A. Every person, company, governmental entity, or trust authority operating an ambulance service within this state who or which performs ambulance services for any person injured as a result of the negligent or intentional act of another shall, if the injured person asserts or maintains a claim against another person for damages on account of the injuries, have a lien for the amount due for the ambulance services upon any recovery or sum had or collected or to be collected by the injured person or the estate of the injured person in the event of the injured person's death, whether by judgment, settlement, or compromise. The lien shall be inferior to any lien or claim of any attorney representing the injured person. The lien shall not be applied or considered valid against any claim for amounts due pursuant to the provisions of Title 85A of the Oklahoma Statutes.
B. In addition to the lien provided for in subsection A of this section, every person, company, governmental entity, or trust authority operating an ambulance service within this state who or which performs ambulance services for any person injured as a result of the negligent or intentional act of another shall have, if the injured person asserts or maintains a claim against an insurer, a lien for the amount due for the ambulance services upon any monies payable by the insurer to the injured person.
C. No lien which is provided for in this section shall be effective unless, before the payment of any monies to the injured person or the injured person's attorney or legal representative, as compensation for the injuries or death:
1. A written notice is sent setting forth a statement of the amount claimed, identifying the insurance policy or policies against which the lien is asserted, if any, and containing the name and address of the person, company, governmental entity, or trust authority claiming the lien, the injured person, and the person, firm, or corporation against whom the claim is made, is filed on the mechanic's and materialman's lien docket in the office of the county clerk of the county where the principal office of the claimant is located; and
2. The claimant sends, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, a copy of the notice with a statement of the date of filing thereof to the person, firm, or corporation against whom the claim is made and to the injured person. The claimant shall also send a copy of the notice to the attorney for the injured person, if the name and address of the attorney is known to the claimant.
D. A lien created pursuant to this section may be enforced in a civil action in the district court of the county where the lien was filed. An action shall be brought within one (1) year of a final judgment, settlement, or compromise of the claim asserted or maintained by or on behalf of the injured person. The practice, pleading, and proceedings in the action shall conform to the rules prescribed by the Oklahoma Pleading Code to the extent applicable.
Added by Laws 1995, c. 194, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 1999, c. 293, § 23, eff. Nov. 1, 1999; Laws 2018, c. 195, § 3, emerg. eff. May 3, 2018.