Except as provided below, no settlement or general release or statement in writing signed by any person confined in a hospital or sanitarium as a patient with reference to any personal injuries for which the person is confined in the hospital or sanitarium shall be admissible in evidence, used or referred to in any manner, at the trial of any action to recover damages for personal injuries or consequential damages, so called, resulting therefrom, which statement, settlement, or general release was obtained within fifteen (15) days after injuries were sustained, and the settlement or release shall be null and void unless at least five (5) days prior to the obtaining or procuring of the general release or statement the injured party had signified in writing his or her willingness that the general release or statement be given. This section shall not apply to statements or releases obtained by police officers or inspectors of motor vehicles in the performance of their duty, from members of the family of the person, or by or on behalf of his or her attorney.