If you’ve been injured, what you do during your treatment and recovery phase can affect your health and your legal case. Check out four common mistakes people make when it comes to post-injury treatment so you don’t fall into one of these traps.
Ending treatment early
Premature treatment termination, or ending treatment early, is when someone stops going to the doctor’s office and following the assigned care plan for his or her injury. While no one loves going to the doctor’s office, it’s important that you follow your physician’s plan for your treatment to the letter. The steps he or she has decided you should follow are the best decision for your health and your path to recovery. If you stop mid-treatment, you could end up risking your well-being. Insurance companies and the legal representation of the person you’re holding liable for your injury will also review your medical records, and if you stop your treatments, it may harm your case later in court.
Not being honest with your doctor
You want your doctor to have a clear, honest idea of your medical history so he or she can treat your properly and not jeopardize your claim later. If you have a prior accident, for example, your need to let your doctor know. Not mentioning something doesn’t mean it won’t come out later because other parties related to the case will look at all your records. Your doctor might put forward opinions in your case that aren’t supported by documentation and all the available facts if he or she doesn’t know your true health history.
Being overly dramatic in the office
The person with the neck brace who is later caught skiing by insurance agents is a common movie trope, but it sometimes happens in real life. Don’t be overly dramatic in your doctor’s office. If you’re at a level three in terms of pain, avoid presenting to your doctor as if you’re at a level 10 or 12. The opposing party in your case and/or the insurance company involved may record you in your daily life. If you’re seen doing things like getting out of your car or walking somewhere and you’re not doubled over in pain, it’s going to seem strange that you’re in so much pain when you go see your doctor. Overstating your pain will also mislead your doctor, and you may end up with a treatment plan that is too aggressive or just not ideal for your actual injury.
Treating too much
While you want to follow your doctor’s advice, you don’t want to over-treat an injury either, especially when it comes to things such as chiropractic visits. Over-treatment can actually make your problems worse, and insurance companies view too much treatment as a red flag in most cases. Going to see a chiropractor for two to three months, for example, is perfectly fine, but seeing one for two years for three to four days each week seems excessive and is something that will be questioned in your case.
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