[USER]

I wanted to see if anyone had advice on a couple things. I’ve been home for almost 6 weeks recovering from surgery. I’m in school, and do grocery delivery.

I’ve been off work this whole time. Not earning money.

Our only debt is mortgage. And now medical debt. Our insurance isn’t great, high out of pocket max, almost $9000. For CT and surgery, I owe almost that much.

We make too much for financial aid. I haven’t cake yet, but the social worker said there might be some small things available.

They do not take Care Credit! I could set up payments, but with not making money for 6 weeks, i need to catch up for other things. It’ll take me forever to pay this without using my savings.

In your experience, do you think i could ask for what i owe to be lowered if i paid a lump sum?

If so, what would a reasonable amount be to ask for?

second thing…. I was gong back to working next week. We finally had good temps today. My dog and I have had cabin fever. So, I took us for a walk.

We turned around at the end of the street, and all of a sudden a good size dog came running from behind a house and ran straight for my dog. Attacked her, went for her neck.

I was screaming while unsuccessfully trying to pull the dog off her.

Owners ran out, got the dog. They did apologize. I just wanted out of there.

I got pulled down, scraped my knee and my hand. I’m sure I’ll be more sore tomorrow.

My husband went down there, got owners info. I called the police/animal control.

They took a report, and later picked up the dog for quarantine. Owner told us the dog broke through the fence.
We thought our dog had a bit or cut on her leg.

We took her to the vet and they looked her over.

It was just blood, but they found a couple small wounds on the inside of her leg, and a bit on her neck we didn’t see. They were swamped, and couldn’t treat it.

So we have a $411 bill at put urgent care. 4 staples, plus medication. Can’t use a collar, because of location.

Now I may not be able to work next week, because we need to keep an eye on her. And I’ll miss time to get her staples out. I may be too sore also to work for a few days too.

Any advice on how to handle this? I at least want them to pay vet bills. I can ask them to, or ask for their insurance info to file a claim.

I didn’t know if it was worth discussing with a lawyer first? Not sure if it’s even worth pursuing for wages I’ll lose or not.

Or if I should just get advice for if they won’t pay, or if we end up with any additional bills?

I did not go to urgent care, as we were more concerned with our dog. I did take photos of injuries.

Just wondering if anyone had anything similar, and any advice on this. Never dealt with anything like this before! Oh, and animal control told me this is not the first bite incident with this dog!

Thanks.

[Rachel]

I’d ask for 50% off your medical bill, but be prepared they may only offer 5%. 10%-20% off is typical.

[Alicia]

A dog that has attacked twice will attack again. Talk to animal control about what they can do to ensure the dog is removed from the home or the owners keep the dog actually contained on their property (since the fence obviously isn’t working and the dog now knows how to get through it).

Otherwise, you won’t be safe walking your dog ever again, and the next attack could be someone’s child.

[Elle]

If you are interested in a future safety solution I suggest asking your neighbor to muzzle their dog when outside.

It is much less extreme than some of the other suggestions.

[Cheryl]

I would definitely have them pay/reimburse you for the vet bill. Personally, I wouldn’t ask for anything else.

[Matty]

Below is a detailed response, broken into two sections, addressing the concerns as though I am both a medical debt advisor and a personal injury lawyer. This will provide actionable advice for both situations.

Medical Debt Advice
First, let’s tackle the medical debt situation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this:

1. Negotiating Your Medical Bills
Yes, you can negotiate your bill down. Many hospitals and medical providers are willing to reduce bills, especially if you can pay a lump sum.

Start by contacting the billing department and explaining your situation.

What to ask for:
Request a “prompt pay discount” if you can pay a portion upfront.
Ask if they offer a settlement amount for paying in full. A reasonable starting point might be offering 50-60% of the total bill as a lump sum.

If they decline, ask them to provide an itemized bill and review it for errors or unnecessary charges (this happens more often than you’d think).

2. Payment Plans
If a lump sum isn’t feasible, set up an interest-free payment plan with the provider. Be honest about what you can afford monthly.
Some hospitals have financial hardship programs even if you don’t qualify for traditional financial aid. Ask about this explicitly.

3. Other Resources
Nonprofit Assistance: Organizations like RIP Medical Debt or local charities may help reduce or eliminate medical bills.

State-Specific Programs: Depending on your location, some states have programs that assist with medical debt for individuals with high out-of-pocket costs.

4. Avoid Using Savings (If Possible)
Before dipping into savings, exhaust all negotiation options. Savings are crucial for emergencies, and medical providers are often more flexible than they initially appear.

Personal Injury Lawyer Advice
Now let’s address the dog attack incident involving your dog and your injuries.

1. Immediate Next Steps
You’ve already done an excellent job by:
Taking photos of your injuries.
Documenting the vet bill and your dog’s injuries.
Filing a report with animal control (which strengthens your case).
Since animal control confirmed this isn’t the first bite incident with this dog, it strengthens your claim further because it demonstrates negligence on the part of the dog owner.
2. Request Compensation from the Dog Owner
Start by contacting the dog owner directly (if you’re comfortable) and politely request that they cover:
The $411 vet bill.
Any additional costs related to follow-up vet care (e.g., staple removal).
Lost wages if you’re unable to work due to caring for your injured dog or due to your own injuries.
If they agree, make sure any payment is documented in writing.
3. Filing an Insurance Claim
If they refuse or hesitate, ask for their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance information. Most policies cover dog bite incidents, including damage caused by their pet to other animals or people.
File a claim through their insurance company for:
Vet bills.
Lost wages.
Pain and suffering (if applicable).
4. Legal Action (If Necessary)
If the owner refuses to cooperate or their insurance denies the claim, consult with a personal injury attorney who specializes in dog bite cases. Many attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency (meaning they only get paid if you win).
Given that this dog has a history of biting, you may also have grounds to pursue punitive damages to deter future negligence.
5. Your Own Injuries
Even though you didn’t go to urgent care for yourself immediately, document any pain or worsening symptoms over the next few days.
If your injuries require medical attention later, include those costs in any claim against the dog owner.
Additional Considerations
Animal Control Follow-Up: Since this isn’t the first incident with this dog, animal control may take further action against the owner (e.g., fines, mandatory training requirements). Stay in touch with them for updates.
Small Claims Court: If negotiations fail and legal representation isn’t feasible, you can file a small claims court case for reimbursement of vet bills and lost wages without needing an attorney.
Summary of Actions
For medical debt:
Contact the billing department to negotiate a reduced lump-sum payment or set up an affordable payment plan.
Explore nonprofit assistance or state programs if needed.
For the dog attack:
Request reimbursement directly from the owner or file an insurance claim.
Consult with a personal injury lawyer if negotiations fail or additional damages arise.

[Author]

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