Settling Your Personal Injury Claim After Physical Therapy
If you get hurt in an accident, physical therapy may play a crucial role in your recovery. The cost of this treatment should be reflected in your insurance settlement — both the immediate expenses and the ones you’re likely to incur in the future. At Demas Law Group, we can help you pursue maximum compensation to cover your physical therapy and other rehabilitation during the settlement process. If the insurance company won’t settle, rest assured that our personal injury attorneys won’t hesitate to take your case to trial in pursuit of a fair result.
With more than 25 years of experience representing injured people, our law firm is committed to seeing justice served. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys in California.
Should I Wait to Settle My Case Until I Finish Physical Therapy?
In most cases, waiting until you complete physical therapy (PT) before settling your personal injury claim is wise. Reasons for this include:
- Understanding the full extent of injuries – Physical therapy often reveals the full scope of your injuries and their long-term effects.
- Attaining maximum medical improvement – Completing PT helps ensure you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), the point where no further treatment is expected to improve your condition. This will give your personal injury lawyer a clearer picture of your future needs when placing a value on your case.
- Gaining a stronger negotiating position – A complete therapy record strengthens your position during insurance negotiations, demonstrating the severity of the injury and what it has cost you, both financially and personally.
If you rush to settle before finishing physical therapy, you risk underestimating your damages and accepting less money than you deserve.
Will Physical Therapy Increase My Settlement Amount?
The physical therapy effects on claims can be substantial, often leading to higher settlements that more accurately reflect the true cost of your injuries. Being prescribed physical therapy by a doctor substantiates the fact that an injury occurred and provides proof of how it has disrupted your life.
For instance, PT records provide concrete evidence of your injuries and the need for ongoing treatment. Receipts showing the medical bills, co-pays, and payments you made for any home PT equipment can provide proof of the financial expenditures you have made due to your injury.
Furthermore, regular therapy sessions can illustrate the pain and challenges you endured. Your therapy history can also help project any future medical expenses related to your injury.
Who Pays if I Need Long-Term PT?
If you require long-term physical therapy due to your accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company should cover these costs. However, securing compensation for ongoing treatment in personal injury claims can be challenging. This is where having a skilled legal representative becomes crucial. At Demas Law Group, we work diligently to ensure your settlement accounts for all current and future medical needs, including long-term physical therapy. We negotiate effectively with insurance companies so you can focus on your recovery without financial stress.
How Can a California Personal Injury Lawyer Maximize My Compensation?
A personal injury lawyer can employ many strategies to recover meaningful compensation by:
- Recovering critical evidence to demonstrate the severity of your injury and the other party’s liability
- Leveraging their knowledge of California personal injury law and what other people with cases similar to yours have recovered in the past when placing a value on your case
- Using effective negotiating tactics to counter lowball settlement offers and demand maximum compensation
- Preparing your case as if it will go to trial so the insurance company knows you won’t settle for less
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit (if necessary) and arguing your case in front of a judge or jury
While most personal injury cases settle out of court, preparing for trial can result in higher settlement offers.
At Demas Law Group, we are committed to maximizing your compensation. Our team will guide you through every step of the settlement process, prioritizing your recovery and protecting your rights.
Evaluating Pain and Suffering After Physical Therapy
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in evaluating pain and suffering for your personal injury claim. Physical therapists provide detailed reports on your progress, pain levels, and limitations. Extended PT also helps demonstrate the lasting effects of your injuries on daily life. Furthermore, your physical therapist can bolster your claim by offering professional insights into your condition.
What if I Settle Too Early?
Settling your personal injury claim too early can have serious consequences, including:
- Undervalued claim – You may not receive full compensation for all your injuries and ongoing treatment needs.
- Unforeseen complications – Some injuries may worsen over time, leading to additional expenses not covered by an early settlement.
- Waived rights – You typically cannot reopen your case once you settle, even if new injury-related issues arise.
Our experienced California personal injury lawyers can help you avoid the pitfalls of premature settlement, fighting to secure fair compensation for all aspects of your injury.
Pros and Cons of Settling vs. Going to Court
Understanding the benefits and risks of settling versus going to court is crucial for making an informed decision. Every personal injury case is unique, but there are some general pros and cons to choosing each path.
Consider these advantages and disadvantages of a settlement:
- Pros – Faster resolution, guaranteed compensation, and less stress
- Cons – Possibility of lower compensation and lack of accountability for the at-fault party
Here’s what to think about before going to trial:
- Pros – Potential for higher compensation, a public record of the incident that caused your injuries, and a sense of justice served
- Cons – Takes longer, an uncertain outcome, higher costs
The seasoned California personal injury attorneys at Demas Law Group will help you weigh these factors based on the specifics of your case and your individual preferences.
Get Help From Our California Personal Injury Attorneys Today
After an accident someone else caused, you deserve full compensation that gives you the financial freedom to access the medical treatment you need, including physical therapy. The California personal injury attorney at Demas Law Group can help. With a track record of success that includes numerous seven-figure settlements and verdicts for our clients, you can trust that our lawyers have the knowledge and skills to pursue top-dollar results and settle for nothing less.
Contact Demas Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review your case, answer your questions, and provide the guidance you need to move forward confidently.