For better or for worse, the medical treatment you receive directly affects your settlement. It is imperative that your medical treatment is proper and consistent throughout your case to not only speed up the legal process, but ensure maximum compensation on your case.
Insurance adjusters are not attorneys, nor do they have a legal background. They are trained to evaluate the accident for determining fault, review the injuries based on the recommendations and treatment of the patients and offer a fair settlement after an accident. They understand that if they refuse settlement on a case with obvious evidence to justify a large settlement, they could risk their company being sued for a far larger amount in litigation.
Adjusters are also trained to look for irregularities that may save their company money.
Your personal injury attorney should assist you with this, but you also have a responsibility to present this evidence with as little irregularities as possible. A client can ruin their case, which is why we created a Medical Treatment checklist for clients to keep with them during their treatment process. Later in this article, we will provide you with a downloadable .pdf, but for now let’s dive into its benefits.
The Power of Consistent Medical Treatment
When you go to each new doctor, regardless of their expertise, they will ask you about your injuries. It is important that you mention ALL of your injuries. This includes describing your head pain and your back pain to your chiropractor. Your medical provider will notate your injuries and they will be reflected in their reporting. That reporting is what will be given directly to your insurance. If they find inconsistencies in reports from provider to provider, they will attempt to use it against you in your case.
Immediately fill out the injury section of our Medical Treatment form with all injuries, symptoms, and pain you experience. Take the form with you so that you don’t miss explaining any symptoms. You can also just show the provider the form to make it easy on them.
Incorrect Medical Treatment Ruins a Personal Injury Case
Another aspect of your case that they look for in avoiding compensation is they type of treatment provided.
Is the treatment correct for the described injuries?
Did the client overtreat?
Should there be incorrect medical treatment, it will severely damage your case and your ability to be compensated. In our medical treatment form, we have a section to fill in your appointments. Although your attorney should be on top of proper medical treatment and your appointments, keeping note of each appointment will stop from them falling through the cracks. You may be surprised how often this happens with inexperienced firms.
When your provider recommends a procedure, note it on the form and call your attorney to discuss what that may mean to your case.
Loss of Earnings
It is common, for those involved in an accident to miss time from work. This lost time (loss of earnings) will be included in your case to be compensated if you were not at fault. We have also created a section for this on the medical treatment form. If it is not notated and presented to the insurance agent in a loss of earnings statement, it will not be included in your case.
Conclusion
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, download the Medical Treatment Checklist below to assist you with your case. Should you need any assistance on your case, setting up treatment, negotiating bills, or just have a simple personal injury question do not hesitate to contact our office. The attorneys at Accident Counsel understand what hurdles you are going through and will help you every step of the way of your case. We are here to help.
DOWNLOAD OUR MEDICAL TREATMENT CHECKLIST – HERE –
