Can I get medical treatment on a lien for a personal injury case in Ohio?

Short answer: Yes — some doctors, specialists, and facilities in Ohio will agree to treat you on a lien basis (often called a lien, Letter of Protection (LOP), or assignment for payment from any future settlement). Whether a provider will accept that arrangement depends on the provider’s policies, the strength of your case, your lawyer’s involvement, and the type of care you need.

Detailed answer — how it works and what to expect

When a medical provider agrees to treat you on a lien or with a Letter of Protection, they are asking you to sign a written agreement that gives them the right to be paid directly from any settlement or judgment you recover in your personal injury case. These agreements do not guarantee payment; they secure the provider’s claim against the recovery. Providers consider several factors before agreeing:

• Case merit and likelihood of recovery: Providers more often accept lien arrangements when an attorney represents the patient or when liability and potential insurance recovery appear strong.
• Type of provider: Some specialists and doctors who commonly work with personal injury plaintiffs (orthopedists, physical therapists, pain management) are more likely to accept LOPs. Hospitals and imaging centers may be more cautious because of high costs.
• Provider risk tolerance and billing policies: Smaller or clinic-based providers sometimes accept more risk than major hospital systems. Providers may require you to sign a personal guarantee or pay a portion of the bill if the case fails.
• Timing and documentation: Providers prefer to see you early, document objective injuries, and confirm an attorney is working the case. Better documentation improves the chance of lien acceptance.

Key steps in the process:

1. Get an attorney involved early. Attorneys who handle personal injury claims routinely work with networks of medical providers who will accept treatment on lien or LOP. An attorney can: draft and deliver a proper LOP, vouch for case merit, and negotiate medical liens during settlement.
2. Ask the provider what they require. Typical requirements include a signed LOP or lien form, the patient’s consent to release medical records, and sometimes a written attorney representation letter and contact info.
3. Understand the lien agreement. Lien agreements can differ: some state the provider will look to settlement proceeds first, others are assignments of the claim or a promise to be paid from the settlement after attorney fees and expenses. Read the document carefully and ask your attorney to review it.
4. Confirm who pays if there’s no recovery. Many providers expect payment if you do not recover in your lawsuit. Some may accept reduced fees or write-offs. Ask the provider whether they will require payment if the case fails.
5. Track bills and records. Keep copies of every medical bill, receipt, and authorization. Accurate records make settlement allocation and lien resolution easier later.

What Ohio law you should know

Two practical legal points affect your planning:

• Statute of limitations: Ohio generally gives injured persons two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing deadlines can destroy your ability to recover funds to pay medical liens. See Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 for the two‑year limitation on bodily injury claims: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2305.10.

Ohio does not eliminate the common practice of providers obtaining written liens or LOPs to secure payment from recoveries. How each provider enforces a lien, and how liens are negotiated at settlement, involves contract terms and negotiation rather than a single statute governing every circumstance.

Where to look in Ohio for providers who accept liens

• Your personal injury attorney: Attorneys usually know providers who will treat on lien and can arrange referrals. If you don’t have an attorney, ask for a free consultation with a plaintiff lawyer experienced in Ohio personal injury cases.
• Local clinics and rehab centers: Independent physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, and outpatient imaging centers sometimes accept LOPs more readily than hospital systems.
• Community health centers and charitable clinics: These may offer reduced-cost or sliding-scale care while your case is pending.
• Hospital billing departments: If you received emergency care, contact the hospital billing office. Hospitals must treat emergencies under federal EMTALA rules; billing and post-treatment lien policies vary.
• Bar association referral services: Local Ohio bar associations can connect you with personal injury attorneys who can then connect you to lien-friendly providers.

Questions to ask a potential treating provider

• Do you accept treatment on a lien or Letter of Protection for personal injury cases?
• What paperwork do you require? Will you accept an attorney-signed LOP?
• Do you require any upfront payments or a personal guarantee if my case is unsuccessful?
• How will you bill and report outstanding balances if the case settles?
• Will you provide regular treatment records and objective test results to support my claim?

Alternatives if providers refuse lien treatment

• Apply for charity care or payment plans with the provider.
• Use community clinics or sliding-scale services for interim care.
• Consider a home health, physical therapy, or urgent care option that bills at lower rates.
• Talk to your attorney about advancing medical costs as a case expense (some attorneys may advance costs or use medical funding companies, though those can have high fees).

Red flags and cautions

• If a provider demands large upfront payments despite promising a lien, proceed with caution.
• Read any lien/LOP carefully — some documents can assign your entire claim or obligate you to pay regardless of recovery.
• Be wary of third‑party medical funding companies that require repayment with high fees if you settle; understand the cost before accepting.
• A provider asserting a lien may still need written proof of attorney representation or the claim’s facts — informal promises are insufficient.

Helpful hints

• Secure an attorney early. Representation increases chances providers will accept lien treatment.
• Bring clear documentation: accident reports, photos, and contact information for any potential defendant or insurer.
• Get everything in writing: LOPs, lien terms, treatment plans, and billing policies.
• Ask your attorney to negotiate medical liens at settlement — many liens reduce during negotiation.
• Keep treatment focused and documented. Objective tests (x-rays, MRIs) and consistent records strengthen both your medical claim and a provider’s willingness to accept lien risk.
• Confirm deadlines to preserve your claim — Ohio’s statute of limitations can bar recovery if you wait too long (see Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10).

Final takeaway

Many providers in Ohio will treat on a lien or LOP, but acceptance depends on the provider’s policy, the perceived strength of your claim, and attorney involvement. The fastest, least risky path is to consult a personal injury attorney who can refer lien‑friendly medical providers, prepare the proper paperwork, and negotiate medical liens at settlement.

Disclaimer: This article explains general information about Ohio law and common practices. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Ohio personal injury attorney.