What is a Letter of Protection?
A Letter of Protection (LOP) is a document issued by an attorney to a healthcare provider, guaranteeing that medical bills will be paid out of a future personal injury settlement or judgment. It lets patients who don't have the funds available upfront get the emergency care they need right away.
When you present an LOP at our ER, your attorney takes on the responsibility for eventual payment, so you can focus on treatment and recovery instead of how to cover the bill today.
How it works.
- 1 You or your attorney reach out. Bring your Letter of Protection with you, or have your attorney's office send it to our billing team before or during your visit.
- 2 We verify and begin treatment immediately. There's no delay in care while paperwork is processed — you're seen and treated the same as any patient.
- 3 Our billing team coordinates with your attorney's office. Payment is settled from your case resolution — you won't receive collections or upfront bills during recovery.
Who benefits from an LOP.
Immediate access to care
Get treated right away, regardless of what funds you have available today.
Full treatment, not rationed care
Access the complete range of care your condition requires — not just what you could pay for out of pocket.
No upfront bills or collections
Payment is deferred until your case resolves, so you can focus on recovery.
Direct attorney coordination
Our billing team works directly with your attorney's office for a streamlined process.
Common accident injuries we treat.
We treat the full range of injuries typically seen after auto accidents and other personal injury incidents, including:
Why ER Of Fort Worth for LOP care.
Board-certified ER physicians
Full emergency-level evaluation and treatment for accident injuries.
Imaging & lab on-site
Documented findings that support your case, the same visit.
Experienced with LOP billing
Our billing office regularly coordinates with personal injury attorneys.
24/7, no-wait access
Get evaluated right after an accident, any time of day.
Frequently asked questions.
What is a Letter of Protection?
A document from your attorney guaranteeing that your medical bills will be paid from a future settlement or judgment, allowing you to receive treatment now without paying upfront.
Do I need an attorney to use an LOP?
Yes, a Letter of Protection is issued by your attorney. If you don't yet have one but expect to pursue a claim, our billing team can discuss your options.
Will this affect my settlement?
Medical bills covered under an LOP are typically paid out of your settlement or judgment before you receive your portion, which is standard practice for LOP arrangements.
What if my case doesn't settle?
LOP terms vary by attorney agreement. Your attorney can explain the specific terms of your arrangement, including what happens if your case doesn't result in a settlement.
Can I use an LOP for follow-up care too?
Many LOPs cover a course of related treatment, not just the initial visit. Our billing team can confirm what's covered under your specific letter.
Care across North Texas.
We serve patients from Fort Worth and surrounding communities including:
Related care worth knowing about.
If you're coming in after an accident, we also treat orthopedic injuries and fractures around the clock. Want to know who's treating you? meet our board-certified ER physicians, or contact our billing team with LOP questions.