Importance of a Doctor Who Understands the Reporting Requirements For Med-legal Documentation of a Personal Injury Case
When an injured party makes a personal injury claim, a medical report is of utmost importance. Without adequate reports, or med-legal documentation, you don’t have a case – it’s as simple as that. The med-legal documentation helps attorneys know and understand how severe your injuries are or the extent of the injury. In addition, the documentation that a doctor provides helps your attorney prove your case to allow the most favorable settlement possible.
In car accidents, a medical report acts as legal evidence to justify treatment for an injury. These medical reports are often used to illustrate to an insurance company or jury the severity of your case which determines the compensation made by the insurance company. This is especially true when it comes to car accident cases, motorcycle accidents, or personal injury cases.
What If you don’t see a doctor?
Since it’s your right to get the treatment that you deserve, you won’t be able to receive it without getting the necessary evaluation by a doctor. Your insurance adjuster doesn’t really care if you have received treatment or not and many people are unaware that some adjusters receive bonuses if they persuade accident victims to delay or stop treatment. Many insurance adjusters may say that you didn’t receive a treatment because you weren’t really injured or your injuries were not that serious even though they have never physically evaluated the patient nor do they have the medical expertise to make such recommendations. They might refuse to pay or may pay you with only a small sum less than what you should be getting for your injuries for proper care. Any delay in treatment can reduce the amount of reimbursement paid.
You should also be aware that delaying your treatment due to transportation problems or lengthy gaps in care can negatively affect the settlement.
How a doctor can help?
You have to understand that without med-legal documentation, your lawyer doesn’t have the necessary evidence to prove your injuries. Your medical reports are an assessment to the extent and nature of the injury, how the injury progressed and what treatments have you been prescribed by the doctor. A doctor will provide you with the necessary evaluation in reports after thoroughly diagnosing your case which may include imaging, orthopedic testing, neurological testing, medical records, office appointment histories, account statements and billing records.
Normally, a med-legal report should include the following:
1. Victim’s post-accident records and evaluation
2. Current medical condition of the sufferer
3. Existence or extent of permanent disability noted during exam or imaging (x-rays, MRI, nerve conduction testing, etc.)
4. Ability to return to work
5. Extent of medical treatment
6. Extent of a new or further disability
It would help if your auto insurance has a health-care cover. In that case, you might be entitled to receive treatment with no out of pocket expenses. However, you need to have an evidence that proves your personal injury case is legal against the jury to claim for the compensation. A doctor who understands the reporting requirements for med-legal documentation could be the first thing that you should seek after when you have faced an injury in a car accident.