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Current as of January 01, 2022 | Updated by FindLaw Staff
1. Lien reduction; just and equitable basis. A hospital lien must be reduced by the patient's proportionate share of the patient's litigation or other recovery costs, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney's fees. A hospital lien must be satisfied not on the basis of a priority lien but on a just and equitable basis, which means that any factors that diminish the potential value of the patient's claim against which the lien is asserted must likewise reduce the share in the claim by the hospital for reimbursement for services provided. Such factors include, but are not limited to:
A. Questions of liability and comparative negligence or other legal defenses;
B. Exigencies of trial that reduce a settlement or award in order to resolve the claim; and
C. Limits on the amount of applicable insurance coverage that reduce the claim to an amount recoverable by the insured.
2. Dispute resolution. In the event of a dispute as to the application of this section or the amount available for payment to those claiming payment for services or reimbursement, that dispute must be determined, if the action is pending, before the court in which it is pending; or if no action is pending, by filing an action in any court for determination of the dispute.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maine Revised Statutes Title 10. Commerce and Trade § 3412-A. Limits on priority of hospital liens - last updated January 01, 2022 | https://codes.findlaw.com/me/title-10-commerce-and-trade/me-rev-st-tit-10-sect-3412-a/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.
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