After being involved in an accident and sustaining a personal injury, seeking medical treatment is important for not only your health and recovery, but also for any legal action you may pursue. Skipping medical appointments may seem harmless in the moment, but doing so can seriously hurt your personal injury case. To learn more and secure skilled representation, reach out to an experienced New York injury lawyer today.
Can Skipping Medical Appointments Hurt Your Injury Case?
Yes, skipping medical appointments can hurt your personal injury case for several reasons. Life can throw unexpected curveballs, so having to miss one or two appointments for an emergency is not the end of the world. However, a pattern of skipping treatment and check-ups can negatively impact your case. Consider the following.
One of the most important aspects of a personal injury case is evidence and documentation. Medical records can serve as crucial evidence to support the fact that you were injured as well as establish the extent of your injuries, required treatment, impact on your daily life, and more. When determining how much compensation to award, insurance companies and juries rely on this type of documentation. If you skip several appointments, it creates gaps in the timeline of your treatment.
Skipping multiple medical appointments can also be detrimental to your credibility. By failing to prioritize your health and follow your doctor’s medical advice, you could be seen as not taking your injuries seriously. An insurance company or jury may interpret this as you exaggerating your pain or attempting to collect more compensation than you need, since you seemingly do not care enough to attend your appointments.
Another major factor relevant in a personal injury case is proving that the defendant caused the injury. Consistent medical care and records can build a timeline connecting the accident to your injuries. If you miss appointments, it can leave gaps that allow the defense to argue that your injuries could have been caused by something else.
By skipping appointments, you are also delaying your recovery. Missing treatments could lead to worsening symptoms and complications, which could require additional care and increased medical expenses. Because you missed multiple appointments, you may not recover these costs in your compensation.
Besides delaying your recovery time, missing multiple medical appointments can be used against you during your case, even if your injuries are as severe as you are claiming. It is crucial that you adhere to your doctor’s recommendations to ensure that your physical well-being is protected, along with your legal options. Reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer today for more information and legal advice.
