While settling a personal injury is the goal of every injured individual who wants to recover compensation for his/her medical bills, lost wages, and other damages, settling a claim BEFORE your treatment is complete is a huge mistake. But why?
You have probably heard that you must settle a personal injury claim only when your medical condition has reached a point of not improving and not getting any worse. In other words, if your medical treatment has not been finished, do not settle, our Los Angeles personal injury attorney at the Compass Law Group, LLP says.
Even if your doctor estimated how many medical procedures you are expected to have or how long your treatment is going to last, do not settle before your treatment is complete, as no one ever knows for sure is your treatment will go 100% as expected.
Should you wait until treatment is complete to settle?
It is generally advised to wait until treatment is complete before settling a personal injury claim, and there is a legitimate explanation for that: your medical bills could unexpectedly skyrocket after you settle – either because your medical condition gets worse or you will require more treatments than initially predicted by doctors – and you will most likely not be able to seek additional compensation if you have already settled the claim.
However, if you have suffered severe injuries and it will take a long time to complete treatment, you could choose to settle a personal injury claim before full recovery with the help of a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. But before you accept any settlement, your attorney will estimate the full value of your past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other damages, and take other factors that may be relevant to your case into account.
In addition to asking your doctor to estimate the length of your medical treatment, how many procedures will be required, and how much the treatment will cost, you will also require a skilled medical professional to establish your anticipated recovery time and the amount of weeks, months, or years you will have to be off work during your treatment.
Here at the Compass Law Group, LLP our best personal injury attorneys in California retain skilled doctors and physicians who can provide you with such estimations in order to settle a claim before your treatment is complete.
Why it matters so much
Do note, however, that the cost, length and expected outcome of the treatment is all just an estimate and can be subjective. Some people respond to certain treatments well, others do not. Some people reach full recovery after just one procedure, while others may need three such procedures to reach the same outcome.
Some medical conditions are impossible to predict, which is why waiting to settle your claim until treatment is complete would be a safe bet. Our Los Angeles personal injury attorney warns that if you choose to settle your case before your treatment is complete, you may not be able to reopen your case to seek additional compensation if anything changes in your treatment or if additional expenses add up.
Speak to our experienced lawyers at the Compass Law Group, LLP, to determine which option is the best in your particular case.
