Maine Revised Statutes Title 10. Commerce and Trade § 3413. Duration

A release of such causes of action, or any of them, or of any judgment on such a cause of action is not valid or effectual as against a lien under this chapter unless the lien holder joins in the action, or executes a release of the lien, and any person or persons, firm or firms or corporation or corporations, including an insurance carrier, making any payment to the patient or to the patient's attorneys or heirs or legal representatives, or to any other person as compensation for the injuries sustained, after the filing and receipt of such notice, without paying to the hospital the amount of its lien or so much of the amount of its lien as can be satisfied out of the moneys due under any final judgment or compromise or settlement agreement after paying the amount of any prior liens, are and remain, for a period of one year from the date of payment to the patient or the patient's heirs, attorneys or legal representatives, or other person, as provided, liable to the hospital for the amount the hospital was entitled to receive; and any such association, corporation or other institution maintaining the hospital may, within such period, enforce its lien by a civil action against the person or persons, firm or firms or corporation or corporations making any such payment. The assertion, claim or filing of such a lien may in no way be considered an election on behalf of the hospital, and the hospital retains all its rights to collect from the patient or from any other person legally liable for care, treatment and maintenance of the injured party.