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Ethical Issues Regarding Letters of Protection

/ 23.Oct, 2012

Here is an interesting opinion piece from the Hanford, California Sentinel regarding the enforcement of letters of protection (promises by attorneys to pay clients’ doctors’ bills out of lawsuit recovery, a type of medical lien).  Apparently, the California Bar used to investigate cases where attorneys allegedly disregarded letters of protection, but are now taking a hands of approach.  Letters of protection in general involve a number of interesting ethical and practical issues  for attorneys,  medical providers, and clients.  The most important ethical rule for both attorneys and medical providers is not to put their own financial interests in front of the clients.  The value of the letter of protection for the client should always be considered before signing a letter of protection.

-Josh J.T. Byrne, Esquire  (H.T. B.C.B.)

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