[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/letters-of-protection\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/letters-of-protection\/","headline":"Letters of Protection: They Protect the Medical Provider, Not You.","name":"Letters of Protection: They Protect the Medical Provider, Not You.","description":"A Letter of Protection (L.O.P.) is a written agreement\u2014usually from a personal injury attorney to a healthcare provider\u2014indicating a provider will be paid from the client’s future settlement or court award. Medical providers may attempt to persuade their patients to sign a Letter of Protection. If asked to sign off on a Lien or Letter...","datePublished":"2026-01-27","dateModified":"2026-08-06","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/author\/rizklaw\/#Person","name":"Rizk Law","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/author\/rizklaw\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10e23ce5e6c4dadb4589cd8edf2c3f59ac356a6e876c3656917777913d9c3bc1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10e23ce5e6c4dadb4589cd8edf2c3f59ac356a6e876c3656917777913d9c3bc1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Rizk Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rizk-law-logo-footer.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rizk-law-logo-footer.jpg","width":278,"height":65}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letters-of-Protection-They-Protect-the-Medical-Provider-Not-You.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letters-of-Protection-They-Protect-the-Medical-Provider-Not-You.jpg","height":370,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/letters-of-protection\/","about":["Personal Injury"],"wordCount":412,"articleBody":"A Letter of Protection (L.O.P.) is a written agreement\u2014usually from a personal injury attorney to a healthcare provider\u2014indicating a provider will be paid from the client’s future settlement or court award.Medical providers may attempt to persuade their patients to sign a Letter of Protection.If asked to sign off on a Lien or Letter of Protection, ask your medical provider to contact your attorney. Do not sign a Letter of Protection without consent from your personal injury lawyer. Why LOPs are UsedThe injured person can\u2019t afford to pay for medical treatment upfront.Health insurance won\u2019t cover the care.Treatment is needed before a lawsuit or settlement will be resolved. How it WorksYou\u2019re injured (often in a car accident or similar incident).An attorney sends an LOP to a doctor, chiropractor, or medical facility.The provider agrees to treat you before claim resolution.The injured person agrees to pay the provider from probable and eventual settlement proceeds.If there is no recovery, payment terms depend on the LOP language and state law. Who is Involved?Patient (injured person)AttorneyMedical provider ProsAccess to medical care without upfront paymentAllows treatment to continue while the personal injury case is pendingHelpful when insurance denies a claim Cons \/ RisksBills may be higher than the eventual payout.Payment comes from the injured person\u2019s settlement proceeds, reducing their share.Should your claim fail, you may still owe the provider its unpaid balance.Complicates settlement negotiations. Common Situations Where LOPs are UsedAuto accidentsSlip and fall claimsWorkplace injuries caused by the negligence of a third partyOther personal injury claims Important TipsRead the LOP carefully before signing.Ask whether you are personally responsible for medical bills in the event there is no settlement.Compare available treatment versus using available health insurance.Make sure the provider is experienced with LOP cases. Questions About a Letter of Protection?If you’ve been asked to sign a Letter of Protection or medical lien after an accident, don’t make a decision without understanding your rights and obligations.An experienced personal injury attorney can review the agreement, explain how it may affect your settlement, and help you determine the best way to pay for your medical care while your claim is pending.Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and your legal options."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Letters of Protection: They Protect the Medical Provider, Not You.","item":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/letters-of-protection\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]