What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? IL
I received a summons on 7/30/14 to appear in court on 8/1/14 due to an unpaid medical bill. It includes the $2,823.38 medical bill as well as $597.01 for their attorney, and any court costs. I am being taken to court by the hospital rather than a debt collector. I am currently unemployed and haven't set up any kind of monthly payments and I assume that this is why they have taken this legal route. I'm also currently uninsured and was also at the time of treatment. I just spoke with an attorney today but was unable to come up with the $500 to hire him. I met him at 3pm and their office closed at 4pm. There were no options as far as getting money from anyone within the limited time frame. I mentioned to him that my services included them checking my vitals and offering two meals. I spent 10 hours in a room, spoke with a doctor (bill for this was separate) and to a representative for a local agency that helps people suffering from depression as well as other things. Even without insurance he said that the bill seemed to be too high for the services provided and mentioned request for discovery to find out more about individual costs that make up the bill. That's about as much as I got from him, but he did claim that if hired could eliminate the costs of their attorney and bring down the cost of the bill without me even needing to be there. Well, now I'm here, way in over my head, and I have no idea what I should expect this Monday and would highly appreciate any advice, do's/don'ts, etc. Feel free to ask any questions related to this case. Thanks in advance.
I received a summons on 7/30/14 to appear in court on 8/1/14 due to an unpaid medical bill. It includes the $2,823.38 medical bill as well as $597.01 for their attorney, and any court costs. I am being taken to court by the hospital rather than a debt collector. I am currently unemployed and haven't set up any kind of monthly payments and I assume that this is why they have taken this legal route. I'm also currently uninsured and was also at the time of treatment. I just spoke with an attorney today but was unable to come up with the $500 to hire him. I met him at 3pm and their office closed at 4pm. There were no options as far as getting money from anyone within the limited time frame. I mentioned to him that my services included them checking my vitals and offering two meals. I spent 10 hours in a room, spoke with a doctor (bill for this was separate) and to a representative for a local agency that helps people suffering from depression as well as other things. Even without insurance he said that the bill seemed to be too high for the services provided and mentioned request for discovery to find out more about individual costs that make up the bill. That's about as much as I got from him, but he did claim that if hired could eliminate the costs of their attorney and bring down the cost of the bill without me even needing to be there. Well, now I'm here, way in over my head, and I have no idea what I should expect this Monday and would highly appreciate any advice, do's/don'ts, etc. Feel free to ask any questions related to this case. Thanks in advance.
