Hospital bill

wasay911 · 19-01-2012 1:34pm #1

Hi
I got attacked by some 2 racist scum bags in city centre on 5 jan for no reason it was unprovoked. Had to go to mater hospital A&E in ambulance and got treated there, i received 20 stitches on my back. Gardai arrested the attackers after a week and case is ongoing, i received a bill of 100 euro from mater hospital yesterday.
Can anyone please tell me do i have to pay for it or what and do i get any compensation for my injury or not.
Thanks

Paulw · 19-01-2012 1:43pm

Yes, you do have to pay it.

Many hospitals insist on you paying before you leave.

If you want to seek compensation, you would need to bring a civil case against those who assaulted you, for the cost of your medical treatment.

But, you still need to pay the bill.

MagicSean · 19-01-2012 1:55pm

You may get compensated during the criminal trial. Sometimes the judge will order compensation and sometimes the accused will offer it to reduce their sentence. But failing either of those you can take a civil case against them.

wasay911 · 19-01-2012 1:56pm

Paulw wrote: »

Yes, you do have to pay it.

Many hospitals insist on you paying before you leave.

If you want to seek compensation, you would need to bring a civil case against those who assaulted you, for the cost of your medical treatment.

But, you still need to pay the bill.

Thanks
I asked the gards involved that do i have to get a solicitor so they said i don't have to get they said the state will provide. But can you tell me should i get my own solicitor or the one provided by state will look after the compensation and all that.

MagicSean · 19-01-2012 1:58pm

wasay911 wrote: »

Thanks
I asked the gards involved that do i have to get a solicitor so they said i don't have to get they said the state will provide. But can you tell me should i get my own solicitor or the one provided by state will look after the compensation and all that.

You don't need a solicitor for the criminal case. The state solicitor will prosecute the case.

You need your own solicitor for any civil case.

wasay911 · 19-01-2012 2:00pm

MagicSean wrote: »

You may get compensated during the criminal trial. Sometimes the judge will order compensation and sometimes the accused will offer it to reduce their sentence. But failing either of those you can take a civil case against them.

Sorry but i'm new to all these court cases and that, can you please explain me what is a civil case and what do i have to do.
thanks

Hoping · 19-01-2012 2:27pm

wasay911 wrote: »

Hi
I got attacked by some 2 racist scum bags in city centre on 5 jan for no reason it was unprovoked. Had to go to mater hospital A&E in ambulance and got treated there, i received 20 stitches on my back. Gardai arrested the attackers after a week and case is ongoing, i received a bill of 100 euro from mater hospital yesterday.
Can anyone please tell me do i have to pay for it or what and do i get any compensation for my injury or not.
Thanks

I didn't think you had to pay the a&e charge if you arrive by ambulance or your GP refers you. Might be worth a call to the mater's accounts dept.

MagicSean · 19-01-2012 2:32pm

wasay911 wrote: »

Sorry but i'm new to all these court cases and that, can you please explain me what is a civil case and what do i have to do.
thanks

The criminal case is the process by which the criminals are prosecuted and you are a witness. It is the Gardaí that bring this case against them.

The civil process is the process by which you take your own case against someone who has wronged you for compensation.

Hoping wrote: »

I didn't think you had to pay the a&e charge if you arrive by ambulance or your GP refers you. Might be worth a call to the mater's accounts dept.

I don't think that is correct.

wasay911 · 19-01-2012 2:39pm

Hoping wrote: »

I didn't think you had to pay the a&e charge if you arrive by ambulance or your GP refers you. Might be worth a call to the mater's accounts dept.

I rang them they told me that i have to pay it!

wasay911 · 19-01-2012 2:44pm

MagicSean wrote: »

The criminal case is the process by which the criminals are prosecuted and you are a witness. It is the Gardaí that bring this case against them.

The civil process is the process by which you take your own case against someone who has wronged you for compensation.

I don't think that is correct.

So should i get a solicitor now or wait for the case to begin in court or what.
Thanks

MagicSean · 19-01-2012 2:55pm

wasay911 wrote: »

So should i get a solicitor now or wait for the case to begin in court or what.
Thanks

That's up to you. But a civil case can't start while a criminal case is ongoing.

wasay911 · 19-01-2012 2:58pm

MagicSean wrote: »

That's up to you. But a civil case can't start while a criminal case is ongoing.

thanks a lot...

seamus · 19-01-2012 3:00pm

While I know that €100 isn't small change any more, it's worth keeping in mind that civil cases can be expensive and the guys you're suing are probably bottom-feeders with no income and no way of paying solicitor's bills and compensation.

I would wait until the criminal bit is done with and see how you feel. You may be awarded an amount from the judge that satsifies you, or at that stage you might just be glad to see the back of the incident and forget about your €100.

wasay911 · 19-01-2012 3:11pm

seamus wrote: »

While I know that €100 isn't small change any more, it's worth keeping in mind that civil cases can be expensive and the guys you're suing are probably bottom-feeders with no income and no way of paying solicitor's bills and compensation.

I would wait until the criminal bit is done with and see how you feel. You may be awarded an amount from the judge that satsifies you, or at that stage you might just be glad to see the back of the incident and forget about your €100.

ya i suppose.....apparently these people are homeless teenagers i was told by gards

blueythebear · 19-01-2012 3:14pm

If you are a victim of crime the State will compensate you for expenses actually incurred if you make a succesful application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal.

Details here:

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Criminal_Injuries_Compensation_Scheme

You can't get compensation. Only for expenses actually incurred, so medical expenses, loss of wages, etc. You must produce vouchers/documentation for every sum claimed.

NuMarvel · 19-01-2012 3:24pm

Hoping wrote: »

I didn't think you had to pay the a&e charge if you arrive by ambulance or your GP refers you. Might be worth a call to the mater's accounts dept.

You're half right. You're not charged if you're referred by a GP, but there's no exception if you're brought in by ambulance. There's a list of exceptions here - http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/hospital_services/hospital_charges.html.

OP, firstly I hope you're feeling better. I think the others have explained the difference between civil and criminal cases, but shout if you have any other questions.

If you're having difficulty paying the bill, ask the hospital if it can be paid in instalments or the like. They probably won't, but no harm in asking. Also check my link above to see if you're eligible for an exemption, e.g. do you have a medical card. Finally, if you're paying income tax, make sure to hold onto the receipt when you pay the hospital bill, because you can claim 20% of it back as tax relief at the end of the year.

Hospital bill

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