Medical expenses make up a significant portion of most personal injury settlements and verdicts. Unfortunately, that means if the patient makes a mistake when seeking care or dealing with health care providers, it can jeopardize the entire case. Here, the strategic team at D’Agosto & Howe in Shelton, CT, shares a few common errors to avoid.

3 Medical Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Personal Injury Claim

1. Postponing Treatment

If you do not require emergency medical care at the scene of the accident, seeking treatment may not necessarily be a priority upon leaving; however, letting too much time pass between the incident and when you visit a doctor could jeopardize your claim. The opposing party might argue that the accident in question was not responsible for your injuries or that you are partially liable for their severity because you put off seeing a doctor.

2. Ignoring Medical Advice

Failing to attend follow-up appointments or ignoring your doctor’s advice will undermine your personal injury claim. Both demonstrate that the injuries are not all that serious — or that you are contributing to their severity — and therefore may not warrant a settlement.

3. Treating Only the Physical Symptoms

There is a reason why accident victims are allowed to recover compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress. Sustaining unanticipated injuries is stressful, and it’s crucial for claimants to seek care for their mental health and save all records and receipts for doing so. Otherwise, they may end up with a settlement that only covers a fraction of the damages they incurred.

If you were hurt because of someone else’s negligence, turn to D’Agosto & Howe in Shelton, CT. By hiring a personal injury lawyer from their team early in the proceedings, you can avoid making these mistakes. This will ensure the claim gets off to a good start and that you have a strong case when it’s time to negotiate for a settlement. With over 40 years of combined experience practicing law, the legal team at D’Agosto & Howe knows how to help clients secure the compensation they deserve. Visit their website to learn more, or call (203) 712-0210 to schedule an initial consultation today.