Yes, stopping treatment may affect your ability to recover fair compensation for your personal injury claim. Many people face challenges like high medical costs, feeling better after initial care, or struggling to schedule appointments. However, discontinuing treatment can have serious consequences for both your recovery and your claim. Insurance companies often use gaps in treatment to question the severity of your injuries or your commitment to recovery, which could lower the compensation you deserve.
It’s natural to worry about the financial burden of ongoing treatment, but there are ways to manage costs and ensure your health stays on track. Our Maryland personal injury lawyers can help you understand the risks of stopping treatment, common pitfalls to avoid, and steps you can take if you’re considering making changes to your care. Your health is the priority, and informed decisions will protect your legal rights.
Why Consistent Treatment Is Important in Personal Injury Claims
There are many ways in which consistent treatment can help strengthen your personal injury claim. Below, we’ll explain a few of these ways:
Medical Records as Evidence
Medical records are the backbone of any personal injury claim. They document your injuries, the severity of your condition, and the care you’ve received. Consistent treatment creates a clear timeline, making it easier to prove the connection between the accident and your injuries.
Remember that, in Maryland, you can always request access to your medical records if you need to verify a timeline of your treatment or scheduled appointments.
Demonstrating Commitment to Recovery
Insurance adjusters often evaluate your commitment to recovery. Regular treatment signals that your injuries are serious and that you’re actively working to heal, which strengthens your credibility.
Impact on Settlement Offers
Insurance companies closely analyze medical history when determining settlement amounts. If you stop treatment prematurely, they may argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as claimed, leading to lower settlement offers. Consistent care helps ensure that your claim reflects the full scope of your losses, including ongoing pain and potential future medical expenses.
Reasons People Stop Treatment After a Personal Injury
There are several reasons why people stop medical treatment after an injury. While these challenges are understandable, they can impact your personal injury claim if not managed properly. Common reasons include:
- Financial Concerns: Medical bills can add up quickly, and some people worry they can’t afford continued care. If your insurance does not cover your care, talk to the hospital about payment plans.
- Feeling Better: Many individuals assume they no longer need treatment once they feel better, but injuries can resurface or worsen without proper care.
- Frustration or Exhaustion: The recovery process can be physically and emotionally draining, leading some to give up on treatment.
- Access Issues: Difficulty finding specialists, transportation problems, or long appointment wait times can make treatment feel unattainable. If transportation is an issue, check to see if your hospital or county offers transportation services for those seeking non-emergency medical care.
Recognizing these challenges is the first step to addressing them. Taking proactive measures ensures your health and claim aren’t negatively impacted.
Consequences of Stopping Treatment After a Personal Injury
Stopping medical treatment prematurely can have significant consequences for your personal injury claim. These include:
- Reduced Credibility: Gaps in treatment can make it appear as though your injuries aren’t serious or that you’ve fully recovered, weakening your case.
- Difficulty Proving Damages: Without ongoing records, it becomes harder to show the extent of your pain, suffering, and the need for future medical care.
- Questioned Injury Validity: Insurance companies may argue that your injuries aren’t related to the accident if you stop treatment or forgo treatment altogether.
- Lower Settlement Offers: Adjusters often use a lack of treatment as leverage to reduce the value of your claim, arguing that ongoing care wasn’t necessary.
Maintaining consistent treatment demonstrates the severity of your injuries and supports the compensation you deserve for medical costs, pain, and long-term effects.
What to Do If You’re Thinking About Stopping Personal Injury Treatment
If you’re considering stopping your treatment, there are a few steps you should take before doing so. These steps are:
Consult Your Doctor
Before making any decisions, speak with your healthcare provider. They can help you understand the risks of stopping treatment and may offer alternative solutions tailored to your recovery needs.
Explore Alternatives
If traditional treatment feels overwhelming, consider lower-cost or more convenient options, such as physical therapy, telehealth appointments, or home-based exercises. These can keep your recovery on track while addressing practical concerns.
Document Your Reasons
If you must pause or stop treatment, keep detailed records explaining your decision. Notes about financial issues, scheduling conflicts, or perceived recovery can provide important context for your claim.
Communicate With Relevant Parties
Let your attorney or insurance provider know about any changes in your treatment. This transparency helps mitigate potential misunderstandings or disputes later in the claims process.
Taking these steps ensures your health and legal rights remain protected.
How to Mitigate the Impact if You’ve Already Stopped Treatment of Your Injury
Take these actions if you’ve already stopped treatment:
Resume Treatment Immediately
If you’ve stopped treatment, restarting as soon as possible is crucial. Resuming care rebuilds the medical timeline needed to support your claim and demonstrates your commitment to recovery.
Provide Clear Explanations
Be prepared to explain why you paused treatment. Valid reasons, including financial hardship, access issues, or temporary improvement in symptoms, should be documented thoroughly.
Seek Medical Expert Testimony
If you have retained a personal injury lawyer, they may consider consulting a medical expert as evidence for your claim. A medical professional can evaluate your condition and provide a detailed opinion about your injury and its connection to the accident. Their expertise can help fill any gaps in your treatment history.
Consider Independent Evaluations
If you’ve been away from treatment for a while, scheduling an independent medical evaluation can strengthen your case. This fresh assessment provides updated evidence of your injuries and any ongoing or future needs.
Even if treatment has stopped, taking proactive steps can help minimize the damage to your personal injury claim and preserve your legal options.
Contact a Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’re thinking about stopping your treatment or have already done so, reach out to a Maryland personal injury lawyer for help with your claim. One of our attorneys can advise you on the next steps, communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, and gather evidence to support your personal injury claim.
At Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers, we will connect you to our high-quality medical providers so that you can continue your care. Contact us today to get started on your case with a free initial consultation.
