A sizeable number of people in America have apprehensions about visiting the doctor or seeking out medical care, even if they are injured or ill. Whether this apprehension stems from a fear of doctors or germs or just an unwillingness to spend the money on multiple treatment sessions, not seeking medical attention and treatment after a personal injury accident can cause multiple problems for the personal injury victim. To be sure:
You may end up making your injuries worse and/or your disabilities may last longer;
You increase the time it takes to make a recovery from your injury;
You make it difficult to recover full compensation for your injuries from the at-fault party; and
You may have a challenging time connecting your injuries to the personal injury incident that caused them.
There is a difference between seeking immediate emergency medical care and seeking ongoing treatment from someone like a physical therapist. While you should seek emergency medical treatment after almost every personal injury incident, is physical therapy always necessary?
When Your Emergency Doctor Recommends Physical Therapy
If the doctor or medical professional who initially treats you recommends that you follow up with physical therapy, it is a good idea to do so. Failure to follow your treating doctor’s orders can be seen as a failure to mitigate your injuries: in other words, the defendant in a personal injury lawsuit can argue that because you failed to follow your doctor’s recommendations, you unreasonably increased the severity of your own injuries. This can result in you receiving less compensation than you otherwise would obtain.
When Your Treating Doctor Does Not Make a Recommendation
If your treating physician does not mention physical therapy, you have more discretion. (Although, if a reasonable person in your situation would seek out physical therapy, it would be best for you to do so.) Consider the benefits that physical therapy can provide to you:
- Physical therapy for a Las Vegas injury can help relieve pain, especially after back or neck injuries;
- Physical therapy can help you regain your range of motion; and
- Physical therapy can help you relearn skills your muscles “forgot” how to perform (such as walking, grasping objects, and similar skills).
Cost may be a deterrent for some who would otherwise want to seek physical therapy services. You should know that compensation for your physical therapy expenses may be available even if your doctor did not order or even recommend these services. You will want to speak with your personal injury lawyer about whether compensation for physical therapy expenses might be available in your case if this concerns you.
Where to Turn for Help After a Personal Injury Accident
When you have been injured by someone else’s reckless conduct and you are confused about what you should do next, contact the Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at the Ladah law firm. We will advise you of your legal rights and can help you decide what medical treatment and services would be appropriate to seek in your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so contact us today to schedule your free consultation by calling (702) 252-0055.