610-565-3701

Michael Davey of Eckell Sparks Quoted in The Legal Intelligencer

January 14, 2020

Attorney Michael J. Davey of Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. commented in The Legal Intelligencer on the feds targeting personal injury law firms to be held responsible for Medicare debts accrued by their clients, the plaintiffs. Outstanding Medicare liens present problems for many personal injury lawyers in that the exact amount owed by the plaintiff for their injuries is never clear, so it makes negotiating settlements challenging. Currently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) prioritized cracking down on firms by fining them if Medicare is not paid the correct amount their clients owe in a timely fashion. In some cases, figuring out what amount is owed, if the plaintiff is receiving treatment that is not associated with the case, and disputes over the dates pinpointing the onset of an injury may prove difficult, time-consuming, and hard to negotiate. Lawyers may struggle to ensure that the Medicare debts are accurately paid off in the time allowed, but they must bear the responsibility for any outstanding debts.

Personal injury lawyers protect the rights of injured accident victims by recovering the compensation they require for their injuries. Now personal injury law firms may need to be vigilant in ensuring that the Medicare debts that may arise from an accident their clients face is paid on time in the right amount or risk the consequences.

If you or your loved ones became injured during a personal injury accident, contact the Media personal injury lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. at 610-565-3701 or contact us online. We will examine your claim and determine the best course of legal action. We serve clients throughout Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County from our offices in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania.