If you have been harmed in an accident and are pursuing a personal injury claim, one of the most important things you can do – besides hiring a skilled attorney – is attend all of your doctor appointments. Skipping even a few medical appointments can seriously hurt your personal injury case, not to mention delay your recovery time. For more information and to obtain experienced legal advice during your case, reach out to a knowledgeable New Jersey personal injury lawyer today.
Why Are Medical Appointments Important During a Claim or Lawsuit?
Doctor and other medical appointments are important after a personal injury, namely to ensure that you receive the treatment you need to make a full recovery and prioritize your health. However, they also serve an important purpose during an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Making and sticking to your medical appointments is essential in a personal injury case to establish a record of your injury that can be used as evidence, link the injury directly to the accident, prove that you are taking your health seriously and trying to heal, and aid in calculating your damages.
How Can Skipping Medical Appointments Hurt My Personal Injury Case?
While it may seem like no big deal to skip one or two appointments here and there, it can actually have a significant impact on your case. Below are some of the main ways that skipping appointments can hurt your case.
- Weakens credibility: If you skip out on appointments and treatment, it can make it easier for the opposing side to argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim, that you are not taking your recovery seriously, that you are exaggerating in an attempt to secure higher compensation, etc. This will weaken your credibility and send the wrong message to the insurance company or jury.
- Creates gaps in documentation: Receiving consistent treatment ensures that there is a clear timeline of your injuries and the recovery process. If there are gaps in your care, the other side could suggest that you sustained additional injuries during that time as a result of some other incident and that the defendant did not cause the damage. It also lessens the amount of evidence you have to present to prove causation. Establishing that the accident caused by the defendant resulted in your injury is pertinent in ensuring you can recover damages.
- Reduced compensation: Missing appointments can give insurance adjusters the opportunity to minimize the amount they pay in compensation. Your inconsistent treatment can give them leverage to offer a lower settlement by claiming that further treatment isn’t necessary or arguing that your injuries were caused or worsened by your skipping out on appointments.
It is also important to keep in mind that inconsistent care and checkups can lead to worsened symptoms, complications, chronic issues, and a longer recovery time. Attending each appointment and adhering to the doctor’s orders is crucial for your health and legal action. Work with a skilled personal injury attorney for more information and representation.
