NO RECOVERY NO FEES
Fri 28th Jul | 2017

Why is it Important to Listen to Your Doctor After an Accident?

The Week in Torts BY

In previous blogs, we have discussed why seeking a timely medical evaluation after an accident is important to your health and your personal injury case, should you choose to file one. Some of our recent posts have focused on what you can discuss with your doctor after being involved in an accident, as well as why it is important to take certain types of injuries seriously, including brain injuries. These blogs have made it clear that your health should always be a priority. However, seeking medical treatment provides little help if you don’t listen to your doctor’s advice.

As a nationally recognized personal injury law firm, Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Littky-Rubin & Whitman that has helped victims throughout West Palm Beach, Florida, and the United States successfully navigate their recoveries and cases following preventable accidents. Over the years, we have seen how following medical advice not only enables injured victims to recover physically but also allows them to strengthen their case and financial recoveries. Here are a few reasons why following doctors’ orders is important:

  • Avoiding certain activities – Injuries sustained in accidents have the potential to create extensive limitations in your life. This means they can prevent you from engaging in the types of activities you typically enjoy, or even from performing the type of work you normally perform. Based on your injuries and the nature of your treatment and recovery, doctors may advise you to avoid certain activities, limit your work, or avoid working in your profession for a certain period of time. While this can create concerns for victims who may be facing financial difficulties, returning to work or activity prematurely can greatly compromise your recovery, and can cause further complications and injuries. Remember, successful personal injury claims can allow you to recover losses resulting from your injuries, including your loss of quality or enjoyment of life, and your lost wages.
  • Improving your recovery and outcome – Your doctor has an obligation to provide their medical opinion about what they believe will best help you recover from your injuries. This means they will provide recommendations regarding your treatment. While you ultimately have the right to make decisions about your treatment, it is best to consider their opinion and why certain treatment approaches are needed. If a doctor recommends conservative cares, such as physical therapy, pain management, or chiropractic care, then following their advice as to how often you should be treating is important. Skipping appointments can prove counterproductive to your recovery. If injuries are more severe or conservative treatment does not help with pain, your doctor may recommend more invasive procedures, such as surgery. Not taking this advice and avoiding suggested treatments could cause more harm than good, and lead to further problems, limitations, or even disabilities in your future. Following treatment, advice can be essential to helping with your recovery and your health.
  • Insurance companies may capitalize on your avoidance of treatment – When you don’t follow a doctor’s advice, you put not only your health at risk but also any recovery you would make in a personal injury case. When you choose not to follow a doctor’s recommendations, such as when you decline treatment thinking you can tough things out or because you believe you don’t have time or funds to treat, insurance companies may be quick to highlight that as a sign that you are not really injured. This tactic will aid them in their efforts to dispute or deny a claim. When your case is concluded, you may not be able to secure the compensation you need to cover your damages, especially if the pain you experienced all along created burdens in your life, or if you need to seek further care for untreated injuries that become worse.

Doctors exist for a reason – they help you treat injuries so you can live life free from pain and limitations, or to recover as well as you possibly can. Not following their advice is a disservice to yourself that puts your health and future at risk, as well as any personal injury claim you may wish to pursue. If you have questions about navigating health care and legal issues following your accident, our legal team at Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Littky-Rubin & Whitman can help you do so during a free case evaluation. Contact us today to request yours.