Debt collection agencies must abide by laws and regulations that are currently in place, which dictate the means by which they can attempt to collect upon debts. However, this does not mean that all debt collectors act in a legal manner. In fact, many debt collecting agencies are finding themselves in hot water. Furthermore, many hospitals that work with various debt collection agencies are finding themselves in lawsuits. The majority of these lawsuits are the result of illegal activity that debt collection agencies have engaged in, which were done while attempting to collect debts for hospitals. If you have been harassed by an agency that is attempting to collect a debt for a hospital bill that you haven’t paid, you may be able to sue the hospital. However, it may be far more difficult than you think to win such a lawsuit. If you are considering suing a hospital because of the activity of the debt collection agencies that they contract with, here are some considerations that you should keep in mind.
Illegal Debt Collection Practices
If you want to take legal action, you need to first make sure that the collection agency has engaged in illegal behavior. If you have been harassed with profanity or the collection agency has failed to properly identify themselves, you may be in a position to take legal action. If the debt collection agency has lied about the actual amount you owe, contacting an attorney may be an option. You might have a strong case if a collection agency has made personal threats to you. You are going to have to study the laws and determine whether or not you have been harassed, as this is going to determine whether or not you have a case that can be won in court. Contacting your attorney is generally a good idea if you are unsure whether or not you have a case.
Weigh Your Options
It can be tempting to contact a lawyer and make a quick decision in regards to filing a lawsuit. This is especially true if you feel you have been harassed and threatened by a debt collection agency. However, you need to consider who you are attempting to sue. Hospitals deal with lawsuits all the time, which means they are probably going to have a far greater financial budget than you. To put it plainly, there is a very good chance that you are going to be severely outgunned by the party you are attempting to sue. If this is the case, you may be in for an uphill battle. However, talking to your attorney will put you in a position to properly evaluate whether or not you want to move forward with legal action. If there are other options on the table that can rectify the situation more simply, you may be wise to consider going this route. No one wants to become entrenched in a legal battle with a large business, so think carefully before deciding to sue.
Settle Your Debt
There may be a good reason why the debt collection agency is contacting you in the first place. If you have utilized the services that a hospital has provided, it may be a good idea to simply make good on those debts. If you are unable to pay the debt you owe, you should talk to a company such as Pacific collection Group. Pacific collection Group can help you to make your debt more manageable. While most people think that debt collection agencies are simply out to harass and collect money, many are more than willing to make compromises. It can be in your best interest to work with a debt collection agency rather than attempting to fight fire with fire. In the end, a legal battle is going to cost you time and money that you most likely do not have in the first place. It is also extremely stressful to go to court, which is why taking legal action should probably not be your first option for resolution. The hospital may also be willing to settle for a lower payment, so you might want to give them a call. If a hospital is using a debt collection agency in the first place, it means that they are going to inevitably be paying the agency for their services. If they can reach a resolution with you as an individual, they are going to avoid this expense. If a resolution can be obtained without utilizing the court system, it is going to be better for every party involved