Will a Gap in Medical Treatment Affect My Indiana Personal Injury Claim?

After an accident in Indiana, victims may file a personal injury claim against a negligent party to recover damages. Unfortunately, many victims may not know that having gaps in medical treatment can negatively impact their Indiana compensation claim.

When there are gaps in a victim’s medical treatment, meaning they waited too long to see a doctor or have since missed crucial appointments, it can negatively affect their Indiana personal injury claim. Victims with a gap in their medical treatment may find it challenging to prove their need for damages or that a negligent party caused their injuries. Be sure to keep all scheduled appointments with medical professionals and inform your doctors if you need to reschedule. Your Indiana attorney can help you avoid gaps in medical treatment so that your personal injury claim is unaffected.

Our Indiana attorneys are dedicated to helping injured victims recover damages in a personal injury claim against a negligent party. For a free case evaluation with the Indiana personal injury lawyers at Wruck Paupore, call today at (219) 322-1166.

How Do Gaps in Medical Treatment Affect Indiana Personal Injury Claims?

If there are gaps in your medical treatment after an accident in Indiana, that can impact your personal injury claim. To recover money which is owed, victims must often demonstrate that they require compensation and are taking the necessary steps to heal.

In a personal injury lawsuit in Indiana, victims often seek economic damages. These damages attempt to compensate a victim for the financial impact a defendant’s negligence has had on their life. Often, the main purpose of economic damages is to compensate victims for medical expenses related to a defendant’s actions. If there are little to no medical expenses related to an Indiana accident because of gaps in your medical treatment, that can harm your claim.

Gaps in medical treatment can also harm Indiana victims seeking non-economic damages after an accident. Suppose there is a lack of medical records outlining the severity of your injuries. In that case, it can be more difficult to demonstrate the pain and suffering you’ve endured because of a negligent driver’s actions. Insurance companies often view a gap in treatment as a sign that injuries were not serious. Even worse, gaps in treatment sometimes raise questions whether particular injuries are even related to the accident for which you are claiming compensation.

What’s Considered a “Gap” in Medical Treatment After an Indiana Accident?

Having gaps in medical treatment is not ideal, especially if you’re attempting to recover damages through a personal injury claim in Indiana. Victims need to know what is considered a gap in medical treatment and if missing just one appointment with a doctor will affect them.

Generally speaking, there are two types of gaps in medical treatment that can affect personal injury claims in Indiana. The first is if victims wait a significant amount of time before seeking medical care after sustaining an injury. Waiting too long to seek treatment can make your injuries appear insignificant. When victims hesitate to get the medical care they need, connecting their injuries to a negligent party’s actions can be challenging. That is why your Indianapolis personal injury lawyers will always recommend victims seek immediate medical care after an accident and be sure to tell treating providers how the injuries occurred.

The second type of gap in medical treatment that can derail a personal injury claim is when a victim chooses not to seek additional medical care or misses appointments. When Indiana victims are seeking compensation from a negligent party in a personal injury claim, they must show that they have made a consistent effort to get the necessary care. So, it is important that you keep all appointments with medical professionals and take their advice for recommended treatments or medication. If you don’t, such a gap in your medical treatment can negatively impact your Indiana personal injury claim.

Are There Legitimate Reasons for Gaps in Medical Treatment in Indiana?

Sometimes, life gets in the way, and Indiana victims cannot maintain all scheduled appointments with doctors and specialists after sustaining an injury. If there are legitimate reasons for your gap in medical treatment, express that to your Fort Wayne personal injury lawyer.

Certain incidents, like car accidents, can cause injuries that aren’t easily recognizable. For example, victims who sustain whiplash or a concussion in an accident may not notice signs until days or weeks after. While this is a legitimate reason for a gap in medical treatment, it can still pose issues in a personal injury claim in Indiana. So, always seek medical attention immediately after an incident, even if you appear uninjured.

Unforeseen illnesses and other complications can cause Indiana victims to have a gap in their medical treatment. If you miss several appointments because life got in the way, inform your doctor and your Indiana personal injury lawyer. The medical professionals treating you can help you reschedule necessary appointments. If you have not done so, see the doctors as soon as you can. Our lawyers will take it from there and use time proven strategies to minimize the impact on your Indiana personal injury claim.

How to Prevent a Gap in Medical Treatment from Affecting Your Indiana Personal Injury Claim

Avoiding gaps in medical treatment is crucial for Indiana victims seeking compensation against a negligent party in a personal injury claim. Your attorney can help you maintain scheduled appointments and inform you of the negative impact that gaps in treatment can have on a lawsuit’s outcome.

Indiana accident victims may be unaware of the importance of maintaining scheduled doctor appointments and seeking continued medical care after an incident caused by a negligent party. If you hire an experienced Hammond personal injury lawyer, your attorney can express how damaging gaps in medical treatment can be.

When in doubt, follow your doctor’s orders and keep all scheduled appointments. The medical professionals treating you may be unconcerned with the outcome of your personal injury claim, but they do care about your health. The specialists and treatment plans suggested by medical professionals are crucial to your recovery. If you’re concerned about potential gaps in medical treatment impacting your personal injury claim, heed your doctors’ advice. If you do, there won’t be gaps in your medical treatment, and you will have a better chance of recovering sufficient damages in an Indiana personal injury claim.

Call Our Indiana Lawyers About Your Personal Injury Claim Today

If another person’s negligence caused your injuries and you require compensation, our attorneys can help. For a free case evaluation with the South Bend personal injury lawyers at Wruck Paupore, call today at (219) 322-1166.