It is one thing to seek medical attention after your personal injury accident. But it is another thing to leave this medical visit with the intent to follow your doctor’s recommended steps toward a full recovery. Without this intention and taking subsequent affirmative actions, you may lessen your chances of a solid personal injury claim. Please follow along to find out what happens to your claim if you do not follow medical advice and how one of the proficient Panama City personal injury attorneys at Manuel & Thompson, PA can help you salvage it if necessary.
What does it mean to listen to medical advice?
Depending on the nature and extent of your incurred bodily injuries, listening to medical advice may be seen and done in varying ways. For example, this may mean that you routinely take the medications prescribed to you; use the handicap assistive devices given to you; undergo the surgical procedures recommended to you; attend the physical therapy sessions required for you; and more. Further, this may mean seeing your doctor’s administered treatment plan all the way through, rather than basing it off when you start to feel better. Overall, it is important to hold yourself accountable in listening to medical advice so that you may reach a full recovery.
What happens to my personal injury claim if I do not listen to medical advice?
First of all, not listening to medical advice may make your once-treatable bodily injuries chronic, life-altering, or life-threatening. Even if you soon realize this and pick up where you left off, you may not receive the same level of recovery as another patient who listened. What’s more, though, neglecting to follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan may negatively affect the strength of your personal injury claim.
For one, you may allow the defendant and their legal team to convince the Florida civil court that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. That is, they may argue that your injuries could not possibly be causing you so much pain and suffering if you are not taking your medications, not attending your therapy sessions, etc. Or, they may even put into question whether your injuries are directly correlated to the accident.
Well, say that you can confirm the severity of your injuries and their link to the accident. Even still, the defense may respond by stating that they would not have become so chronic, life-altering, or life-threatening if you listened to your offered medical advice in the first place.
If you still have doubts about how to proceed forward, please consult with one of the talented Panama City personal injury attorneys. Our team at Manuel & Thompson, PA will point you in the right direction.