(a) If medical assistance is provided to a recipient under the Alabama Medicaid Program for injuries, disease or sickness caused under circumstances creating a cause of action in favor of the recipient against any person, firm or corporation, then the State of Alabama shall be subrogated to such recipient's rights and shall be entitled to recover the proceeds that may result from the exercise of any rights of recovery which the recipient may have against any such person, firm or corporation to the extent of the actual amount of the medical assistance payments made by the Alabama Medicaid Program. The recipient shall execute and deliver instruments and papers to do whatever is necessary to secure such rights and shall do nothing after said medical assistance is provided to prejudice the subrogation rights of the State of Alabama.

(b) The State of Alabama may, to enforce such rights, institute and prosecute legal proceedings against any such person, firm or corporation against whom such recovery rights arise, intervene or join any action or proceeding brought by such recipient against such person, firm or corporation or compromise or settle any such claim. No action taken by the State of Alabama shall operate to deny such recipient's recovery for that portion of his damages not subrogated to the State of Alabama under subsection (a) of this section and no action of the recipient shall prejudice the state's subrogation rights.

(c) Any such recipient seeking to recover damages relating to or in any wise connected with such circumstances giving rise to recovery rights who institutes any civil action against such party shall, within 10 days of filing thereof, provide the director of the Alabama Medicaid Program and the Attorney General of the State of Alabama a written notice thereof and a copy of the complaint and all amendments thereto.