Should I stay at home to rest and recuperate or seek qualified medical care? | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Client 1 comes to our law firm several weeks after their car accident injury and explains that besides one visit to the emergency room they rehabilitated by staying at home for two weeks to mend their body. Client 2 goes to the emergency room, is told to follow up with their family doctor, does so, and the family doctor refers that victim to an appropriate specialist and for other physical therapy. All other things being equal the second client will be paid a more significant sum for their personal injuries than the client who rested their bones for two weeks at home.

Insurance adjusters are simply trained to look for qualified medical care and documentation, as well as the expenses associated with it. Client 1 will receive inadequate compensation if injured the same as client 2, because there is no qualified documentation of the significance of the injuries following the emergency room visit, especially assuming that no doctor issued a note saying that client 1 should remain off of work for the two-week period. Documentation, evidence, expenses always trump the injured clients “word” that they were hurt and could not get up off the couch.

About the editors: The motto at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharplaw firm is simple –“All we do is injury law.” We hope you were able to find the answer to your injury query. If not, please review our North and South Carolina Accident Attorney FAQ library for additional information. If you’d like to speak to an actual attorney about your potential injury claim for free, please contact our office at (833) 997-1774.

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