Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers | January 21, 2026 | Personal Injury
If you are injured in an accident and file a personal injury claim, you may hear the word “lien” come up early in the process. Many people do not realize how a lien can affect their settlement until it is time to get paid. Understanding what a lien is in a personal injury case can help you avoid surprises and better understand where your settlement money may go.
A lien is a legal right that allows a third party to be paid from your personal injury settlement before you receive the remaining funds. Liens are common in injury cases and often involve medical bills, insurance companies, or government benefits.
How Liens Impact Personal Injury Settlements
In a personal injury case, a lien gives someone else a claim to part of your settlement. This usually happens when another party pays expenses related to your injury and expects reimbursement if you recover compensation.
A lien does not mean you lose your entire settlement. It means that certain debts connected to your injury must be resolved before the remaining funds are released to you.
Common Types of Personal Injury Liens
Several different types of liens may apply in a personal injury case. The type of lien depends on who paid expenses related to your injury.
Medical Provider Liens
Doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers may place a medical lien if they treated you with the understanding that they would be paid from your settlement. This is common when treatment is provided without upfront payment.
Health Insurance Liens
If your health insurance covered medical treatment for accident-related injuries, the insurer may seek reimbursement. This is often referred to as subrogation.
Government Benefit Liens
Government programs may have the right to recover what they paid. These liens often involve Medicare, Medicaid, or other public benefit programs.
Workers’ Compensation Liens
If you were injured on the job and received workers’ compensation benefits, the workers’ compensation insurer may assert a lien if a third party caused the injury.
Each lien type has its own rules, limits, and enforcement requirements.
How Medical Liens Affect Your Settlement
Medical liens are one of the most common liens in personal injury cases. A medical provider may agree to treat you now and wait for payment until the case resolves.
Once your case settles, the lien must be addressed. The lien amount is usually paid directly from the settlement proceeds. Only after liens are resolved can you receive the remaining compensation.
Medical liens may cover:
- Emergency room treatment
- Hospital stays
- Surgery and follow-up care
- Physical therapy
- Diagnostic testing
Not all medical bills automatically become liens. A lien usually requires proper notice and documentation.
How Liens Are Handled in Maryland Personal Injury Cases
In Maryland, lien rules depend on the source of the lien. Medical providers, private insurers, and government programs each follow different guidelines. Some liens are strictly enforced, while others allow more flexibility.
Maryland law also affects how fault and damages are handled in personal injury claims. These rules can influence settlement amounts and the ability to resolve liens fairly. Understanding how liens interact with local law is important when evaluating settlement offers.
How to Protect Yourself From Lien Problems
Liens are manageable when handled properly. Being informed early helps prevent confusion later.
Helpful steps include:
- Keeping records of all medical treatment
- Tracking who pays medical bills
- Asking providers about lien agreements
- Reviewing settlement statements carefully
- Making sure all liens are identified before settlement
Understanding liens before accepting a settlement helps ensure that the final numbers make sense.
Contact the Charles County Personal Injury Lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
A settlement amount does not always reflect what you will actually receive. Liens reduce the net recovery, sometimes significantly. This is why knowing what liens exist and how they can be resolved matters when deciding whether a settlement offer is fair.
Understanding what a lien is on a personal injury case allows you to evaluate offers realistically and avoid unexpected deductions at the end of your case.
If you have a personal injury case and need legal assistance, Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Charles County personal injury attorney.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers in Maryland for Help Today
For more information, please contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a confidential consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer. Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, Waldorf, Maryland.
We proudly serve Charles County, Prince George County its surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers Waldorf
8 Post Office Rd Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 932-9997
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers Lanham
4600 Forbes Blvd Ste #200 Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 936-0011
Available 24/7