Medical debt was a problem in the US long before anyone even knew what COVID was. Known as the number one leading cause of bankruptcy, over the long term, medical debt has been an enormous issue. Part of the problem is that healthcare is so expensive, just one serious illness or injury can lead to astronomical bills. This is topped off by the fact that so many Americans do not have an emergency fund, or even enough in savings to handle a financial crisis over $500.
Few could have predicted the devastation a worldwide pandemic would bring to the health of the human race as a whole, much less the financial impacts that would ensue. Recent data shows that just between January and April of 2020, over 22 million people became unemployed, and 3 to 7 million people were suddenly without health insurance previously paid for (or subsidized) by employers. Even as jobs, and access to health insurance, started to become more available, consumers burdened by medical bills were experiencing a difficult road to recovery—and for COVID patients, this meant long-term health repercussions too.
Although debt collectors were discouraged from taking action for months, they are certainly back into action—and for some, it is obvious they are more aggressive then ever. You may be dealing with creditors, hospital collections, and even worse, you may have been served with a summons and complaint for a collection lawsuit. If so, speak with an experienced medical debt attorney from Fitzgerald & Campbell, APLC as soon as possible.
While there may be the option of negotiating with hospitals or other creditors, filing for bankruptcy could be the best option. No matter what, it is important to act quickly if you are being sued. Usually, you have only 20 to 30 days to respond to a lawsuit, and without any action at all, your financial situation could get much worse very rapidly in the face of a default judgment due to wage garnishments (up to 25 percent of your disposable income), levying of property, and freezing of checking accounts.
Speak with an attorney from Fitzgerald & Campbell, APLC as soon as possible to examine your options. Our attorneys have decades of experience in serving clients as they navigate through challenging financial situations, to include student loan issues, bankruptcy, and other debt management processes. We are here to help! Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation, call us at (844) 431-3851, or email us at info@debtorprotectors.com.