenses. They can also be used when an injured party does not want to use their health insurance to cover accident-related expenses, as this could potentially result in higher premiums or other negative consequences.
It’s important to note that an LOP is not a guarantee that the medical expenses will be paid, and there is a risk that the medical provider may not be fully compensated if the case is not successful. In Billings, Montana we rarely use an LOP due to the fact our laws regarding medical payments are very good. It is rare that a healthcare facility is not paid in full.
