What is the collateral source rule?

The collateral source rule is an integral part of accident law in Illinois. It is a legal rule that protects a person who has been injured in an accident by ensuring that the defendant in the case is not able to make a claim for payment or coverage from a source other than the plaintiff. In Illinois, this rule applies to all cases involving personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. The rule states that any amount of money that an injured person receives from a source other than the person or entity responsible for the injury should not be taken into account when calculating damages or other relief due to the injured person. The collateral source rule is designed to make sure that the defendant does not benefit from getting retribution from some other source. The purpose of the collateral source rule is to ensure that the plaintiff is not taken advantage of by the defendant. It ensures that a plaintiff will not have to pay more out of pocket than they would have if the money had been paid by the defendant. It also prevents defendants from claiming compensation from sources that are not directly related to the accident, such as insurance companies or medicare. Ultimately, the goal of the collateral source rule is to ensure that any party that is at fault in an accident is held financially responsible for all of the damage and injury they cause. This protects victims of accidents by making sure they get the compensation they are due.

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What is the collateral source rule?

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