Collections Law/medical bills

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Expert: Regan Shinski - 1/19/2010


Question
In 2005 I was involved in a slip and fall accident that went to court. My chiropractor at that time decided not to bill my insurance company and to sit on the bills pending a settlement and the award of a much larger sum of money than he would have been reimbursed from my insurance company. 3 years later after court trial I did not win because basically I live in Iowa and falls happen. Now THOUSANDS of dollars later He wants me to settle with him on my account from 2005 and 2006. He started submitting my claims in 2007 again and got paid from then on but they wouldnt take the old claims because he waited to long. He said the bill equals like $12,000 but he would settle for $2,600.00. Am I responsible for this even though he is the one who never filed the claims and was trying to make more money off of the deal?

Answer
This will depend on your contracts.  Did you have such an agreement with him - preferrably in writing?  Sadly, if there was no contract, you are likely liable for your medical bills.  You should also check the statute of limitations in your state.  Looks like Iowa has a 10-year SOL for written contracts, and 5 years on oral or promissory agreements.

I'm sorry, I wish I had more insight for you, but it really depends on what contracts are in place.

Good luck,
Regan

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Regan Shinski

Expertise

I can answer questions on collections, repossessions, bankruptcy, credit repair, credit counseling, FICO scores, credit planning, and the cause and effect of credit related decisions. I can also answer questions on collection settlements and preparing to sue your creditors for false debts and credit credit reporting.

Experience

Fifteen years ago I was financially devasted due to severe health issues. I filed bankruptcy, had a foreclosure, car repossession, tax lien, and ruined credit. I immersed myself in credit law. I settled dozens of accounts and had them removed to improve my credit. I personally sued four creditors and collection agencies and won cash settlements for their false reporting on my credit reports. Since then, I have completely recovered and have nearly $100,000 in revolving credit lines and perfect credit. I have owned a credit repair company for the past five years and have an additional three years of specific work in the collections and debt management industry. I am fully versed in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Acts (FDCPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and have used them successfully in collection settlements and lawsuits for myself and others. I am also familiar with and abide by the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA). I have deleted or helped delete literally hundreds and hundreds of derogatory items from consumers' credit reports and helped negotiate many settlements with collection agencies and creditors. I have also advised people on bankruptcy at any stage. In the current credit market, I have successfully advised numerous people on how to obtain credit and how to negotiate for better terms.

Education/Credentials
BA University of Minnesota

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