How can I make the person who assaulted me pay for my medical bills?

Question

I was at a bar about to leave when I was assaulted by a female. It results to the assault. I had to replace my glasses and one of my front teeth was damaged which may result in a root canal. What do I need to do to make her pay for my damages and medical bills?

Gregory Janks · Answer

You can press charges and see if the Prosecutor/Judge will require  her to pay/reimburse you.       If you've reported the matter as criminal activity, you can seek  Crime Victim's Compensation from the State of Michigan.       Also you can sue her in civil court and see if the court will order  such payments. Alternatively, you can get a Judgment against her and  garnish her wages/assets.

Ronald A. Steinberg · Answer

That is a criminal act.  File a police report and prosecute her.  You can also sue her, but you will have to get a collection lawyer.

Derek Hall · Answer

If you have filed criminal charges against that person, the court can impose restitution to make her pay for the damage. You can also file a civil suit for damages against her. Nothing prohibits you from doing both.

Lawrence Kahn · Answer

If the total damages are $5000 pr less, you can sue her in small claims court without a lawyer.

Richard Wooster · Answer

Was she charged with a crime.  If yes, you may get restitution as part of the criminal proceeding.  If no, then you will have to hire an attorney and get a judgment against her.

Gary Platt · Answer

Unless she agrees to pay you for these bills voluntarily, you will  likely  have to file a lawsuit.  Be warned, however, that unless you have  one or  more very believable (and preferably unbiased) witnesses in your favor,  your  chances of winning are not good in these cases.  Note also that even  if you  win the lawsuit and get a judgment against this person, you may have a  lot  of trouble trying to collect if the defendant doesn't have any assets or,  at  least, a regular income.

Paul Whitfield · Answer

You swear out a warrant for assault and hope the judge makes her pay your bills as a condition of probation or suspended sentence (assuming she is found guilty) Some criminal court judges wont do that. in that case sue her in  Judge Judy court (small claims)I need to tell you that judges don't care for bar fights. Nor do juries. They figure you get what you ask for

J. Michael End · Answer

If she will not voluntarily compensate you, you have no alternative but to file a lawsuit against her.  It might be best for you to wait until you know whether you will need the root canal, or not.  It is better not to have anything undone at the time of the settlement, if possible.  The statute of limitations in Wisconsin is three years from the date of the assault.

James Kelaher · Answer

If the total damages are less than $5,000, you can sue her in small claims court, and you wouldn't need a lawyer.

Brett Rosenthal · Answer

Send her a demand letter for the cost of your damages and indicate that is she is unwilling to pay would file small claims action.

Mark Leonardo · Answer

First make a written demand.  If that does not work, either hire an attorney or sue her in small claims court.

Thomas Edward Gates · Answer

Take her to small claims.

David Stoddard · Answer

If she was charged criminally, you can ask that restitution be a part of her sentence.  This does not guarantee that it will be collected, but it is worth a try.  Other than that, there is little you can do.  You can file a lawsuit in small claims court and if you win get a judgment against her, but judgments are difficult to collect against the type of people who assault people in bars.

John Hone · Answer

Tell the assaulter that you will drop criminal charges if he pays your medical bills.

John Brennan · Answer

You will have to bring a civil suit alleging and assault and battery, and seeking damages.

Andrew Velonis · Answer

Contact the DA's office.  They might have a victim witness assistance program that will pay those expenses and then she has to pay them back as part of her sentance or plea bargan.

James Eugene Hasser · Answer

Get with the prosecutor and make sure restitution is made part of any sentencing she may receive for the assault and battery conviction or plea.

Mark T. Peters · Answer

Sue her in small claims court.

Stephen Lombardi · Answer

File criminal charges and the Court will order restitution as part of the sentencing.

Lisa Hurtado McDonnell · Answer

Tell her if does not pay your glass and medical bills you will file assault charges against her.

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How can I make the person who assaulted me pay for my medical bills?

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