I had a premature baby in September of 2005. My husband has excellent insurance, that covers the majority of expenses involved in a regular birth. Unfortunately, I went into labor early and my son spent some time in the ICU, which is not fully covered. We paid some on this bill, through a hospital payment plan and then worked out an agreement through the hospital billing center that we would pay the remaining balance(approximately $1,000) when my husand got his tax return. Since then the hospital has changed management and last week the Sherriffs Dept.delivered a summon that were being sued for the $1,000 and $500 court cost. We always pay our bills and had no idea. My husband called the collection agent and offered $1,000 by the end of the month(court date 1/23). They said no and will not give us the lawyers name & # to make same offer. What should we do & why should we pay court, when that can be avoided with our offer? How do we avoid court and ruined credit from this?
2007-01-17 05:19:17 · 5 answers · asked by doodle03 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Usually hospitals will take payments of so much a week or a month as long as you make regular payments. You could try to contact the hospital or you could try bankrupcy if you can't afford to pay this. If there is a collection agent, it has probably already been placed on your credit report as a bad debt or similar.
2007-01-17 05:25:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the suggestion of going to the court is a good idea, if you have a well informed court clerk. I just had to talk to a our local court clerk about something I am trying to straighten out (credit card that is suing me even though I have made MORE than the minimum payment on it) and the clerk was clueless. BUT I would NOT file bankruptcy over this small amount. If it goes to mediation or a judge, the judge will side with you on this I really do believe. Filing Bankruptcy will cost you at least $1000.00. If you can pay it, just pay it. Talk to the clerk. On your summons, the name and address and phone number of the laywer representing the hospital should be right on there.
2007-01-20 10:35:33 · answer #2 · answered by Kris 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lawyers name address and phone number should be on the summons and complaint.
When you get to court ask for a conference with the lawyer and judge. I cannot see that you would not be able to work out an amicable settlement at that time. Try to get the lawyer to agree that your credit report will read "paid as agreed" or some similar language.
If you wish, you can dispute any negative entries about this on your credit report. Click the link below to find out how.
If this has been your only credit problem I don't think it will have a major impact on your credit score.
2007-01-17 05:32:07 · answer #3 · answered by jbowler 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The clerk of courts will be able to tell you who the hospitals lawyer is for this case. Go to court if you cannot otherwise resolve it, but DO NOT file bankruptcy. The worse the judge can do is make you pay the $1000 and the court fees. Bankruptcy would cost you much more.
One incident will not ruin your credit, and the judge may find in your favor anyway. You are letting your emotions get the better of you.
2007-01-17 05:31:14 · answer #4 · answered by crossbones668 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's in collections, it's more than likely already on your credit.
Do you have any paperwork from "before" regarding the prior agreement--even a statement that shows "next pmt due"?
Go to court, tell the judge that you offered to pay in full at the end of the month and that they wouldnt work with you.
2007-01-17 05:23:43 · answer #5 · answered by Munya Says: DUH! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋