After suffering an injury, you may have required intensive medical intervention to recover. Now that you’ve nearly healed, you might not feel the need to continue with your doctors’ visits and other treatments. After all, no one enjoys following long and tedious medical regiments. But before you stop your medical treatment, you should know the potential effect that doing so could have on your personal injury lawsuit.
The damage that quitting early can cause
Your personal injury lawsuit will involve settlement negotiations and maybe even a trial. Your attorney will attempt to prove the severity of your injuries, while the defense will likely try to prove that your injuries are not as serious as you make them out to be.
If you quit your treatment before you have been discharged by your doctors, you may be giving ammunition to the opposing side to use against you in your lawsuit.
The defense may argue that, since you voluntarily stopped your treatment – against your doctor’s instructions – that your injuries are not as severe as you claim – and that they should not have to compensate you as much for them.
What you should do
Follow your doctors’ instructions carefully and consistently, even if it is uncomfortable, tedious or expensive. They are the medical professionals and know what is best for you given your injuries. Keep track of all medical reports, receipts for medication, and any other documentation of your medical expenses. Make sure that you can show thorough documentation of the extent of your injury and of your recovery process.
Suffering a personal injury can severely limit your ability to live your life normally. By sticking with your medical regiment until the end, you can maximize your chances of being successful in your lawsuit and obtaining the compensation that you deserve.