Agenda

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C.52

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	David Twa, County Administrator
Date:	February 3, 2009

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Medical Lien Reduction

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 02/03/2009

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

Contact:	Rich Seithel 335-1024
cc:	Lisa Driscoll Vickie Dawes Barbara Sheehy

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: February 3, 2009
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and ACCEPT the recommendation of the Lien Committee to reduce the County’s medical lien to $5,000 for medical care rendered to the minor child of Edward Castillo for treatment of injuries resulting from an automobile accident on May 26, 2007.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The net County cost is $34,456.

BACKGROUND:

Contra Costa County California Children Services authorized and paid for trauma services provided at John Muir Medical Center for the minor child of Edward Castillo, who was injured in a motor vehicle accident on May 26, 2007. Edward Castillo, on behalf of his minor child, engaged the Law Offices of Arnold Laub, to pursue damages from the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident and injured the child.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

Pursuant to Government Code Section 23004.1, Civil Code Section 3045.1, and Resolution No 67/963, Contra Costa County has a statutory lien against any damages recovered by Edward Castillo from the responsible third party. The attorney for Edward Castillo has requested that the County accept $5,000 instead of its medical costs of $73,912, due to financial hardship to the family and the fact that the defendant’s insurance policy limit is only $15,000.

The Lien Committee has reviewed the facts and circumstances of this case and is therefore recommending that the County agree to compromise its lien and accept $5,000 for its medical lien. The minor child will receive $5,000 and Mr. Laub will receive the remaining $5,000.

The fiscal impact to the County is $34,456, because the State of California is responsible for one-half of the medical expenses and the State will also receive one-half of the County’s $5,000 share of this reimbursement.