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Collateral Source Payments: What are they and How do they Affect Your Car Accident Money

Collateral source payments are received by a plaintiff in a Palm Beach County car crash case for compensation benefits from a party not involved in the lawsuit to compensate the plaintiff for damages suffered in their accident.  Pursuant to Florida Statute, a court must reduce the amount of such awards by the totatl of all amounts paid or which are otherwise available to the claimant from all collateral sources (i.e. social security benefits, public programs, health and auto insurance, PIP, disbaility insurance, etc.) in a judgment.  Worker's compensation, Medicaid and Medicare payments are excluded.  It is important that the issue of collateral source payments is handled carefully by a competent Lake Worth car accident attorney as these payments can affect your judgment and prevent you from getting a fair trial and the money you deserve.