How Medical Gaps Devalue Your Claim

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Categories: Auto Accidents, Medical MalpracticePublished On: November 20th, 2017

If you have been involved in a car or motorcycle accident and have sustained injuries, it is likely that you are receiving medical treatment or that you may require additional treatment. A common issue that comes up with respect to the value of a personal injury claim is gaps in treatment. This article will discuss how gaps in medical treatment affect a personal injury claim and the necessary action to take.

For individuals who have sustained injuries as the result of an accident, it is likely that they will be making a number of visits to the doctor. Such visits may include tests as well as follow ups to track the person’s injuries as well as their progress toward the healing process. It should be noted that it is of the utmost importance that the injured person keeps his or her appointments. This is especially important if the injured person decides to file a personal injury claim. Having a gap in treatment may result in lessening the amount of compensation that can be awarded to the injured person.

In order to fully understand the term, gap, the following should be noted; there are two types of gaps in treatment: one is where there is a gap between the occurrence of the accident and when the injured person first started getting treatment for the injuries sustained. For example, if an individual was involved in a car accident and he or she did not seek medical treatment until the third month.

The second type of gap is when the injured person sees a doctor for his or her injuries and then allows a number of months to go by before he or she goes to visit the doctor again.

With respect to a personal injury claim, the insurance adjuster will be looking for ways in which to devalue the claim. Therefore, if the insurance adjuster finds that there is a gap in your medical treatment, this will be the necessary ammunition to use as evidence that your injuries are not as severe as you are claiming they are. It is important not only to meet with your doctor regularly, but also for you to keep a journal of your visits, pain and symptoms that may be new or existing.

It is important to note that a gap in treatment does not necessarily mean that you are not injured. In fact, it is likely that if you have a gap in treatment, it is not because you were not experiencing pain and problems. In some situations, a gap simply cannot be avoided. For example, you may experience a sickness or illness that prevents you from making your appointments. It could be that you had an unrelated surgery that required extended healing time or you had to go out of town on vacation or to visit a sick relative. Such reasons are acceptable, however, they must be communicated with your attorney Anchorage AK, so that it can be documented, along with the reasoning for the gap and so it cannot be used against you by the insurance company.

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