Section 34.35.475. Settlement after notice.

   (a) A person or insurer is liable to a hospital, physician, or nurse, in the amount that the hospital, physician, or nurse is entitled to receive, for 180 days after the date of a payment to the injured person, the heirs of the injured person, personal representatives, or the attorney of them, when the person or insurer
        (1) receives a copy of notice of lien, or the lien is recorded as provided in AS 34.35.460 and 34.35.465;
        (2) makes the payment after receipt of notice or the recording of the lien as compensation for the injury suffered; and
        (3) does not pay the hospital, physician, or the licensed special nurse for the reasonable value of the services rendered to the injured person and claimed in the notice of lien, or so much of the value of the services as can be satisfied out of a judgment, settlement, or compromise, after paying the attorney fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with it.
   (b) The hospital, physician, or nurse has a cause of action, during the 180 days, against the person or insurer.

Notes

History

(Sec. 6 ch 75 SLA 1959; am Sec. 5 ch 135 SLA 1996)