Personal Injury Q&A: How Will the Pandemic Impact My Personal Injury Claim?
Q. I was injured in a car accident. Before the pandemic started, my doctor recommended regular physical therapy. Now, I don’t want to go out, so I’m just not getting medical treatment for my recovery. Is this going to impact my personal injury claim?
This is actually a question we are seeing a lot these days from our personal injury clients. Some version of, if I was injured in an accident, how should I handle medical treatment during the pandemic? And of course, this is an incredibly important question for everyone who is in need of medical care, regardless of the cause.
During these times of social distancing and staying home, we are all doing our part to minimize the spread of COVID-19. We are doing this by reducing the number of trips we take to the store, by avoiding large gatherings of people, and by shifting our work, school, and appointments online. But, for those who are in need of active medical treatment, how are you handling the current situation?
We should start by saying that, first and foremost, your health is the most important thing. We are not doctors, so your primary source of advice should be your medical care professional. From what we’ve seen, however, we can try to answer this question by pointing out some of the creative ways our clients are currently seeking and receiving care.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Telehealth Appointments
For many of our clients, telehealth appointments have been a valuable resource during this pandemic. Did you know that you can meet with a general practitioner, a physical therapist, and many other specialists over the phone or via video conference? You can also still receive prescriptions and check in with your doctors on a regular basis. If you have been avoiding receiving medical treatment because you didn’t want to go to the doctor’s office or hospital, we highly recommend you reach out to your doctor. You may be surprised at how things have adapted to make sure you receive top-notch medical care without leaving your home.
If You Need Them, Doctors are Still Seeing Patients
It’s also true that doctors are still seeing patients. If your symptoms are acute, or if you are in an accident during the pandemic, you can still go see a doctor in person. Just call ahead to make sure you are aware of any public health protocols the physician is observing. Ask as many questions as you have, and minimize your trips to the doctor by asking about telehealth appointments in combination with in-office visits.
Keep a Log of Your Symptoms and Treatment
We want to reiterate here that, at this time, your focus should be primarily on your own health and wellbeing. Get professional medical advice and use the resources available to help in the recovery process. However, we do know that many are also concerned about cost. Many are concerned about how this unusual time will impact an eventual personal injury claim or insurance settlement. Well, there are some things you can do to ease that worry a bit. The first thing is receive the medical treatment you need, in whatever form makes you feel most comfortable. However, even from home, you can also help keep track of your condition and your treatment by keeping a log. Track your symptoms, your treatment, and your condition while you are staying home. If you have days of pain, make a note of that. If you meet with your physical therapist via video conference, write that down too. A log will be extremely helpful when it is time to put together your records.
You are Not in This Alone
Remember, we are all living in this strange world at the same time. That means even things like how personal injury claims are structured and how insurance companies negotiate will likely change. At Wakefield Law, we are already in conversation with insurance companies and medical care professionals about how treatment is changing during the pandemic. Just do the best you can to receive the treatment you need. Keep yourself and your family safe. When it’s time, the experienced attorneys at Wakefield Law will advocate for you and make sure that the current situation is taken into account.
In Short, Don’t Forgo Treatment, There are Options Available
In answer to the question, yes. The pandemic will likely impact your personal injury claim in a myriad of ways. It will impact how and when you receive medical care and it may impact the way in which insurance companies negotiate settlements. But that doesn’t mean you have to be left in pain or in financial distress. First, get the medical attention you need in a way that makes you feel comfortable. Take advantage of all of the resources available. Keep a log of your condition, your symptoms, and your treatment. Then, let us take care of the rest.
If you are in need of representation to resolve a personal injury claim, reach out to the experienced attorneys at Wakefield Law. We are here to help. Our office number is (703) 771-9740, and our email address is law@wakefieldpllc.com.